{"id":412,"date":"2025-02-17T13:43:46","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T18:43:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.sothebysrealty.com\/2025\/02\/17\/collecting-focus-classic-cars\/"},"modified":"2025-02-17T13:43:46","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T18:43:46","slug":"collecting-focus-classic-cars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-classic-cars\/","title":{"rendered":"Collecting Focus: Classic Cars"},"content":{"rendered":"

At ModaMiami, RM Sotheby\u2019s will showcase an eclectic mix of motoring masterpieces and the shared experience that fuels car collectors worldwide, writes Thor Svaboe<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>ModaMiami<\/a> returns to the Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Miami. Photograph: RM Sotheby\u2019s<\/span><\/p>\n

While motoring is on the road to a more sustainable future, nothing can detract from the petrol-infused joy of a classic car. The rise of digital platforms has democratised access to rare and collectible automobiles, expanding the buyer base globally: enthusiasts can now connect, trade and share knowledge more easily, fostering a more inclusive community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Motoring events such as car rallies and Concours d\u2019Elegance<\/span>\u2014<\/span>the latter format dating back to 17th-century Paris<\/span>\u2014<\/span>have also adapted and diversified to modern tastes, with younger generations playing a larger role in shaping trends.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The milestone auction of <\/span>RM Sotheby\u2019s at ModaMiami <\/span><\/a>on February 27-28 will kick off what many predict will be a sterling year for car collecting, says Peter Wallman, the chairman for UK and EMEA at RM Sotheby\u2019s, who is enthusiastic about the vibrancy of the scene.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a dynamic to car collecting unlike any other collecting category. And that dynamic is going out, driving and sharing your passion with likeminded people,\u201d says Wallman. For his part, Wallman came into the car auction business from advertising more than two decades ago, having owned a 1961 Jaguar E-Type, and, more recently, a 1969 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2, which he uses to take the family on speedy runs across continental Europe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>A line up of classic cars at ModaMiami\u2019s 2024 edition. Photograph: RM Sotheby\u2019s<\/span><\/p>\n

Wallman loves \u201call areas of collecting\u201d<\/span>\u2014<\/span>including watches. \u201cBut if you\u2019re wearing a nice timepiece, it\u2019s not natural to go up and show it to somebody, whereas if you\u2019re driving a nice car or parking on a lawn for a Concours d\u2019Elegance, you\u2019re sharing it, sparking conversation and friendships.\u201d This extends to placing a classic car at the heart of your home. Garages are often designed to include a workshop where new generations can share the passion.<\/span><\/p>\n

ModaMiami, returning for a second year to the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Miami sees RM Sotheby\u2019s bring an eclectic mix of cars to auction. Prize lots range from a tiny <\/span>1959 Piaggio Vespa 400<\/span><\/a> with scooter-engine power to the 34ft-long, record-setting <\/span>Spirit of America Sonic I,<\/span><\/a> which in 1965, reached speeds of 600.601mph on the Bonneville salt flats of <\/span>northwestern Utah,<\/span> driven by its designer Craig Breedlove (it would also beat the women\u2019s land speed record at the hands of his wife, Lee).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Craig Breedlove\u2019s Spirit of America Sonic I. Photograph: RM Sotheby\u2019s \/ Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum<\/span><\/p>\n

These two extremes in power and presence underline the scope of the Miami auction, which is the third and final sale (following Stuttgart and Paris) in RM Sotheby\u2019s landmark series in partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf we look at the cars from Indianapolis, it\u2019s as much about the [individual] car, as how infrequently it might appear on the market,\u201d says Wallman. \u201cThese cars are not museum pieces, in the sense they\u2019re not antiquities. They are cars that can be enjoyed by their new owners. I\u2019m excited by that collection and seeing how the market will react to it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>A <\/span>1964 Ferrari 250 LM<\/span> from the Indianapolis collection at the Paris sale. Photograph: RM Sotheby\u2019s<\/span><\/p>\n

Increasingly, architects are briefed to see cars as integral to their owner\u2019s life: the scintillating red of a Ferrari Testarossa, for example, visible in the lounge from behind a glass partition, parked up in a workshop defined by bespoke fittings and gleaming white polished floors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYounger people are probably less likely than the older generation to have a warehouse full of 50 to 100 cars,\u201d says Wallman. \u201cThe driving force for the future is going to be events giving the community reasons to use them. And that driving event<\/span>\u2014<\/span>whether a race, a Concours, a garden party, or just personal use<\/span>\u2014<\/span>underlines the fun of collecting cars.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Find out more about <\/span><\/i>RM Sotheby\u2019s sale at ModaMiami.<\/span><\/i><\/a> Our Collecting Focus series also features expert advice on <\/span><\/i>wine<\/span><\/i><\/a>, <\/span><\/i>watches<\/span><\/i><\/a>, <\/span>historic books<\/span><\/i><\/a> and <\/span><\/i>Americana<\/span><\/i><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Need inspiration for your garage space? <\/span><\/i>Browse these ultimate homes for car collectors<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

