Auctions America has come to an end, but in name only, as parent company RM Sotheby’s will continue the annual slate of collector car auctions under its own brand, including the twice-a-year Auburn Auctions in Indiana.
“Going forward, Auctions America will no longer operate as an independent subsidiary, and all existing Auctions America sales – including Fort Lauderdale, Auburn Spring, Santa Monica, and Auburn Fall – will be held under the RM banner,” according to an RM Sotheby’s news release.
The elimination of the Auctions America brand is not a surprise, having been signaled in a ClassicCars.com Journal interview with RM founder Rob Myers during the Auburn Fall sale.
Auctions America was organized seven years ago by Myers after the demise of Kruse Auctions. The concept included launching a series of nationwide sales that would appeal to mainstream car collectors with vintage vehicles that were generally down market from RM’s typical top-drawer offerings.
Subsequently, Myers sold part of the RM company to global art auction house Sotheby’s, which brought new customers from the world of art collectors while introducing those customers to collecting high-end vintage automobiles.
RM Sotheby’s owns the 235-acre Auburn Auction Park, where a satellite office of the Ontario, Canada-based automotive auction house will be established, similar to those in Los Angeles and London. The annual Auburn Fall Auction recently celebrated its 47th year since its founding under prior ownership.
Collector car auction veteran Donnie Gould, who headed Auctions America, will remain with RM Sotheby’s as part of the “global team of car specialists,” the news release says.
“Auctions America has experienced considerable growth and success since our acquisition of the Auburn Auction Park seven years ago, and the full integration of the company’s operations and brand with RM Sotheby’s will allow us to maintain and expand our competitive edge in the marketplace, enhance the quality of our offerings, and channel more resources and focus to continue to drive our growth,” Kenneth Ahn, president of RM Sotheby’s, said in the news release.
RM Sotheby’s auction lineup for 2018, including former Auctions America events, will be:
• Phoenix, Arizona on January 18-19
• Paris on February 7
• Amelia Island on March 10
• South Florida, with a date to be announced
• Auburn Spring on May 10-12
• Monaco on May 12
• Santa Monica with a date to be announced
• Monterey, California on August 24-25
• Auburn Fall on August 30-September 2
• London with a date to be announced
• Hershey, Pennsylvania on October 11-12
For information about RM Sotheby’s, visit the auction website.
