Market Guides 
They say that “March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb” – and with the Amelia Island auctions happening the first week of March this year, the lion is certainly here. Coming off of a sizzling hot market in 2021 and even hotter Scottsdale auction results, the collector car world is watching eagerly to see what happens at Amelia Island 2022 – will the lion persist, or will we start to see a softening of the market?
Here’s a quick list of the auctions taking place in Amelia Island that you can track on CLASSIC.COM:
PCARMARKET is also holding its “Virtual Amelia Auction” with all lots ending on March 4 curated as part of that special event.
Note: Russo & Steele is holding an auction on March 3-5, which is not included on CLASSIC.COM.
Note: Gooding cancelled their Amelia Island auction in 2021.
While both Bonhams and Gooding have more lots this year than before, RM has a smaller offering in Amelia than in years prior. Nevertheless, all 3 have an amazing set of curated lots and we are sure to see some market busters this week! Here's a list of the markets we are watching:
Porsche 550
(1953 to 1957)
Extremely rare and valuable, up for sale is a Porsche 550 Spyder, Porsche's most iconic racer from the '50s. The one up for sale in Amelia Island is set to be one of the highest sales (if not the highest sale) of the weekend. With the last two examples offered at auction failing to sell in early and mid-2021, this is definitely one to watch!
Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
(1954 to 1957)
There are 2 300SL Gullwings for sale in Amelia Island. Looking at the sales performance out of Scottsdale and during the past year, we expect these cars to do well. The recent sales performance during the first few months of 2022 has made our benchmark value (CMB) grow a whopping 14.59%. There are 2 restored examples up for sale at Amelia: a very interesting red one at RM, and another one in the iconic silver finish at Gooding.
Porsche 911 Carrera 4S - 993
(1995 to 1998)
We've seen driver's cars soar up in value recently and the 993 Carrera 4S is no exception. Even though only one of the 4 993 Carrera 4S for sale in Amelia Island is a low-mileage car (the defining value-driver in this market), we anticipate they'll all perform well given the recent surge in demand for these types of vehicles. We're particularly fond of the PTS Slate Grey one.
Porsche Carrera GT
(2004 to 2006)
The Carrera GT was a six-figure car until the last quarter of 2021, when prices skyrocketed with sales in the last 12 months averaging a whopping $1.4M. In 2022 alone, six sales have taken place, averaging an even higher $1.7M. There is 1 Carrera GT for sale in Amelia Island, which will most certainly continue with the rising value trend.
BMW M3 Lime Rock Park Edition - E92
(2013 to 2013)
This 200-car limited edition of the only V8 M3 that BMW produced (apart from the E46 GTR, of course), is the epitome of driver's cars that are soaring in value. The 2013 M3 Lime Rock Park for sale in Amelia Island has only 5,800 miles and will surely be a strong performer within its market, especially since the last sale took place less than a month ago, shattering the previous market sale record.
I am still a fan of the defined classic, specifically 1929-1934 American luxury cars.