If you are paying attention, you can almost feel the change at hand. A new wave of collectors is starting to make their mark on the classic car market, refining and redefining what it means to be an automobile collector. In many ways, this is the same sea change that many observed during the post-war period, when hopped-up hot rods were de rigueur and European sports cars started their ascendency. Today’s collectors value usable, engaging cars in the same ways their predecessors did.
Thankfully, the team at RM Sotheby’s is growing, and growing younger at the same time. With one of our longest-running auctions, the nineteenth annual Fort Lauderdale sale, we have an opportunity for our staff to choose their picks of what the future may hold. Hosting a healthy number of entries, from rally-derived, four-wheel-drive hatchbacks to twin-turbocharged JDM sports cars, and even an Amphicar, Fort Lauderdale has something to offer collectors of nearly any age and interest:
2005 Porsche Carrera GT
Estimate: $1,975,000 - $2,200,000 USD
“The market is only starting to wake up to how special these Porsche supercars truly were (and are). With its V-10 engine, all the lightweight and motorsport-spec materials, and crucially, the six-speed manual transmission, we can be sure that Porsche will never make another car like this one. This one in particular is even more special for its perfect color combination, carbon fiber interior details, and low mileage (1,315 miles total). A must-have addition to any supercar collection.” — Zach Oller, Specialist, Stuart, FL
1995 Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster
Estimate: $52,000 - $58,000 USD
“Every kid in the mid-to-late 1990s wanted a Dodge Viper (at least in Michigan). A few years ago, you could pick one up in the $30k range. Nowadays, like everything else, prices are rising, and they are getting harder to acquire. I’m still hoping I will own one someday!” — Ethan Gibson, PR Director, North America, Detroit, MI
2005 Ford GT
Estimate: $425,000 - $475,000 USD
“When I was younger, seeing a fast Ford was something I had never seen, and then when Jeremy Clarkson reviewed the car in an episode of Top Gear, I was completely in awe of it. I think still to this day it is respected as something completely different to the Fiesta and Mondeo models that Ford was also producing at the time. I think looking at its value for collectors today, the chance to purchase a 5.4 litre supercharged V-8 manual machine built by Ford is something particularly special, especially considering the possibility that Ford is ever going to build something like this again, with its push to electrification, seeming extremely unlikely. It’s also a very special modern-day interpretation in what was, and still is, one of the most recognisable Le Mans winners of all time, the GT40.” —William Driscoll, PR Writer, London, UK
2007 Ferrari F430 Spider
Estimate: $125,000 - $150,000 USD
“I can see the Ferrari F430 Spider ticking the boxes of most collectors. Most Ferraris, new or old, should at least hold their value for investors—if not reward them with a gradual rise over time. The F430 Spyder has it all. It’s highly usable while still presenting as very attractive and stylish. It’s the kind of model that was made in higher volume but many are driven regularly, so low-mileage examples should be sought after in the future. And after all, few could resist the open-top charm of a fast, red Ferrari…” — Henry Willis, Managing Editor, London, UK
1993 Toyota Supra Twin Turbo Sport Roof
Estimate: $115,000 - $145,000 USD
“The demand for cars like these within the JDM community has grown exponentially over the last 5-10 years (especially in North America). So many now have been bought and modified, crashed and generally had the living daylights driven out of them. So, the opportunity to own a low-milage original example such as this one is extremely rare; the removable roof and colour are fantastic, as is the six-speed gearbox. Definitely a model to look out for as the supply of these is extremely limited, even with the current prices. As the current ‘young’ generation get older and have more disposable income, they will turn to the cars they wanted in their early adult life—this would fall into that category. (I would buy it myself if I had the money!)” — Cyrus Panthaki, Catalogue Writer, London, UK
1938 Horch 853 Sport Cabriolet
Estimate: $350,000 - $400,000 USD
“It might be strange to pick a pre-war car as something that would appeal to the next generation, but the styling and the history of this Sport Cabriolet make me want to include it. Horch 853 models are consistent award-winners at car shows, one even won overall at Pebble Beach, while this model took home a National First Prize at the Classic Car Club of America in 1983. With gorgeous lines and impressive straight-eight performance, this is the perfect car for any fan of German engineering to show the roots of Audi.” — Jake O’Gorman, Specialist, Chatham, ON
1969 Austin America Coupe
Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000 USD | Offered Without Reserve
“Here in England, we call these 'Land Crabs.' They are neat cars that sold well in-period, but most have rusted out with the cost of restoration weighed against the price of the car, meaning very few have been saved. They’re not as loved as something like the Mini and so demand is low. However, I believe that these low prices won’t remain forever as similar British models creep up in value, people will start to notice the attractiveness of the price. Good examples are hard to find with export examples being extremely rare. They’re a great usable classic that can be maintained easily and with little cost. So, for a British car enthusiast it’s a great starter car and this example is pretty unique, and you’ll certainly stand out from the crowd.” — Cyrus Panthaki, Catalogue Writer, London, UK
2008 Honda S2000 CR
Estimate: $60,000 - $70,000 USD
“When I look at the cars that will gain ground over the next few years, I try to find cars that are limited in production, with naturally aspirated engines and manual transmissions. And they have to be adult-owned. This Honda S2000 CR is one of only 700 of the Club Racer models made for North America, with a great black-on-black-and-yellow color combination and only 14,805 miles. Not many were made, but these are definitely becoming collectible among JDM enthusiasts and sports car fans in general. My pick for a future classic.” — Cary Ahl, Specialist, Los Angeles, CA
1964 Plymouth Savoy Station Wagon
Estimate: $40,000 - $45,000 USD
“When I think of a 'next generation' classic, it has to be something with surprising performance and decent usability. This French Vanilla-colored Plymouth Savoy has a rebuilt engine to match the legendary 426 Max Wedge, one of the most powerful motors ever fitted in a Plymouth. It also has an automatic transmission so literally anyone can drive it. It’s won awards at car shows and you can put a ton of groceries in the back. Perfect car.” — Thatcher Keast, Specialist, Chatham, ON
1989 Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16V
Estimate: $40,000 - $50,000 USD
“If you look at the cars that are gaining ground with the next generation of buyers, at least in America, many are the overlooked cars that weren’t sold in mass quantities here. This car is a rally legend, with a four-wheel drive system and is from the first year of the 16-valve engine. It’s a great color combination too, with a totally rad multicolor interior. A future classic for sure.” — Michael Caimano, Specialist, New York, NY
1975 Maserati Bora 4.9
Estimate: $180,000 - $220,000 USD | Offered Without Reserve
“My pick for a next generation car is this Maserati Bora 4.9. Not many cars can say they look better with age, but this Giorgetto Giugiaro design looks more timeless than a lot of late-model supercars. It’s rare with this upgraded 4.9-litre engine; only 275 were made overall, and this example is numbers-matching. Also, it’s offered without reserve, so it gives younger buyers the opportunity to score a pretty legendary supercar that they could take to Concorso Italiano or just drive and enjoy.” — Pete Fisher, Specialist, Chatham, ON
With nearly every style of collecting represented in the hundreds of lots from RM Sotheby’s Fort Lauderdale 2022 auction, which would be your pick for a next generation collector car? Find out how each of these examples cross the block on 25-26 March 2022.