At ModaMiami, RM Sotheby\u2019s will showcase an eclectic mix of motoring masterpieces and the shared experience that fuels car collectors worldwide, writes Thor Svaboe ModaMiami returns to the Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Miami. Photograph: RM Sotheby\u2019s While motoring is on the road to a more sustainable future, nothing can detract from the petrol-infused joy of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":232770368,"featured_media":343478,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1393],"tags":[1484],"class_list":["post-412","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-art-and-culture","tag-rm-sothebys"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/header-4.jpg","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pf4gbL-6E","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":342510,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/the-ultimate-homes-for-car-collectors\/","url_meta":{"origin":412,"position":0},"title":"The Ultimate Homes for Car Collectors","author":"SIR Admin","date":"August 15, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Far from cluttered storage spaces, these garages offer impressive designs fit for prestige vehicles, writes Natasha Levy McLean, Virginia |\u00a0TTR Sotheby's International Realty Automotive collectors the world over gather for Monterey Car Week (August 9-18), the annual event in California offering a thrilling program of showcases, races, unveilings and of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/image4-sized.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/image4-sized.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/image4-sized.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/image4-sized.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":387,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/significant-sales-2024-highlights\/","url_meta":{"origin":412,"position":1},"title":"Significant Sales: 2024 Highlights","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"January 6, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"From a US$74.25M sale in Palm Beach Florida, to a \u00a315.5M sale in London, England, here are ten of the top sales represented by the Sotheby\u2019s International Realty global network in 2024. Palm Beach, Florida Todd Peter, Frances Peter | Sotheby's International Realty \u2013 Palm Beach Brokerage, US$74.25M View Properties\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Market Insights"","block_context":{"text":"Market Insights","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/market-insights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bahamas1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bahamas1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bahamas1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bahamas1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bahamas1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bahamas1.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":411,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/sothebys-international-realty-expands-in-tennessee\/","url_meta":{"origin":412,"position":2},"title":"Sotheby’s International Realty Expands in Tennessee","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"February 15, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Sotheby's International Realty has announced that Realty Center of\u00a0Chattanooga\u00a0in\u00a0Tennessee\u00a0has joined the network and its two offices will now operate as Horizon Sotheby's International Realty. This addition signifies the brand's continued growth in\u00a0Tennessee\u00a0with six offices in the state. Horizon Sotheby's International Realty, headquartered in\u00a0Chattanooga, will serve communities spanning from\u00a0Athens, Tennessee, to\u00a0Dalton,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Brand News"","block_context":{"text":"Brand News","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/brand-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chatanooga.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chatanooga.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chatanooga.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chatanooga.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chatanooga.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chatanooga.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":430,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/sothebys-international-realty-expands-into-the-philippines\/","url_meta":{"origin":412,"position":3},"title":"Sotheby’s International Realty Expands into the Philippines","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"March 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Sotheby's International Realty today announced the opening of Philippines Sotheby's International Realty, marking its 18th\u00a0office in\u00a0Asia. The company is headquartered in the financial and commercial hub of\u00a0Makati. Leading Philippines\u00a0Sotheby's International Realty is\u00a0Catherine Ocariz-Florencio, a seasoned real estate professional with over 15 years of industry experience. As the 2019 president of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Brand News"","block_context":{"text":"Brand News","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/brand-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eibner-saliba-3T9dDY0WqDI-unsplash.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eibner-saliba-3T9dDY0WqDI-unsplash.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eibner-saliba-3T9dDY0WqDI-unsplash.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eibner-saliba-3T9dDY0WqDI-unsplash.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eibner-saliba-3T9dDY0WqDI-unsplash.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eibner-saliba-3T9dDY0WqDI-unsplash.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":415,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/significant-sales-january-2025-highlights\/","url_meta":{"origin":412,"position":4},"title":"Significant Sales: January 2025 Highlights","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"February 23, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"From a \u20ac$21M sale in Saint-Tropez, France, to a US$17.225M sale in Cambria, California, here are five sales represented by the Sotheby\u2019s International Realty global network in January. Spring Lake, New Jersey Elizabeth Hewson Judge, Michael Skea | Ward Wight International Realty, US$25M View properties in Spring Lake New Jersey\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Market Insights"","block_context":{"text":"Market Insights","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/market-insights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cambria-Header.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cambria-Header.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cambria-Header.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cambria-Header.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cambria-Header.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cambria-Header.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":437,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/significant-sales-february-2025-highlights\/","url_meta":{"origin":412,"position":5},"title":"Significant Sales: February 2025 Highlights","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"March 29, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"From an\u00a0AED 330M sale in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to a US$39.995M sale in Newport Beach, California, here are five sales represented by the Sotheby\u2019s International Realty global network in February. 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