You always know that spring has finally come when the auctioneers from RM Classic Cars roll into town. After all, where else are you going to find hundreds of classic vehicles for sale under one roof, and just in time for summer? Nowhere, at least not without crossing the border and, even then, it's probably going to be at one of the company's other auctions!


Yes, RM Classic Cars has built a firm reputation for being one of the leading classic automotive auction groups in North America.

Not content with that, they are now holding vehicle auctions around the world, and have just completed a deal which partners them with the world famous Sotheby's Auction House in the UK.

Together, they have an upcoming sale which will take place in the Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy. This unique sale will include one of the finest selections of road-going and competition Ferraris ever to be offered at auction.

Not bad for a company which hails from the small town of Blenheim, Southern Ontario.

The company holds two auctions per year in Toronto, one in spring (April), and another in the fall (October 19th-21st this year). These are always well attended, with buyers often flying in, specifically for the auction.

Obviously, the opportunity to admire literally 100's of classic vehicles under one single roof is a temptation which few can resist, but this is much more than a simple car show!



Oh yes, selling classic automobiles is a serious business, and yet, RM understands that the "thrill and fun of an auction" plays a large part also. I perhaps understand this better than most journalists, as I have personally managed 3, although considerably smaller, public auctions myself.


The buzz that one gets from being part of these auctions is hard to explain to anyone who has never attended one. The atmosphere is purely electrifying. That might sound like I'm exaggerating slightly, but believe me, once you hear the auctioneer's banter, and see the excitement in the eyes of the bidders, you'll realize that I'm not.

Of course buyers at these events come from all walks of life, and all backgrounds. There are the serious collectors, who have been endlessly searching for that one "must have" vehicle to add to their personal collection.

Then, there are occasionally buyers who are acting under the instructions of an automotive museum somewhere. After all, in the world of classic car auctions, rare and sometimes totally unique vehicles go "under the hammer", as they say.

Of course, there are always plenty of people like me, who have a passion for old cars and attend these events hoping to pick up an affordable classic.

Prices? Well they can range from a modest amount for a vehicle "requiring restoration" to, "how much money will your bank manager let you have"???

I'm not joking here, it is well known that companies such as RM have obtained prices for vehicles, in the millions!

Naturally, vehicles, which the auction house feel worthy of those kind of prices, are often sent to rather more exotic locations than Toronto, but even so, the Ontario events can occasionally bring a shock.

Don't let all this put you off, there are always a few "bargain priced" vehicles to be found.

Don't believe me, just look at the pictures of the red 1971 Jaguar E-Type Coupe. You will clearly see the bidding figures on the board. $7,000 and change for an E-Type Jag! If it wasn't for the fact that a divorce would have cost me more, I'd have had that!!



That is the wonderful thing about auctions, and is probably the thing that I loved the most about being in the industry, "you never know what to expect"!


Back when I was running them, people would often come up to me and ask, "How much do you think that particular vehicle will make"? My answer was to simply shrug my shoulders. Occasionally, I might hazard a guess, but I always explained that it was exactly that! After all, it only takes two people with deep pockets to fall in love with a vehicle, and you can guess the rest of the story.

On the day of the auction, I wandered around and chatted to several people. I heard that "vehicles were making good money". I was also told that "cars were selling cheap". I guess that at the end of the day, it boils down to what models were popular, and what weren't. It's funny, but that viewpoint often differs from buyers to unlucky non-buyers, but I guess that's the nature of the game.

I enjoy these events immensely, and I attend RM's Toronto shows every year. So at the next one, if you see me bidding like crazy, you'll know one of two things. Either my wife has finally had enough of me and given me the elbow, or I won the lottery!

For more information on RM's upcoming sales, visit www.rmauctions.com