💰 The figures shared below don’t count any other sales such as car seats, memorabilia etc.. All online auction sites are analyzed to put this leaderboard together.

I only include websites that have sold 5+ cars in the chart below. Which means Hagerty, Hemmings and many others did not sell 5 vehicles yesterday!

Don't be fooled by the condensed market leaderboard. The total sales volume exceeded $5 million in vehicles, and that number might have soared even higher if the F40 had been sold. Below, you'll find my detailed analysis. Your robust feedback on my recent opinion piece about the Hemmings/Hagerty/Sotheby’s Motorsport standings was eye-opening, and it's clear you have strong views. Here's my stance: I genuinely hope for the success of all these platforms. In the coming weeks, I plan to adopt a comprehensive approach, examining each moving part and sharing my individual insights on each platform. Stay tuned for my deep dives into each of them.

Just click on the image, and boom, you're right at the listing.

Kudos to PCarMarket for pulling off what's not just an auction, but a spectacle, showcasing the magnificent Ferrari F40 and securing a jaw-dropping final bid of $1,950,000. Despite the impressive figure, yesterday's showdown fell shy of the mark, not quite reaching the now-revealed reserve price of $2.2 million—a price the seller stands by, as evident from the Deal Tank listing.

First off, the paper trail—or the lack thereof—sure does throw a wrench in the works. Missing pieces like a Carfax report, a Massini Report, or a Classiche Certification can make even the most eager collector pause and ponder. It's like having a puzzle with a few pieces missing; you know it's a masterpiece, but you just want the full picture. Despite the F40's Swiss charm and the promise of a future Classiche certification, courtesy of the original exhaust, the lack of immediate, thorough documentation might have left bidders feeling a bit like they're navigating through a fog​​.

Then, there's the car's condition—a focal point for any collector worth their salt. Every nick, every quirk, and every meticulous detail is put under the microscope. Sure, the seller promises the moon and the stars with a well-documented maintenance history and talks of a bladder change pre-delivery, but the collectors' eagle-eyed inquiries reflect a level of diligence that's as commendable as it is critical, possibly causing some to hold their paddles a bit closer to their chests​​.

Market comparison is another piece of this high-stakes puzzle. The sale of a similar F40 with fewer miles for just north of $2m draws a line in the sand. This particular F40's higher mileage might have left bidders musing over its worth, balancing their desire for this iconic machine against the market's harsh but fair valuation.

And then, there's the elephant in the room: the auction's finale. The lingering suspense of not knowing if the top bid hits the jackpot or falls into the abyss is a peculiar choice by PCarMarket. It's a head-scratcher, especially when you're talking about a machine that's worth more than a small island. The lack of instant clarity is like a cliffhanger at the end of your favorite series—it might keep you talking, but it sure doesn't feel great. And in the high-octane world of car auctions, where every second and every bid is laden with anticipation, this ambiguity can be quite the buzzkill.

In wrapping up, this Ferrari F40 is not just a car; it's a legend, a dream draped in Rosso Corsa. Yet, the dance of the auction, with its intertwined steps of documentation, condition scrutiny, market valuation, and procedural transparency, didn't lead to the crescendo we all hoped for. It's a narrative that's as much about the car as it is about the collective passion and pursuit of perfection that defines the collector's journey.

Here's hoping PCarMarket tune into this heartbeat and evolve, offering a more transparent, thrilling, and soulful bidding ballet in the future.

Lately, I've been bombarded with questions about my take on the Barrett Jackson auctions and the whole buzz about their impact on the online car-selling scene. Frankly, I've been more of an online guy, keeping my focus locked on the digital market. But hey, I do keep one eye on these traditional auctions because it's pretty intriguing to compare them with the digital hustle, and I'm curious about whether they're shaking things up in a good or bad way.

Alright, let's talk numbers for a sec. Barrett Jackson just threw out this huge figure - $207 million in sales at their Scottsdale bash, and they're not hitting the brakes yet with two more auctions on the calendar this year. On the flip side, the online world's been buzzing too, with over 43,000 vehicles finding new homes last year, while the old-school auction lanes moved about 23,000.

It's been a wild ride these past three years. Back in 2020, we saw an even split with 15,000 vehicles each for online and in-person auctions. Fast forward, and it's like the online scene's on a rocket 🚀 while traditional auctions are kind of cruising at the same pace.

But hey, don't get it twisted – traditional auctions aren't about to vanish into thin air. They've got this whole vibe thing going on that's pretty hard to replicate online. Now, speaking of vibes, let's dive into that for a moment. The online world, where I spend most of my time, is bursting at the seams with growth potential. It's a whole new ballgame with crisp photos, detailed videos, and a transparency that's hard to beat. Not to mention the community vibe where everyone's chipping in their two cents. And, the cherry on top? The fees! Most online spots are charging around 5%, while Barrett Jackson is playing in a different league with a hefty 18%. They've gotta fund their swanky venue and army of staff, after all.

So, what's the real deal with a Barrett Jackson auction? If you've never been, buckle up because it's a whole experience – and that's their ace. It's more than just cars and auctions; it's about the show, the buzz, the whole shebang. Barrett Jackson is like a piece of a bigger puzzle, part of this mega empire of entertainment companies rolled up under Endeavor. These guys know how to throw a party. They're the brains behind WWE, UFC, and a bunch of other big names, making them the kings of live events. At their Scottsdale gig, the energy was through the roof, celebs like Kevin Hart adding spice to the mix with his crew drinking by the bar and buying himself a good old classic to add to the collection. The auction? It's like a heavyweight match, with the crowd going wild, especially when there's a fierce bidding war.

Now, for The Daily Vroom exclusive- you won't find just anywhere. That gorgeous 1967 Chevrolet Corvette that went for a cool $1.1 million? Public info, sure.

But the buyer? Now that's a juicy bit – it was the big boss of Endeavor, Ari Emanuel (for those that know Entourage, he is the original Ari). And between you and me, I doubt he was sweating about any fees! (he also wasn’t the only one from Endeavor buying a car and inflating those sale numbers!)

Wrapping this up, my two cents on Barrett Jackson and the whole in-person auction vibe is that they've got their groove and they're sticking to it, mostly because people can't resist a good show. But, let's not kid ourselves, the online market's where the magic's happening and where the future's at.

I'm betting we'll see some mind-blowing growth in digital sales over the next 3 years. Traditional auction houses? They're feeling the heat, no doubt, which is probably why some are dipping their toes in the online pool. And my bet is that we'll start seeing those multimillion-dollar sales happening on our screens on a regular basis. After all, who wouldn't want to save a fortune on fees and get a piece of the action from the comfort of their couch? However, BJ aren’t going away any time soon, but it’s very clear that the roles have reversed from just a few years back when live auctions were the place to be and online auctions were a spec in the market.