RM Sotheby's Miami Results
RM Sotheby’s held the official auction at ModaMiami with $74,491,720 in total sales across the two day event. The remaining cars from the IMS Museum Collection were sold on Thursday and across the entire sale RM Sotheby’s achieved an 83% sell-through rate. Strong prices were in the cards in Miami with multiple world records set.
Top Ten Sales
The Ford GT40 Mk II played a crucial role in motorsports history. This was the car that finally allowed Ford to dominate Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After years of development, this car, powered by a robust 7.0-liter V8 engine, helped Ford achieve victory in 1966 with a remarkable 1-2-3 finish. This triumph marked the end of Ferrari’s dominance at Le Mans and established the GT40 as an emblem of American engineering skill and resolve.
Just eight examples of the GT40 Mk II were built and this one, sold by RM Sotheby’s in Miami, benefits from a full ownership history and documented racing success. It was offered from the IMS Museum Collection and was last shown outside the museum in 2011. This GT40 Mk II was very well-sold, setting a new world record price at $13,205,000.
The 1908 Mercedes 17.3-Liter 150 HP ‘Brookland’ Semmering Rennwagen is a one-of-a-kind competition car built by the factory. It clinched victory in the Semmering Hill Climb during both 1908 and 1909, with Otto Salzer at the wheel. In 1909, Mercedes outfitted this vehicle with its notable 17.3-liter engine. Its history from inception to present day has been thoroughly recorded, maintaining much of its original form. From 1907 onwards, the Mercedes ‘Brookland’ enjoyed considerable success on the race track, continuing its winning streak into 1913.
Offered from the IMS Museum Collection since 1964, this benefits from a complete race history that undoubtedly helped it achieve a strong result in Miami. It was well-sold at $8,255,000.
The 1957 Chevrolet Corvette SS Project XP-64, headed by Zora Arkus-Duntov, marked Chevrolet’s bold venture into dedicated racing vehicles. Featuring a lightweight tubular frame and magnesium body, it was equipped with a robust 283-cubic-inch V8 engine. Despite facing mechanical difficulties and excessive heat during its debut at the 1957 12 Hours of Sebring, the XP-64 highlighted pioneering engineering concepts. Its plans for competing in Le Mans were halted due to a racing ban imposed by the Automobile Manufacturers Association. After being available for sale for the first time since its donation to the IMS Museum, the car was well-sold for $7,705,000—surpassing the pre-auction estimate.
The Ferrari F50, manufactured between 1995 and 1997, served as a milestone supercar marking the 50th anniversary of Ferrari. It brought Formula 1 technology directly to the road. Equipped with a naturally aspirated 4.7-liter V12 engine sourced from Ferrari’s racing cars, along with a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis and an aerodynamically optimized design, the F50 provided a thrilling driving experience. Due to its limited production run of only 349 units, these cars are always a highlight at auction.
This example, certified by Ferrari Classiche in 2013, was very well-sold setting a new world record at $5,532,500.
The Ferrari F40, introduced in 1987 to celebrate Ferrari’s 40th anniversary, represented Enzo Ferrari’s last personal venture and stands as a significant supercar. Created with an emphasis on peak performance, it boasts a lightweight body made from carbon fiber and Kevlar, a tubular steel space frame, and a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V8 engine. As the first mass-produced vehicle to surpass 200 mph, it quickly became iconic, epitomizing pure driving experience. Its limited production run and pioneering technology have ensured its place among the most esteemed and sought-after supercars of the 1980s and 1990s.
This example included its owner’s manual and original warranty book as well as the famed Ferrari Classiche Red Book. It was well-sold at $3,580,000.
Produced in the late 1930s Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A is the absolute pinnacle of pre-war luxury and performance. It featured a supercharged 5.4-liter straight-eight engine that provided impressive power and smooth acceleration for its era. The vehicle stood out with its graceful lines and carefully designed interior, making it an emblem of wealth and exclusivity. Its extended hood, flowing fenders, and convertible roof showcased the distinct art deco style prevalent at the time.
The example offered by RM Sotheby’s in Miami is one of just 32 examples of the second-series Cabriolet A built. It features a matching-numbers engine and wears an award-winning restoration that has withstood the test of time. This was fairly well-bought at $2,920,000.
The Porsche 959 SC, reimagined by Canepa, represents a substantially enhanced version of the original Porsche 959 supercar. Initially designed as a “Komfort” model, this vehicle underwent significant modifications by Canepa Motorsports to become an exceptional example featuring an engine with 825 horsepower and a 2.85-liter twin-turbocharged configuration, along with various performance enhancements. The exterior boasts a paint-to-sample Emerald Green finish paired with Dark Green leather interiors. The extensive build process required over 4,000 hours, during which more than 3,000 parts were either restored or upgraded, resulting in a machine that is essentially rejuvenated.
This was well-bought at $2,865,000 and will surely be enjoyed thoroughly by its new owner.
The Porsche Carrera GT was the mid-2000s supercar that epitomized Porsche’s engineering prowess. It featured a naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V10 engine developed from a canceled Le Mans prototype project, a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, and a classic six-speed manual transmission, offering an unadulterated driving experience. Renowned for its exceptional handling, raw power, and distinctive engine note, the Carrera GT was a classic before it left the showrooms.
The 2005 Porsche Carrera GT sold by RM Sotheby’s in Miami had covered less than 4,600 miles since new meaning it has enough mileage to be driven and enjoyed, while still remaining a relatively low mileage car. It features contrasting seatbelts and other cosmetic options that were only available for the 2005 model year. This was well-sold at $1,545,000.
Introduced for 2015, the McLaren P1 GTR was a limited-production supercar designed specifically for track use. It served as the pinnacle of the P1 platform and was available only to existing owners of the McLaren P1. The GTR delivered notable performance improvements over its road-going counterpart by increasing power output, reducing weight, and refining aerodynamics. Its design included a more assertive appearance with an enlarged rear wing and a pared-back interior, providing drivers with an unmatched experience on the racetrack.
McLaren built a total of 58 examples of the P1 GTR and the one sold by RM Sotheby’s in Miami was the 23rd completed. It spent its life being maintained by McLaren for private track usage. It was well-bought at $1,435,000 – a little below the pre-auction estimate, but the track limitation sharply decreases the number of potential buyers.
Introduced in 1927, the Bugatti Type 35B was a remarkable racing car that reinforced Bugatti’s reputation for exceptional engineering and dominance on the track. It came equipped with a supercharged 2.3-liter straight-eight engine, providing more power than its predecessors, the earlier Type 35 models. Known for its lightweight build, precise handling, and elegant design, the Type 35B secured numerous wins at Grand Prix races and other motorsport events during the late 1920s and early 1930s. The car’s iconic horseshoe grille and distinctive wire wheels became emblematic of Bugatti’s racing legacy, establishing the Type 35B as one of the most celebrated and influential racing cars of its time.
The 1930 Bugatti Type 35B sold by RM Sotheby’s in Miami featured a known history since it was new until it joined the IMS Museum Collection in 1960. It’s a matching-numbers car with its original engine, chassis frame, and rear axle. While it may not have the same appeal as something like the GT40 Mk II, this Bugatti was well-sold at $1,380,000.
Next for RM Sotheby's
The next major auction from RM Sotheby’s will be in Milan on May 22, 2025 and is expected to feature around 50 classic and collectible vehicles.