From May 25 to June 1, 2022, RM Sotheby's auctioned 43 cars and nine motorcycles online at the "Sand Lots" auction. In keeping with the name, some of the vehicles on offer had a more or less strong beach connection. There were buggies, Mustang convertibles and Woodys with surfboards on the roof. But other fair-weather classics such as American full-size convertibles, open VW Beetles and sixties roadsters were also on offer.
However, the bidders' buying mood was limited: Only 19 of the cars on offer found a new owner. Nevertheless, the sales rate for the two-wheelers was 100 percent - although they were also offered without a limit and in some cases sold well below the estimated price.
Of the originally expected 4.6 million US dollars, only just under 2.1 million were raised. Half of this was achieved with a single car: at USD 1,025,000, a 2017 Ford GT was by far the most expensive lot of the week.
The second most expensive car sold for just a tenth of that: the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 250 GD fetched USD 107,000. Although labeled as a "Wolf", there was little sign of its military past.
Of the two Meyers Manx, only one could be sold for USD 37,400. Of the two Fiat 500 Jolly cars, only one found a new owner. However, the Giardiniera for USD 47,080 had only been converted into a beach mobile in 2021.
German luxury brands did not prove to be sales guarantors either. The two new Porsche 911s from 2019 and 2020 were left standing; the 356 C 1600 and 912 went for USD 93,500 and USD 80,000 respectively. In addition to the G-Class, only a 450 SL of the R107 model was sold by Mercedes-Benz. However, this sold for a hefty USD 93,500 because it was virtually a new car with only 476 miles on the clock.
Not even one-offs were in demand. In this case, however, there were two rather unusual models that were not really compatible with the masses. The first was the AMC AM Van, a design study from 1977 without drive technology. With an estimated price of USD 50,000-60,000, it remained as unsold as "White Pearl".
The 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 had been converted into a "Kustom" by John North from Connecticut at the end of the 1950s in the typical style of the time, was featured on many magazine covers and won numerous prizes at exhibitions. The special thing about "White Pearl" is that the Ford has not only survived, but is still in its original, unrestored condition - if you can call it that with a Kustom. Although the car is a scene-renowned celebrity, no buyer was found for the Ford for USD 50,000-60,000.
Only the Ford Mustang lived up to its reputation as the darling of the masses: all three convertibles sold for between USD 30,000 and USD 50,600.
Even though the lots sold for an average of 94 percent of their estimated price, the "Sand Lots" were not really a success.
A sales rate of 54 percent (excluding motorcycles only 44%) is actually below the level of RM Sotheby's, but previous online-only auctions have already produced similar results.
Offered and Sold Vehicles
The following table lists all offered and sold vehicles with estimated prices, highest bids, and sale prices. The price conversion was made at the exchange rate valid on the auction day. All information is provided without guarantee.
| Lot | Car | Year | USD Est from | USD Est to | USD SP | CHF SP | EUR SP | % Est | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115 | Volkswagen Beetle | 1965 | 18'000 | 26'000 | N | ||||
| 116 | Fiat 500 Jolly Conversion | 1964 | 60'000 | 70'000 | N | ||||
| 117 | Mercedes-Benz 450 SL | 1979 | 75'000 | 90'000 | 93'500 | 91'630 | 86'955 | +13.33%
|
V |
| 118 | Shelby Cobra 427 Replica | 1966 | 65'000 | 85'000 | N | ||||
| 119 | Messerschmitt KR 200 Cabriolet | 1963 | 48'000 | 58'000 | N | ||||
| 120 | Ford Custom Street Rod | 1937 | 75'000 | 100'000 | N | ||||
| 121 | Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 Convertible | 1970 | 70'000 | 90'000 | 72'600 | 71'148 | 67'518 | -9.25%
|
V |
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All information is provided without guarantee.
Legend: Column S = Status (V = Sold, N = Not sold, Z = Withdrawn, U = Under reserve)
Est = Estimate, HP = Hammer Price, SP = Sale Price
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