Amelia Island, FL – March 12, 2011 — Gooding & Company, the world’s leading auction house for collectors of rare and exceptional cars, achieved more than $17.8m in sales at its second-annual Amelia Island Auction on Friday, March 11, an 11% increase since last year in its new Southern Atlantic auction market. Among the 85 top-quality and rare automotive and motorcycle consignments presented (two lots were withdrawn prior to auction), 70 lots sold to a domestic and international clientele of discerning collectors, resulting in a strong auction sales rate of 82%.
Brimming with guests both seated and standing, Gooding & Company’s auction room energy was palpable, especially with several thrilling moments driven by David Gooding and Charlie Ross. Bidding escalated between those in the room and callers on the phone, resulting in the exceptional sales of the $1.87m 1951 Ferrari 212 Export Cabriolet and $1.705m 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV Prototype.
Remarking on collector trends, Gooding & Company specialists noted how well the post-war European sports cars performed in yesterday’s auction. World records in seven different European categories, including unrestored, preservation-quality cars, demonstrate the influence of best examples within this sector of the collector car market.
“I’m very happy with our second Amelia Island auction results and the overall growth we saw in guest attendance, sales, and number of records” says David Gooding, President and founder. “Great examples of post-war European sports cars performed extremely well and in several instances surpassed our original estimates, resulting in extraordinary sales.”
Gooding & Company achieved seven world records while in Amelia Island this weekend, a tremendous increase from last year’s two world records, listed as follows:
* A world auction record for a Ferrari 212, the 1951 Ferrari 212 Export Cabriolet at $1,870,000
* A world auction record for an unrestored Bentley R-Type, the 1955 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback at $770,000
* A world auction record for a Lamborghini Miura, the 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV Prototype at $1,705,000
* A world auction record for an Austin-Healey 100S, the 1955 Austin-Healey 100S at $632,500
* A world auction record for a Siata 208 CS Berlinetta, the 1953 Siata 208 CS Berlinetta at $605,000
* A world auction record for a Lotus 23B, the 1963 Lotus 23B at $203,500
* A world auction record for a Volkswagen Double-Cab, the 1960 Volkswagen Double-Cab at $70,400
A complete list of prices realized is posted on Goodingco.com following every auction.
The official auction house of the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Gooding & Company will host its annual Pebble Beach Auctions on Saturday and Sunday, August 20 & 21, 2011, at 5 p.m. both evenings. Auction catalogues cost $100 and admit two to the viewing and auction. General admission tickets to the viewing and auction may be purchased on site for $40.