Achieving Over $194 Million in Sales
Image: Gooding & Company sold this 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider for $18,045,000 at its Amelia Island Auctions, the most valuable car ever sold at auction in Florida. Photo copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company. Image by Mathieu Heurtault.
In 2023, Gooding & Company sold the most valuable car ever auctioned in Florida, in addition to setting new world records for major marques and models including the Lamborghini Miura, the Ferrari Dino, and the Jaguar E-Type.
Gooding & Company, the global auction house celebrated for its world-class automotive sales, reported over $194 million realized across all auction events in 2023. In addition to its three signature live auctions at Amelia Island, Pebble Beach, and Hampton Court Palace, Gooding & Company’s program of events also included the Estate of Mark Smith Auction in Lynchburg, Virginia and two Geared Online sales in the fourth quarter. The auction house sold a total of 902 vehicle, motorcycle, and automobilia lots, achieving a 93% sell-through rate across all sales. Additionally, the company achieved a 100% sell-through rate for all automobilia offered. A total of 44 lots sold for over $1 million, and the average price per car sold was $492,429.
Gooding & Company made history this year with its top lot of 2023, the 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, the most valuable car to ever sell in Florida across any auction house at a sale price of $18,045,000. Its second most valuable lot of the year was the 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, sold at the 19th annual Pebble Beach Auctions, which achieved an astounding $9,465,000. The company set more world records in 2023 than in the two years prior, setting new benchmarks for marques and models ranging from Brass Era powerhouses to 1990s supercar icons.
“In 2023, Gooding & Company not only sold some of the most historically significant cars to ever come to market, such as the 1912 Simplex 50 HP Toy-Tonneau that we offered from over 111 years of single family ownership, but we also set unprecedented world records at each of our live sales,” said David Gooding, President and Co-Founder of Gooding & Company. “As we’ve seen in this past year, despite more discerning buyers, the market is especially strong for the uppermost echelon of offerings. Gooding & Company has redefined market standards for many of the most collectible marques and models in 2023, including examples from Jaguar, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercer, RUF, and Alfa Romeo.”
Top Ten Lots Sold at Auction in 2023:
1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, sold for $18,045,000
1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, sold for $9,465,000
1914 Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout, sold for $4,790,000
1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Cabriolet, sold for $4,515,000
1912 Simplex 50 HP Toy-Tonneau, sold for $4,075,000
1972 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV, sold for $3,580,000
1953 Ferrari 250 MM Spider Series II, sold for $3,525,000
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4, sold for $3,525,000
1966 Ferrari 275 GTB, sold for $3,415,000
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4, sold for $3,277,500
Notable World Auction Records in 2023 (model specific):
1914 Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout, sold for $4,790,000 (a world record for the marque)
1968 Lamborghini Miura P400, sold for $2,260,000
1953 Ferrari 212 Europa Coupe, sold for $1,985,000
1913 Lozier Type 72 Meadowbrook Runabout, sold for $1,765,000 (a world record for the marque)
1932 Chrysler CG Imperial Custom Roadster, sold for $1,600,000 (a world record for the marque)
1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SSZ, sold for $1,545,000
1932 Bugatti Type 49 Roadster, sold for $1,325,000
1961 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8-Litre Roadster, sold for £911,250
1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS, sold for $967,500
1997 RUF BTR2, sold for $720,000
1951 Cisitalia 202 SC Gran Sport Cabriolet, sold for $720,000
1935 Brewster Coupe Roadster, sold for $577,000 (a world record for the marque)
1907 White Model G ‘Roi des Belges’ Touring, sold for $324,000 (a world record for a steam-powered White)
Amelia Island Auctions, March 2-3
$72,676,188 in total sales
95% sell-through rate
148 of 155 lots sold
15 lots sold for over $1 million
4 new auction records
Gooding & Company strongly initiated its year of auctions in March, hosting its most successful Amelia Island sale to date – and eclipsing its own record set in 2022. The company held a two-day live auction event at the venue for the first time in its thirteen years at Amelia Island, and once again was the highest performing auction house of the weekend, achieving $72,676,188 in sales. In recent years, Gooding & Company has continued to develop Amelia Island as one of the world’s foremost venues for transacting the finest classic cars, and this year was no exception. Gooding again sold its top lot of the year at this venue, the 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, for $18,045,000, garnering global attention as the most valuable car to ever sell at auction in all of Florida. Ferraris performed especially well at the 2023 Amelia Island Auctions, and the company even set a new auction record for the Ferrari Dino with the “Chairs and Flares” 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS, which sold for $967,500.
Estate of Mark Smith Auction, April 7
$8,857,040 in total sales
100% sell-through rate
86 of 86 lots sold
3 new auction records
In April, Gooding & Company conducted the Estate of Mark Smith Auction, presenting the prized collection of the late Mark J. Smith in Lynchburg, Virginia. A total of $8,857,040 was realized in a single day, and 100% of the 86 lots sold at the auction conducted at Midland Motors, a former Chrysler dealership turned into a museum by the late collector. Fittingly, the top lot of the sale was the 1932 Chrysler CG Imperial Custom Roadster, which set a new auction record for the marque when it sold for $1,600,000. The auction also set a new record for the Brewster marque with the 1935 Brewster Coupe Roadster, which achieved $577,000.
