RM Auctions returned to Florida last weekend, April 6-7, for the company’s 16th annual Fort Lauderdale sale, where a total of $19.1 million in total sales was achieved, with a strong 76 percent sell-through rate. The total tops the sale’s 2017 performance, notably with a smaller, higher-quality offering of 335 cars compared to last year’s 408. Bidders at Fort Lauderdale represented 44 states across the U.S., as well as 30 countries (11 in 2017). Fort Lauderdale was the first sale held under the RM Auctions banner following the integration of former subsidiary Auctions America last fall.
Top sellers were a pair of stunning Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs, each offered from significant long-term Michigan homes. The most valuable lot of the two-day auction was the 1962 300 SL Roadster (above, photo courtesy of RM Auctions), which drew significant interest both in the room and remotely, eventually selling to a bidder on the phone for a final $1,540,000. A late-production, European-specification Roadster featuring an alloy engine block and disc brakes, the never fully restored and lovingly maintained 300 SL was offered from four decades of single ownership with a mere 36,600 original miles. Not far behind was the 1957 300 SL Gullwing (below, photo courtesy of RM Auctions), which also incited a bidding battle between parties in the room and on the phone, eventually hammering for a final $1,193,500. The Gullwing was offered directly from its owner since 1968, and following four decades of exhibition in various Indiana museums. Significantly, 100 percent of hammer proceeds from the Gullwing’s sale will be donated by the consignor to the renovation efforts of his local YMCA in Jackson, Michigan. The 300 SLs represent the first pair of million-dollar lots sold at the Fort Lauderdale event.
“We’re thrilled with the results of our Fort Lauderdale sale this past week,” said Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions, RM Sotheby’s Group, following the event. “We saw strong prices across all categories, with the deserving Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs bringing numerous bidders and top dollar in today’s market.”
The event’s additional highlights included pre- and post-War classics such as the multi award-winning 1932 Packard Twin Six Individual Custom Sport Phaeton in the style of Dietrich at $374,000, a 1949 Bentley B Special Speed 8 at $365,750, and an AACA and CCCA prize-winning 1946 Lincoln Continental Cabrioletat $107,250. Late model and modern collectibles were also in high demand, with a 10.8-mile, single owner 2006 Ford GT offered without reserve sold for $352,000, a very rare 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC 6.0 AMG “Wide-Body” sold at $110,000, and a U.S.-specification 1990 Lamborghini LM002 LM/Americansold for $368,500.
The top 10 lots from RM Auctions’ Fort Lauderdale sale are listed below, and complete results are available at www.rmsothebys.com/results
RM Auctions Fort Lauderdale – Top Ten Sales
- 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (s/n 198.042.10.003069) – $1,540,000
- 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing (s/n 198.040.7500071) – $1,193,500
- 1932 Packard Twin Six Individual Custom Sport Phaeton (s/n 9067) – $374,000
- 1990 Lamborghini LM002 LM/American (s/n ZA9LU45AXLLA12243) – $368,500
- 1949 Bentley B Special Speed 8 (s/n B337DZ) – $365,750
- 2006 Ford GT (s/n 1FAFP90S36Y401960) – $352,000
- 2006 Ford GT (s/n 1FAFP90S26Y400881) – $330,000
- 2016 Porsche 911 R (s/n 430/991) – $300,000
- 1953 Cadillac Eldorado (s/n 536237197) – $242,000
- 1953 Chevrolet Corvette (s/n E53F001147) – $217,250
