The Amelia concours and its concurrent events and auctions officially wrapped up Saturday, March 8th. This was my first year actually attending the concours itself, which was moved to Saturday (instead of its usual Sunday) due to a nasty forecast. This turned out to be a wise move, as all key events were blessed with nice weather. Two major auctions took place during Amelia Island Concours Week, and in today’s Market Monday I’ll highlight selected sales from the 2025 Amelia Island auctions. I’ll wrap it all by giving my overall impressions of the state of the market based on my experience attending these sales in person.

Broad Arrow Auctions brought approximately 167 consignments to the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island and managed to better their 2024 results by $3.8M, with a total dollar volume of $63.2M. Sell-through was a very respectable 87%, with a few notable no-sales (one of which we’ll cover below). It’s hard to beat the beautiful setting for this sale, though it is a bit cramped for spectators who are limited to standing room only space in the bidding room. It’s clear that Broad Arrow’s acquisition of experienced auction specialists has resulted in a world-class event.

Gooding & Company returned to their location at the Omni Amelia Island Resort, nestled among gorgeous tropical flora and trees dripping with Spanish Moss. Their 145 listings were spread across numerous tents with the largest being the conditioned and comfortable bidding tent. Gooding’s sell-through was a very impressive 90%, tempered somewhat by the fact that the majority of lots were offered at no reserve. Total dollar volume was down relative to 2024 by about $2M with a total take for the house of $65.1M.

The top sales for both auction houses were rare Ferraris that hammered for $9.5M. At Broad Arrow, it was the 1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder Competizione. Gooding & Company also had a high-dollar Ferrari as their top sale, in this case a knee-weakeningly gorgeous 1955 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta.

As an appraiser, I visit auction events and car shows in order to expand my knowledge base by learning from vehicle owners, restorers, and fellow specialists. This year’s Amelia Island delivered on those goals, for certain. It’s also fun! Below are the lots that I personally found the most memorable from 2025’s Amelia Island auctions.

A Hjeltness restoration typically adds value to a vehicle, and this beautiful Gullwing sold for just above its high estimate (when factoring in buyer’s premium). While this is a market-correct sale based on results for Gullwings over the last few years, I expected it to do better. Perhaps its more sedate colors (which I adore) and the title being new and “enroute” depressed the bidding.

I studied this car in depth on behalf of a client who was considering bidding. I considered it an average car based on the photos, which was further verified by an in-person inspection. While it had a long ownership history, unique options (including an original color of Orange), and an interesting story I predicted this car could be a great buy at no reserve. It sold for just $175,000 or $196,000 after buyer’s premium. I still think this car is worth more, so I consider this very well bought, despite its rough edges.

I had to stick around to see this lot cross the block, as it was immediately after the Speedster above. The car’s condition reflects its low mileage of just 1,248 miles; it was spectacular. I was astonished that it was passed when bidding didn’t reach the car’s reserve, but it appears to have found a buyer after the sale. While guided at $3.8M – $4.2M, the final price was $3.7M including buyer’s premium.

Among the rarest of the earliest Porsches, this coachbuilt 356 prototype sold for a rather bargain price of $235,200 including buyer’s premium. The last Beutler coupe was sold in 2020 for nearly $400,000, but that car was in better condition. You can read more about this car in my Good Find Friday article here.

This gorgeous 356 was sitting right next to the Speedster I inspected. Like many Carrera 356s, it has a replacement four-cam engine rather than its original. It has also had a repaint in black from the Sahara Beige paint it wore from the factory, which looked rather smashing with the red interior. In contrast to the Speedster, the gaps and body were very nice. Guided at a reasonable $450,000-550,000, this car was a no-sale at a high bid of $375,000. Had this been an Emory Outlaw, sadly I think it would’ve brought the money. 356 Carreras have been seeing a fair bit of softness recently.

Rare on top of rare, this Ghibli Spyder came complete with its factory hard top. Beautifully restored with a set of spare Borrani wire wheels if you prefer that look, this pretty blue jewel sold for $665,000 all-in against an estimate of $625,000-675,000.

Stunning as a coupe and lovely as a cab, the Cisitalia 202 is a very rare car. This particular one was owned once by producer Carlo Ponti, Sr. This car simply took my breath away, primarily for the jaw-droppingly beautiful and stunningly restored interior. Last year Gooding & Co. sold a 1951 202 Gran Sport Cab for $720,000, but this one sold for just $445,000. In my opinion, this was well bought.

With an interior from Hermès and a sleek and aerodynamic exterior, this Avions Voisin C25 is one of 8 ever built. Its provenance includes a Vitesse Elegance Trophy at the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. This was just a beautiful and fascinating vehicle to see in person before it gets squirreled away in a private collection. It sold for essentially its low estimate at $2M.

This rare French coachbuilt coupe stole the show for many of the folks perusing Gooding & Co’s preview. I was personally taken by its overall shape, of course, but also the lovely details that revealed themselves as I studied the car further. This car sold for $885,000 at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction in 2022. Here in Fernandina Beach it sold for $680,000, demonstrating the dramatic shift in the market over just a few years.

My favorite car of the auctions wasn’t a rare coachbuilt pre-war gem or even a supercar. It was this Mercedes C-class. Not just any C-class, this is a C43 AMG—the first joint Mercedes-AMG production car. In an article in December, I postulated that this car was destined to rise in value and suggested interested buyers find one in an unusual color and hold on to it. Said to be the only car painted from the factory in Lapis Blue, this example sold for $50,400. While under the low estimate, it’s still almost twice the average price of a great C43. Seeing it in person, it was worth every penny.

Based on the results from Amelia Island’s auctions this year plus my perception of the vibe on the ground, the market is…nervous. Economic pressures, including a complete shift in policy ushered in by a new administration and a stock market experiencing volatility, are having a depressive impact on sale prices. Additionally, there definitely seems to be a palpable shift toward RAD-era and modern cars over classics from the 1960s and 70s. Aside from this being a growing segment versus a waning one, perhaps this is because those buyers aren’t in or nearing retirement and therefore less affected by current market volatility. Nearer-term impacts of tariff policy on the used and collector car market are yet to be seen, in my opinion.

If you bought a classic British sports car or a 60s muscle car in the fast and loose days of the pandemic with the expectation of acquiring an appreciating investment, you have my sympathies. In today’s market, many of those cars have lost 10% (or more) of their value. RAD-era icons are on their way up it seems, so if you can afford a Lamborghini Diablo or an air-cooled Porsche 993 Turbo: buy and hold.

If you have the means and a RAD-era car is on your bucket list, they’re not getting any cheaper. For those interested in 60s and 70s car, I’d say now is a good time to buy. For everyone else, this is a market where only the best of the best and the rarest of the rare command the highest prices.

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisals, and auction services for buyers and sellers of collector European cars. If you’re interested in acquiring an overseas car, give us a call or drop a line!