RM Sotheby’s achieved global transaction sales of over $887 million USD in 2024, marking one of the most successful years in its history. With live and online auctions, Sealed auctions, and private sale transactions, the company continued to connect collectors with some of the most significant and desirable cars in the world.
The numbers reflect the strength and resilience of the market, with RM Sotheby’s achieving a 96% sell-through rate across its three primary sales platforms. Further contributing to its growth, RM Sotheby’s enduring partnership with Sotheby’s has opened doors to significant new buyers and consignors worldwide, allowing the company to continue setting benchmarks in the collector car market. Clients from 54 countries purchased cars, while bidders from 82 countries participated, highlighting the company’s truly global appeal. In 2024, 51% of bidders and 65% of buyers were new to RM Sotheby’s, reinforcing its ability to bring fresh participants into the collector car community. Over 126 cars sold for more than $1 million.
Groundbreaking sales such as the Dare to Dream Collection and continued success at Monterey Car Week exemplify RM Sotheby’s ability to achieve remarkable results across high-profile events. In 2024, the company expanded its footprint with two new auctions in Dubai, returning to the Middle East after its first sale in the region in 2019. This area has proven to be a growing hub for buyers and sellers, enhancing RM Sotheby’s global reach.
“2024 has been a monumental year for RM Sotheby’s, marked by great achievements and landmark consignments that showcased the strength of the collector car market. From record-breaking sales like the Dare to Dream Collection and Rudi Klein’s legendary Junkyard to groundbreaking events such as ModaMiami and our debut in Dubai, we’ve continued to innovate,” says Gord Duff, President of RM Sotheby’s.
“At RM Sotheby’s, innovation is at the core of everything we do. Although we’ve been in business for over 40 years, we operate with the mindset of breaking into the market—constantly pushing forward. We don’t wait for the market or trends to shift; instead, while others focus on catching up, we are already exploring new spaces, developing ideas, and shaping the future of the collector car industry. Our approach is never reactive; it’s proactive, ensuring we remain at the forefront,” Duff continues.
“When I step back and look at 2024, I’m constantly amazed by the caliber of cars we handle each year. Throughout the year, we had the privilege of working with some of the most significant, rare, limited-production, and best-in-category cars I’ve ever seen. Looking to 2025, we are already preparing for our biggest European sale to date and the highly anticipated Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum Collection coming to market. None of this would be possible without our incredible clients, dedicated team, and global community of enthusiasts. As we look to 2025 and beyond, I’ve never been more confident in RM Sotheby’s ability to stay at the top of the industry.”
Driving Growth Through Talent and Collaboration
RM Sotheby’s is committed to strengthening its global network by hiring the best talent in the industry, adding experienced specialists with stellar reputations to its team. Internally, these investments ensure the company continues to deliver exceptional expertise and service to clients worldwide. Externally, RM Sotheby’s is forging partnerships with leaders in the digital and social media spaces to showcase its cars and collections to wider audiences, driving engagement and attracting new buyers to its offerings. These efforts are further amplified by millions of placements in global media, nearly 20 million visitors to the company’s website, and 125 million social media impressions, with millions engaging each week.
RM Sotheby’s Highlights:
Dare to Dream: The Toronto-based Dare to Dream Collection became RM Sotheby’s largest on-site private collection sale in history, achieving over $69.2 million USD ($95 million CAD) across three no-reserve auctions, with both online and live components. With 100% of all lots sold and over 1,000 bidders from 41 countries, the sales included $65.5 million USD ($89.9 million CAD) in cars and motorcycles and $3.7 million USD ($5.1 million CAD) in sneakers and memorabilia. Highlights included a record-breaking 1972 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV at $4.9 million USD ($6.72 million CAD), the 1972 Nike Waffle Racing “Moon Shoe” at $306,000 USD ($419,638 CAD), and Michael Jordan’s rookie-era Air Jordan 1 game sneakers at $162,000 USD ($222,161 CAD).
The Rudi Klein “Junkyard” Collection: The Rudi Klein Collection achieved $29.6 million in sales, nearly doubling its $17 million pre-sale low estimate, with 100% of lots sold through live and online sales. Capturing the world’s attention unlike any other sale of its kind, it was truly a spectacle. Bidders from 39 countries and 36 US states participated, with nearly one-third being first-time participants. Highlights included a record-setting 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Alloy’ Gullwing ($9,355,000), a 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K ‘Caracciola’ Special Coupe ($4,130,000), and a 1939 Horch 855 Special Roadster ($3,305,000). Featuring three Lamborghini Miuras, led by the 1968 Miura P400 ($1,325,000), the auction brought long-hidden automotive treasures to new homes.
Monterey 2024: RM Sotheby’s proved the market’s resilient strength at Monterey Car Week with $161.2 million in sales and multiple auction records. Selling 87.25% of lots, including 33 over $1 million and 5 exceeding $5 million, the auction drew bidders from 39 countries. Highlights included the $17 million 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, the top lot sold during Monterey Car Week, the record-breaking Ferrari F50 at $5.5 million, and the Ferrari 410 Sport Spider at $12.985 million.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Collection: Announced by RM Sotheby’s in 2024 as the most valuable collection ever to come to market, this historic three-part auction series will take place in February 2025 in Stuttgart, Paris, and Miami, with proceeds benefiting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Highlights include the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen (Stuttgart), the 1965 Le Mans-winning Ferrari 250 LM (Paris), and the Corvette SS Project XP-64 and Holman-Moody 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II (Miami). This unparalleled collection offers a rare opportunity to acquire legendary, unobtainable racers.
