Bonhams crosses the line in Miami with $9.44m total

A bigger catalogue listing more of-the-moment models helped the Bond St firm comfortably better its 2024 figures, both the gross and percentage sold by number. Seven out of 10 cars found new owners this year versus just over half 12 months ago.

In addition, over ten per cent beat upper estimate and fewer missed lower. So far so good. The non-sellers included nearly all the big-ticket items – Brawn F1 car, Bugatti EB110 GT, 2022 modern Countach tribute – that could have easily doubled the gross if they had sold.

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ was withdrawn prior to the event.

At a glance:
 
* Gross, motor cars: $9,441,600 (2024, $7,272,160)
* Percentage sold by number, motor cars: 68% (2024, 52%)
* Top-selling car: 1990 Porsche 911 Classic Turbo Reimagined by Singer $1,680,000 gross, $1,500,000 net (est. $1.75m to $2.25m)

The headlining Singer Porsche is the first example of a car completed by the company’s Classic Turbo restoration service. Presented in one-off Dirty Oak Green Metallic, it looks sensational and was the car featured in British journalist Chris Harris’s video. Not a DLS, it’s a 964-series 911 totally rebuilt and given a 3.8-litre Singer-developed turbo engine and 1970s look. Well bought.

The auction debut of an Alfaholics Alfa Romeo GTA-R was another success. At $392,000 all-in it sold a little under low estimate but set a benchmark for these well-engineered restomods in the US.

A big chunk of the catalogue was devoted to The Orange Collection, a US-based group of cars bought by a “successful businessman with a deep passion for cars and an undeniable love for the colour orange.” All were in at No Reserve and most did well – the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series Coupé ($275k to $325k) was snapped up for $369,600.

Other results of note (all prices gross):

* 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’, $498,400. North American spec, unrestored ‘driver’ in black with black and alloy wheels. On the money.
* 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Coupé, $341,600. Fewer than 2,000 miles, another SLR McLaren finding a new owner. These generally do OK.
* 1971 Ferrari Dino 246 GT, Not Sold. European car, too expensive at $550k to $650k for non-original presentation of red/black leather.
* 1987 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV, Not Sold. Original US car with THOSE bumpers converted to cleaner Euro spec. White over white very Miami but broad guide of $750k to $950k should really buy an original car.
* 1978 Porsche 911 3.3 Turbo Coupé, $252,000. Sketchy history but pleasing, typically US spec of Grand Prix White with brown leather interior and a catalogued odometer reading of 5,824 miles.

With all the hullabaloo of the associated Miami GP – the rappers, NBA and Hollywood stars and influencers – Bonhams did well to sell so many cars, even if some of the star lots failed to finish. Interestingly, perhaps reflecting the cost of conducting an F1 auction, for this sale Bonhams levied an across-the-board 12% buyer's premium on all motor car entries.

Bonhams The Miami Auction, 3 May 2025 – results (2024)

Gross: $9,441,600 ($7,272,160)
Number of cars not sold: 12 (11)
Number of cars withdrawn: 1 (0)
Total number of cars: 37 (23)
Number sold: 25 (12)
Percentage cars sold by number: 68% (52%)
Percentage by value average low/high estimate: 31% (26%)
Percentage of cars met or sold below low estimate: 52% (83%)
Percentage of cars sold below avge of estimates: 68% (100%)
Percentage of cars sold met/exceeded top estimate: 12% (0%)
Average year of cars offered: 2002 (1997)
Average price of cars sold: $377,664 ($606,013)
Percentage of cars offered at No Reserve: 49% (26%)

Photo by Bonhams