MARKET LEADERBOARD

💰 The figures shared below don’t count any other sales such as car seats, memorabilia etc..

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

Today's leaderboard has slimmed down a bit. While PCarMarket & Hemmings didn't make the cut with less than 5 sales yesterday, Collecting Cars stands out. They clocked in 10 sales, but raked in a whopping $1.2M! In contrast, Cars & Bids moved 24 cars but totaled just a bit over $600k - that's half! Stay tuned, as I'll soon dive deep into the financials of each platform. Breaking down their daily/weekly/monthly earnings might reveal some surprising insights. It's not all black and white in the auction world! 🧐

By clicking on the image it will take you directly to the auction.

2014 Ferrari 458 Speciale $353,500

2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed $260,000

2004 Lamborghini Murcielago $258,000

SALE OF THE DAY

🔥 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso just got sold for a whopping $1,402,000

If you recall yesterday's newsletter where I highlighted the silence in bids since October 1st? Well, the drama unfolded in the auction's final two minutes! 🎭 With only a $1K difference, the winning bid narrowly edged out its closest rival. Talk about a nail-biting finish!

Link to auction here.

💨 This Italian beauty, originally from the 1960s era, was listed by FantasyJunction in Emeryville, California. 🌴

Here are some juicy details for ya:

• Chassis: 4421 (One of only 350 ever made! 🙌)

• Mileage: 82k Kilometers (~51k Miles). 🛣️

• Engine: Replacement 3.3-Liter Colombo V12, with that iconic Triple Weber 40 DCZ6 Carburetors setup. 🚀

• Paint: Sleek black finish with a plush tan leather interior. 🖤🤎

• Wheels: Gorgeous 15" Borrani Wire Wheels. 🎡

• Transmission: Four-speed manual (for those real car enthusiasts 😉).

The car has a rich history, being refurbished between the early 2000s and 2014. It's got a mix of luxury and sportiness, originally introduced at the 1962 Paris Motor Show. 🗼

And guess what? This beauty is headed back to the East Coast! 🌊 Safe travels, gorgeous! 🚗💨🌟

Remember, it's not just a car, it's a Ferrari! 🏎️

The seller, FantasyJunction has sold and continues to sell a lot of beautiful cars on BaT. Here are just a few of his past sales.

This isn't just your regular G-Wagon; it comes adorned with an overhead gun turret! 🔫 Yes, you read that right.

Link to auction here.

This G-Class, renowned for its rugged durability and iconic Geländewagen design, boasts a feature that instantly elevates its cool factor: a rarely seen overhead gun turret. This addition is more than just a conversation starter; it's a statement.

Cloaked in a commanding Nato Green, this 290GD is a beast under the hood. Powered by a 2.9-liter inline-five diesel engine, paired with a manual 5-speed transmission, it's primed to conquer both city streets and rugged trails. Inside, the cabin beautifully melds black vinyl with classic plaid cloth inserts, offering a harmonious blend of utility and style. And, of course, there's that gun turret - a fully functional marvel that provides a unique peek into the world from a vantage point most can only dream of.

A Big Salute to Honesty! 🙌 The seller deserves a special mention. Not only have they highlighted the unique features of this G-Wagon, but they've also been refreshingly transparent about a recent hiccup. They've candidly shared their experience with the diff lockers, noting a potential issue that might need attention. Their attempt to engage the diff lockers led to some challenges, with a possibility that the rear locker might now be stuck. But here's the silver lining: this should be an easy fix! Their openness about this, especially in the realm of car sales, is a breath of fresh air.

In the seller's own words, this G-Wagon, with its blend of rugged charm and history, is a showstopper that effortlessly stands out, especially with its gun turret.

For those with a penchant for the unique, this 1995 Mercedes-Benz 290GD is a gem waiting to be discovered. Remember, it's not just about owning a car; it's about owning a story. And this one's got quite a tale to tell! 📖🚗

Disclaimer: The numbers below may not be the exact numbers as I may have missed one or two cars. But they are VERY indicative of the trends that you see.

