RM Sotheby's

RM Sotheby’s, formerly RM Auctions, began as RM Auto Restoration in 1976, founded by Rob Myers as a small restoration shop with a focus on pre-war classics in Chatham, Ontario.[5] In 1991, RM Auctions was formed, later hosting its first auction in Toronto, Ontario, in 1992. RM went on to host its first Monterey auction in 1997—which remains its biggest yearly event—its first Amelia Island auction in 1999, and its first Arizona auction in 2000, all of which became annual events.

In 2006, RM Auctions took its first international step, establishing operations in London, England; its new-formed European division later hosted its first sale in 2007 at the Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy. Later in the same year, RM Auctions hosted its second European sale in London in association with Sotheby’s—the London sale would go on to become an annual event.[6] In 2023, RM Sotheby’s expanded its global reach further with an official launch of its presence in Dubai.[7]

In 2018, RM Sotheby’s set the then world record for most expensive car sold at auction when a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO sold for a record-breaking 48 million USD at their Monterey auction.

In 2022, RM Sotheby’s sold the world’s most expensive automobile and one of the most expensive items ever sold at auction: a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR 'Uhlenhaut Coupé' for 135 million euros at a private auction in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.

In 2022, RM Sotheby’s set the record for highest-grossing collector car auction ever with their Monterey sale grossing $239,258,340. During their Monterey sale, RM Sotheby’s sold the world’s most expensive new Porsche: a 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera known as “Sally” for 3.6 million USD. Created by Porsche in collaboration with Pixar, “Sally” is based on the character of the same name: a 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS from the movie Cars.[8]

In 2022, RM Sotheby’s set a world record for the world’s most expensive Formula One car sold at auction at Sotheby’s Luxury Week in Geneva with the sale of Michael Schumacher’s 2003 Ferrari F2003-GA for CHF14,630,000.[9]

In 2023, RM Sotheby’s Paris auction saw a one-of-a-kind version of the Bugatti Chiron—the 2022 Bugatti Chiron Profilée—sell for 9,792,500 euros to become the most expensive new car ever sold at auction.[10]

RM Sotheby’s is most known for its mainstay auction events in both the United States and Europe. In the US, of particular note is its flagship Monterey auction held during Monterey Car Week, an annual automotive enthusiast event in the peninsular Californian town. Their three-day 2022 Monterey auction broke the record for the highest-grossing automotive auction of all time at $239,258,340.[12] Other prominent annual American auctions include their Arizona event in Phoenix and their Hershey auction in the titular Pennsylvanian town.

In Europe, RM Sotheby’s longest-running annual auction event is their London auction, which takes place every fall. Their Paris event is another annual auction that takes places during the later winter months, typically opening RM’s Europe calendar. Also of note are their Monaco auction—taking place alongside the Grand Prix track—and Villa Erba—occurring during the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este—events, which swap on a biennial cycle.

In addition to RM Sotheby’s annual sales, they have facilitated the sales of both large- and small-volume collections in a range of locations, such as various American states, Liechtenstein, and Portugal. They have also hosted various one-off sales in unique locations, such as a famous parking garage in Miami[13] or on the Abu Dhabi Yas Marina Circuit prior to the 2019 season-ending Formula One race.[14]