SUBSCRIBE TO THE
MAGAZINE NOW
Facebook-f Instagram

US Auction Report: an enthusiastic start to the new year

20 February, 2015

December is a relatively quiet month in the American classic-car community, particularly this year with much of the country in the grips of a record cold winter, and auctions and collector events few and far between. But it is an excellent time to reflect on the year just past and polish the crystal ball for predictions regarding the coming 12 months. As always there are those who predict a ‘bubble burst’ as prices continue to rise across every segment of the classic-car world; but today’s typical buyer is a hugely knowledgeable and passionate enthusiast. The current market is also largely driven by the love of a particular automobile and is far less precarious than one that is driven by trend, rumour, and greed.

In analyzing the results of the major US auction houses in 2014, it is the very top end of the market that has seen the largest increase. In defining ‘top end’ it is important to remember that these are not ordinary classic or collector cars, or even most models within the exotic category, such as Ferrari. These are the rarest, most desirable, and impeccably restored or maintained examples of any marque or genre.

The best and most highly documented examples of these cars often seem to command sums where price is no object when uber-wealthy collectors compete to add them to their impressive stables. Ferrari, as has been the case for many years, leads this pack and includes the world record-breaking sale of a 1962–’63 GTO at US$38,115,000 in August, in first place.

Actually all of the top-10 auction sales in 2014 involved a Ferrari, and over the past 12 months auction prices for the finest Ferraris have risen a staggering 43 per cent. At only slightly lower dollar figures, the same pattern holds true for the rarest and most desirable models within many marques including Porsches, Shelby Cobras and Italian exotics.

The best, most unique, and most powerful examples of American muscle cars from the mid 1960s to 1971 also experienced tremendous price growth over the past year, with auction increases of 38 per cent over the 12-month period. More than a few jaws dropped in Seattle last June when the only surviving numbers-matching four-speed convertible 1971 Hemi Cuda hammered at US$3.5M for a new Mopar world record. Increasingly, the Corvette stratosphere, which was largely the domain of rare C1s and C2s, now includes the rarest of 1968–’71 C3s, as price tags for these previously underrated cars soared to well over US$1M in 2014 .

Back in the ‘real’ world where most of us reside, prices have continued to rise, albeit at much more reasonable rates. British cars have enjoyed a very good year at auction almost across the board, with Austin-Healeys, Jaguar XKs and E-Types and Sunbeam Tigers up front, with increases at an average of 10 per cent over 2013.

A quick start to 2015

This year started with a bang, with over 10 major auctions and many minor ones across the nation in January alone. The wealthy desert enclave of Scottsdale, Arizona, is host to five of these mega auctions, with Barrett-Jackson’s sale on January 10–18 leading the way for the other major houses of Russo and Steele, Bonhams, RM Auctions and Gooding and Co. Between these five houses 2014 Scottsdale sales exceeded US$249M, and expectations were for even greater results in 2015.

In short, the year is off to a very nice start here in the American collector-car world, with much to look forward to in the coming months. I am off to see what further bargains Mecum holds, and hopefully to secure a few  including a truly lovely Ferrari Dino for a client and perhaps something far less extravagant for myself!

Upcoming events:

  • March 13: Gooding & Co. Amelia Island, Amelia Island, Florida (very high end, goodco.com)
  • March 21–22: DE Foeller Classic Car Auction, Palmetto, Florida (over 300cars, defoellersales.net)
  • March 27–29: Auctions America Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (over 500 cars, auctionsamerica.com)
  • April 9–12: Mecum Houston, Houston, Texas (over 1000 cars, mecum.com)
  • April 17–19: Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, Florida (barrett-jackson.com)
  • April 22–26: Carlisle Spring Autofest, Carlisle, Pennsylvania (over 2000 cars for sale in ‘car corral’)
  • May 7–9: Auctions America Auburn, Auburn, Indiana (over 400 cars, auctionsamerica.com)

NZ Classic Car magazine, November/December 2026 issue 408, on sale now

18 October, 2026

Star status for classic Porsche
A long search ends: finding the right car
Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963, the Porsche 911 heralded an iconic lineage of sports cars, known for their exceptional performance, remarkable racing reliability, and adaptability, second to none.
New Zealand Classic Car, in conjunction with Star Insure, recently conducted a photo competition to find 13 suitably impressive classics to grace the pages of the magazine’s 2027 calendar. A flood of entries showed that Kiwis recognise eye-catching designs and restorations. Many are handy with a camera, too, and have entered some outstanding results.
The choice was not straightforward, with multiple stunning entries, and Geoff Long’s immaculate 1990 Porsche 911 (964 Factory designation) took top honours. Fortunately, Geoff had Ethan Hanlon handy to take the accompanying photos while working in his office.
“I’ve got a young employee who is doing work experience in my office at the moment, and he’s a very avid photographer. So, I said, I’ll buy you breakfast and then why don’t we go and take some photos. He found the right spot, and he spent over an hour photographing.”
Originally sold new in Japan, hence the right-hand drive, the Porsche was resident there for four years before being exported to New Zealand, as Geoff recalls.
“I bought it two-and-a-half years ago, but I looked for it for over two years, because it’s just the colour scheme, interior and exterior I was after. The service file that came with it is extensive; I mean, it’s been beautifully looked after, which is what I wanted to continue, as it does get driven. It doesn’t sit in the garage.”

Classics on the green

16 October, 2026

Many pretenders vie for the title, but the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance gets my vote as the biggest thing since sliced bread.
The 71st edition of the world’s pre-eminent and best-known concours event featured 28 classes, judged by a 180-strong jury, which also chose the recipients of 26 special awards.
The size of the event, the number of visitors, and, most mind-numbingly, the sheer number of amazing cars, is almost overwhelming. There are so many quality cars to gaze upon, and so many people gazing at those cars, that it is almost impossible to cover everything.
Notable among the many attractions were the centenary celebrations of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, an elegant Talbot-Lago Grand Sport, Hermann Graber’s Swiss-bodied cabriolets and coupés, the jewels of Otto Vu Italian V8s, early Alfa Romeos, Lincoln and its centenary, and cars with unorthodox propulsion systems.