Dive into the Data: I've crunched the numbers from July right through to the end of September. My focus? The top 5 auction platforms with the most car sales. From there, I zoomed in on the top 5 car makes sold on each of these platforms. The grand totals paint an interesting picture of the automotive auction landscape. Below, you'll find detailed charts that illustrate these findings. But don't worry, I'll also provide a concise summary to give you a bit more context. 📊🔍

Snapshot, Not Deep Dive: Today isn’t one of those in-depth analysis days where I drill down into the nitty-gritty of each make/model. Instead, today's goal is to give you a bird's eye view, helping you understand which platforms have been selling what cars and at what prices. 🚗💨 And stay tuned! Further down, I'll toss in another graph highlighting the average sale trends across our timeframe.

Here’s the summary of the past three months of online car auction sales.

1. Bring A Trailer: Leading the charge, we've got Porsche, Ford, and Chevrolet dominating the scene! With staggering total sales of $345m, it's clear this platform is on fire! 😱🔴

2. Cars And Bids: BMW takes the crown here, closely chased by Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. A handsome total sales figure of $42m makes it a platform to watch! 💙

3. Collecting Cars: Luxury is the name of the game with Porsche and Ferrari leading the pack. They've amassed an impressive total of $59m in sales! 💸🍃

4. Car & Classic: Mercedes and Jaguar are the stars on this stage. With total sales of $32m it's clear the classics still have their charm! 🟣

5. PCarMarket: With Porsche at the forefront, followed by Ferrari and BMW, they've secured total sales of $18m A niche for the niche! 🟠

🔥 Hot Takes:

1. Porsche sales, represented in a striking blue on our charts, have been cruising at a consistent pace. The demand for these beauties is as steady as ever! An example that caught our eye was a 1965 Porsche 911 which went under the hammer for a cool $265,000.

2. BMW, in its vibrant orange shade, had its moments with some peaks in the sales chart. Did you guys check out the 1938 BMW 328 Roadster? That stunner fetched a whopping €325,000!

3. Mercedes-Benz, shaded in a lush green, had a noticeable spike in the mid weeks. One of the stars was the 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250 SL Pagoda that was snagged for $150,000.

4. Our all-American hero, Ford, showed a fairly consistent demand. The spotlight was on the 2023 Ford Shelby F-150  that sold for $124,000. Flip!

5. Last but not least, Chevrolet in its royal purple hue had a varied pattern. A standout sale was the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stringray which commanded a price of $72,000.

As we had another $1m+ sales yesterday, I wanted to explore all the $2m+ sales on Bring A Trailer. Further down I’ve tried to explain why I think there aren’t too many $2m+ sales at the moment.

The $2M Enigma: The Contrast Between 2022 and 2023 Online Auction Sales 🤔💰

Online car auctions have made a significant mark in the automobile world, with platforms like Bring A Trailer leading the charge. The digital landscape has never been more vibrant for car enthusiasts and collectors. However, a peculiar trend has emerged: while 2022 saw a whopping 16 sales crossing the $2M threshold on Bring A Trailer, 2023 has witnessed only 2 such sales so far. Let's dive into some potential reasons:

The 2022 Surge: The year 2022 might have been an outlier due to the post-pandemic boom. The pent-up demand and the shift from physical to digital during the pandemic might have culminated in a sales crescendo in 2022.

Evolving Market Dynamics: While 2022 was about pent-up demand, 2023 might be witnessing more strategic and deliberate sales. Sellers might be holding onto their high-value cars, speculating or waiting for the right moment or price.

The Return of Physical Auctions: As the world adapted to the post-pandemic phase, physical auctions might have regained some ground in 2023. While online platforms offer unparalleled convenience, there might be a section of sellers who returned to the traditional auction houses for their premium listings.

Market Temperature: The global economic landscape, investor sentiments, and even geopolitical events can influence luxury purchases. A cooler market in 2023 compared to 2022 might have led to fewer high-ticket transactions.

While the drop in $2M+ sales in 2023 compared to 2022 raises questions, it's crucial to view it as part of the larger evolving narrative of online car auctions. The digital realm is dynamic, and while fluctuations are natural, the potential and promise of online platforms remain undeniable. After all, the journey of online car auctions is more of a marathon than a sprint. 🚗💨🌐

What do you think?