ModaMiami 2024: ModaMiami was a groundbreaking event in the luxury and automotive lifestyle worlds, seamlessly blending world-class automobiles, premier brands, and vibrant cultural experiences. Setting a new standard for high-end events, it drew record attendance and engagement, solidifying its place as a must-attend showcase on the global stage. Building on this incredible success, RM Sotheby’s is thrilled to return in 2025, promising an even more dynamic and unforgettable experience for collectors, enthusiasts, and luxury connoisseurs alike.
Dubai 2024: RM Sotheby’s has continued to expand its EMEA operations by conducting two highly successful sales in Dubai, establishing a strong foothold in a territory where collector car auctions are still in their infancy. The first of the two sales grossed an excellent $17,381,045 USD in the fledgling market while the latest sale grossed a remarkable $27,914,325 USD. The latter was highlighted by the sale of the most valuable modern car ever sold, the 2014 Pagani Zonda LM Roadster at $11,086,250 USD.
Monaco 2024: The bi-annual sale in Monaco, always a highlight of the European calendar, proved to be the biggest that RM Sotheby’s has conducted in the Principality, grossing over €40,000,000, highlighted by the remarkable collection of former F1 World Champion Jody Scheckter, which realized a total of €12,523,550.
London 2024: RM Sotheby’s annual London sale moved to the prestigious new venue of the Peninsula London and grossed £18,293,215, making it the UK’s most successful collector car auction of 2024.
Peter Wallman, Chairman, UK, EMEA: “It has been a record year in the EMEA region, with a number of sales breaking all previous records supported by a constant stream of brand new registered bidders as well as buyers. We continue to consign some of the finest motor cars to be offered for sale anywhere in the world and our results prove that quality is still the greatest driver for successful auctions. Highlights such as our inaugural auction at the magnificent Peninsula London and hosting two brand new auctions in Dubai with such enormous success are testament to our hunger for innovation, our far-reaching ambition, and the exciting potential in markets which have not previously embraced the auction process. Our scheduled sales in 2025, especially with Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Streamliner and the largest and most valuable Paris sale that we will have ever curated, bodes well for the year to come.”
Sealed Auctions and Private Treaty
RM Sotheby’s Sealed platform continues to solidify its reputation as a trusted and discreet method for selling the world’s most exceptional vehicles. The platform has facilitated sales of cars with unparalleled provenance, including those from prestigious manufacturers, famous race car drivers, and storied collections. In 2024, Sealed achieved its highest annual sales to date, cementing its position as a premier outlet for the world’s most important motor cars. This year also saw record-breaking sales of multiple McLaren F1s, both via the Sealed platform and private treaty sale, establishing RM Sotheby’s as the clear market leader for one of the most iconic modern hypercars.
Throughout 2024, RM Sotheby’s Private and Sealed successfully transacted some of the finest vehicles spanning Pre-War classics, Post-War sports cars, and modern hypercars. Notable vehicles sold through Sealed include a 2004 Maserati MC12, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing, a 2015 Porsche 918 ‘Weissach’ Spyder, a 1995 McLaren F1, a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Alloy, a 1990 Porsche 911 Targa Reimagined by Singer, and a 2006 Ferrari 248 F1.
RM Sotheby’s enduring success lies in the trust clients place in its expertise and its ability to deliver exceptional results. By offering a seamless, high-value experience, RM Sotheby’s has set the standard for discretion, trust, and excellence in the collector car market. In 2024, the Sealed platform and private sales channels further reinforced RM Sotheby’s position as the definitive destination for transacting the world’s most desirable vehicles.
Shelby Myers, Head of Private Sales, RM Sotheby’s: “Our Sealed auctions have set a new standard in the collector car market, delivering an unmatched level of discretion, innovation, and results. In 2024, this platform proved its dominance by facilitating record-breaking sales, including three of RM Sotheby’s top 10 cars of the year—and the top three overall. These milestones, highlighted by iconic vehicles like the McLaren F1, demonstrate the power and potential of our forward-thinking approach. Building the Sealed platform wasn’t just about innovation; it was about redefining what’s possible in the collector car space. As we look ahead, we’re doubling down on this momentum, ensuring the platform continues to lead the market for years to come.”
2024, By the Numbers:
Auction Highlights:
Total Auctions: 41 across the following platforms:
- 15 Live Auctions
- 9 Online Auctions
- 17 Sealed Auctions
Over 50 auction records broken
126 cars sold for more than $1 million
Total Lots Offered: 5,211
Top Three Collections Sold:
- The Dare to Dream Collection: $69,217,196 USD in total sales
- The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection: $31,044,924 USD in total sales
- The Aumann Collection at Munich: $19,161,987 USD in total sales
Global Reach:
- Cars purchased from 54 countries
- Bidders from 82 countries
- 51% of bidders were first-time participants
- 65% of buyers were first-time participants
- 96% sell-through rate
- Over 19.4 million website pageviews