Pebble Beach Auctions, August 18-19
$95,471,625 in total sales
80% sell-through rate
135 of 168 lots sold
24 lots sold for over $1 million
5 new auction records
Gooding & Company returned as the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® for the 19th year in August, where we offered our largest automobile catalogue to date. We realized over $95 million in sales and sold 24 lots over $1 million, led by an unrestored 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, which brought in $9,465,000. We were honored to bring a 1912 Simplex 50 HP Toy-Tonneau fresh to market for the first time in over 111 years of single family ownership, which resulted in a historic sale, realizing $4,075,000 on the auction block. We also set numerous marque and model world records, including a new benchmark for the Mercer marque when we sold a 1914 Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout for $4,790,000. This extraordinary example of a Brass Era motoring icon became the most valuable Mercer sold at auction by a considerable margin.
London Auction, September 1
£9,829,438 in total sales
3 lots sold for over £1 million
New record achieved for a Jaguar E-Type
September kicked off with Gooding & Company’s London Auction, held at Hampton Court Palace in conjunction with the Concours of Elegance. As the official auction house of the esteemed concours event, Gooding sold exceptional English and European classics, realizing over £9.8 million in sales. The top lot of the event was the ex-Porfirio Rubirosa 1953 Ferrari 166 MM/53 Spider, which sold for £2,531,250. A historic record was also set with the 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8-Litre Roadster, which became the most valuable E-Type ever sold at auction when it achieved £911,250. A desirable disc-brake, iron-block 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster also sold well above estimate, achieving £1,800,000.
Geared Online Auctions
Gooding & Company rounded out its fourth quarter with two consecutive Geared Online auctions. From September 22 to October 6, the auction house hosted its UK-based Geared Online | Art, Collectibles, and Lifestyle sale, where it presented an exceptional assemblage of motoring, fine art, luxury, and collectible items. 100% of the 466 lots sold, and a cumulative total of £885,156 was realized in sales. Later in the year, the company hosted its Geared Online | December auction, realizing a total of $3,847,676 in sales. The top selling lot of the online auction was the 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster 'Heritage Design Package,’ which went for $390,500 all-in.
2023 Private Treaty Sales
In addition to world-class live and online collector car auctions, Gooding & Company continued to execute the private treaty sales of some of the most significant vehicles worldwide. Due to the company’s veteran brokerage expertise and broad network consisting of the foremost collectors, Gooding & Company discreetly transacted the sale of cars from leading marques including Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, OSCA, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, and more.
Looking Ahead to 2024
Gooding & Company will return to Amelia Island to conduct its 14th annual auction at the venue on Friday, March 1. The catalogue will feature a robust roster of star cars, including the just-announced 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante (Estimate: $2,400,000 – $2,800,000). This example, chassis 57767, is an especially rare offering, not only as an alloy-bodied Atalante, but also as one of just three such cars to also have been fitted with a supercharged engine from the factory. The auction will also feature a time capsule 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS (Estimate: $650,000 – $800,000) with just 3,200 miles on the odometer. Possibly the finest unrestored Ferrari Dino in existence, this example belonged to famed North American Racing Team (NART) backer Howard O’Flynn for over 35 years, and comes to market with Ferrari Classiche Red Book certification.
Additional offerings at Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island Auction include an extremely rare 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Homologation (Estimate: $2,000,000 – $2,500,000) and a late-production, highly original 1990 RUF BTR3 (Estimate: $800,000 – $1,200,000, Without Reserve) finished in Deep Sea Green with matching upholstery.
Prior to the Amelia Island Auction in March, Gooding & Company will showcase a selection of vehicles at Salon Rétromobile in Paris from Tuesday, January 30 to Sunday, February 4. In the coming weeks, the auction house will announce major upcoming lots for its Amelia Island sale, including one of its headlining cars, that will be on display at the Rétromobile stand.
Later in 2024, Gooding & Company will host its 20th sale as the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® on August 16 and 17, as well as its fourth UK sale, the London Auction at the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace on August 30. Additional auctions for 2024 will soon be announced. Individuals interested in consigning a vehicle for an upcoming auction, discussing the sale of a collection, or offering a car for private treaty are encouraged to reach out to Gooding & Company to speak with our experienced team of specialists and veteran auction executives.
Amelia Island Auction
Date: Friday, March 1 at 11 a.m. EST
Location: Racquet Park, Omni Amelia Island Resort
Public Preview: Wednesday, February 28 through Friday, March 1
Auction Catalogue: $100, includes admission for two to the viewing and the auction
General Admission: $40, includes admission for one to the viewing and the auction
Bidder Registration: www.goodingco.com/register
Live Auction Broadcast: www.goodingco.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoodingandCompany
X: @goodingandco #AmeliaIsland #AmeliaIslandAuction #GoodingAmelia
Instagram: @goodingandcompany #AmeliaIsland #AmeliaIslandAuction #GoodingAmelia
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/GoodingandCompany
Phone: +1.310.899.1960
