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Classic Car Auction Yearbook 2009 – 2010

The annual bible of classic car collecting has just been published. Collated by the redoubtable Adolfo Orsi and Raffaele Gazzi, the latest yearbook from Historica Selecta summarises all the auction results from the period August 2009 to July 2010 – using the standard-setting Monterey week sales as a start point.

The 320-page volume opens with market overviews by some of the leading names in the auction business, giving their take on market activity. It then analyses the sales figures in every way possible, comparing criteria such as total auction sales (in $US, £stg and euro), percentage of cars sold and highest hammer prices over the period from the early 1990s.

Individual, ‘gold standard’ models (M-B 300 SL Roadster and ‘Gullwing’, Aston Martin DB4, Ferrari 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’, Jaguar E-type and Ferrari Dino 246 GT) are then charted individually over this period.

Ferrari, as a marque unparalleled in collectors’ circles, is afforded a special analysis which reveals that although the average percentage of cars sold has increased (from 63% to 68%), the number of cars offered has gone down (237 vs. 313) and the average price achieved has also dropped from $486,000 to $387,000.

Classic Car Auction Yearbook 2009 – 2010 Classic Car Auction Yearbook 2009 – 2010

A ‘Top Ten’ of cars sold at auction shows Mecum’s 1965 $7.7m Shelby Daytona Coupé comfortably besting Gooding & Co.’s 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Spyder California ($5.2m at the 2009 Pebble Beach sale).

After the listing, by make and model, of all sales results for the period, the book finishes with an overview of 17 years of ‘Top Tens’. $370,767 would have bought a ‘Birdcage’ Maserati in 1995, but you’d need at least ten times that amount in 2010.



As always, a fascinating read and a truly indispensable reference book for the serious collector. The book is available from specialised booksellers worldwide at 39.90 euros / £39.90 + P&P.

For further information, please email the publishers, Historica Selecta SRL: [email protected].

Text - Steve Wakefield
Photos - Historica Selecta


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