RM Sotheby's pulled off a remarkable result at this year's Amelia Island sales, posting a 95% sell-through rate and a $42 million total for its two-day auction. Strong bidding saw a 1929 Duesenberg Model J 'Disappearing Top' Torpedo emerge as the star performer, smashing its $3.5-4 million estimate, hammered away for $5,725,000
1995 Ferrari F50 – ©2021 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's
All nine Ferraris on offer changed hands. Stand-out results included a US-spec 1995 F50 with 5,147miles at $3,772,500 (est. $3.4-3.75m); a 1968 275 GTB/4 in single-family ownership since 1973 fetched a top-estimate $2,810,000; and a 13,442-mile concours-award winning 1971 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider that was exhibited at the 1972 New York Auto Show went for $2,452,500 (est. $2.25-2.75m).
Mercedes-Benz 500K/540K Spezial Roadster – © Bonhams
Pre-1940s machinery featured heavily among the big-ticket entries in Bonhams' Amelia Island catalogue, its 1934 Mercedes-Benz 500K/540K Spezial Roadster – purchased by the consignor at Bonhams' Mercedes-Benz Museum sale in 2014 for €3,105,000 – topped the results at $4,900,000 (est. $4.5-5m).
Aston Martin DB6 Volante – © Bonhams
Aston Martin DB6s enjoyed a healthy auction month with 11 crossing the block in May, all of which found new homes. Notably, Silverstone Auctions sold its 1967 Volante which had been upgraded to Vantage Spec for £380,250 (est. £340-390k), while Bonhams' 1968 Volante with a manual gearbox drew £425,500 (est. £400-500k) – both cars requiring recommissioning following long-term storage.
Subaru Impreza 22B – © Silverstone Auctions
Silverstone Auctions set new auction records for two rally icons at its May sale, with a 49,000-mile 1999 Subaru Impreza 22B – one of only 16 UK cars – bringing £171,000 (est. £120-140k) and a 5,400-km one-owner 1995 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo 2 'Edizione Finale' at £218,250 (est. £145-165k).
Porsche 911 Turbo S – © Historics
Historics maintained its 100% open-to-public auction format, returning to Ascot Racecourse for its second event of the year. Highlights included a 45,586-mile 1988 Porsche 911 Turbo S, one of only 26 right-hand drive examples produced, which sold for a mid-estimate £279,000, and a partially completed restoration project 1971 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL that quickly passed its £29-36k estimate, selling for £94,080.
Full May results here:
