A lot of auction houses celebrated a very prosperous year in 2022, but for RM Sotheby’s, 2022 was a year unlike any other, with some amazing and unique cars selling all over the world and values and sales that completely shattered records and changed the rules of classic car auctions. With auctions, private sales, and the new Sotheby’s Sealed platform included, the house’s total sales for the year reached an astounding $925 million. 2022 brought about more growth for the auction house because 38% of the bidders this year were new customers.
The sale of the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupé,” which was purchased from the Mercedes-Benz Museum for an astounding estimated $143 million, was the highlight of the entire year. Previous opinions of the auto market have been completely upended as a result of this sale, from which proceeds were donated to charity. Another high point was the record-breaking $239 million Monterey Sale at the renowned Monterey Car Week, where only one vehicle, a 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider by Scaglietti, sold for more than $22 million. With 26 auctions taking palace this year, and nearly a billion dollars in sales, RM Sotheby’s had one of its most remarkable years ever this year, and with the upcoming sale of the previously hidden, one-off Bugatti Chiron Profilée in February.
