You’ve had your eye and heart set on a classic car, or perhaps have dreamed of building a unique collection. But, where do you start? You can certainly page through classified ads, subscribe to auto sale websites or poke around local car lots, but one of the best ways to gain access to hundreds of classic cars is to attend a collector car auction.
Below, you’ll find the most popular auto auctions amongst serious collectors and super fans of specialty vehicles.
2024s must-attend collector car auctions
Lucky Collector Car Auctions
From sports cars and exotic cars to pickup trucks and motorcycles, Lucky Collector Car Auctions have something for everyone. Its auctions are held every spring and fall just outside of Tacoma, Washington on the grounds of Marymount. This location is home to the LeMay Family Collection Foundation, a museum that displays the family’s permanent collection of more than 500 vintage vehicles. Before heading to the auction, attendees can preview lot listings on the Lucky website.
Auctions:
Spring, details pending
Barrett-Jackson
Barrett-Jackson collector car auctions are world class, attracting enthusiasts from around the country for more than five decades. These auctions give buyers access to thousands of the most beautiful and sought-after vehicles ever produced. Hosting The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions in Scottsdale, Arizona; Palm Beach, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada and Houston, Texas, Barrett-Jackson draws 500,000 attendees, with millions tuning in on national television. Although you can watch remotely, attending one of these auctions—which include symposiums, celebrity appearances, test rides, and more—should absolutely be on your bucket list.
Auctions:
January 20-28, 2024 in Scottsdale, AZ
April 18-20, 2024 in Palm Beach, FL
Bonhams
Founded in 1793, Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers is an acclaimed international auction house. While it’s known for art and antiques, it also hosts sales of classic vehicles, motorcycles and related memorabilia with the assistance of auto specialists. These auctions are typically held in conjunction with world-renowned auto enthusiast events held in fabulous locales, like Milan; Paris; London, England and Cheserex, Switzerland. Headquartered in the UK, Bonhams has offices and hosts car auctions in the United States and all over the world. Its automotive experts source auction inventory from across the globe. You won’t see vehicles listed here anywhere else.
Auctions:
January 25, 2024 at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, AZ
February 1, 2024 at The Grand Palais in Paris
February 29, 2024 at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club on Amelia Island, FL
Gooding & Company
Gooding & Company is a leading automotive auction house that specializes in antique cars, classic cars and racing cars. It hosts three distinguished annual auctions in Pebble Beach, California; Amelia Island, Florida and London, England—where beautiful vehicles from prestigious collections, estate sales and other sources are presented for sale. With a commitment to putting only the finest vehicles from a few categories on the block, Gooding & Company auctions are vibrant, with record-breaking sale prices. If you can’t travel to attend, you can still tune in via the live HD webcast.
Auctions:
March 1, 2024 on Amelia Island, FL
August 16 & 17, 2024 at Pebble Beach, CA
RM Sotheby’s
RM Auctions formally partnered with Sotheby’s in 2015 to become RM Sotheby’s, with the goal to elevate the perception of classic and collector car auctions with blue chip, investment-quality vehicles. Today, it’s the official collector car auction house for high-end brands like Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin and others, and holds the title of world’s largest collector car auction house by total sales. RM Sotheby’s collaborates on some of the most famous and important auto events, like the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, Luftgekühlt, California Mille, Colorado Grand, and Formula 1.
Auctions:
January 25, 2024 in Arizona
January 31, 2024 in Paris
March 2, 2024 in Miami, FL
March 9, 2024 in Dubai
June 13, 2024 in Berkshire, UK
The Mecum Auction Company
For over 30 years, The Mecum Auction Company has been a leader in collector car, vintage and antique motorcycle, and road art sales in the United States. A family-run auction house, it hosts events across the US, including the world’s largest collector car auction in Kissimmee, Florida, and the largest motorcycle auction in Las Vegas. Mecum Auctions offers more than 20,000 cars for sale each year, bringing together car connoisseurs and helping them find the vehicles of their dreams. Since 2011, it has been ranked number one in the world in total volume of sales.
Auctions:
January 2-14, 2024 in Kissimmee, FL
January 24-27, 2024 in Las Vegas, NV
March 5-9, 2024 in Glendale, AZ
April 4-6, 2024 in Houston, TX
May 10-18, 2024 in Indianapolis, IN
June 6-8, 2024 in Tulsa, OK
July 10-13, 2024 Florida Summer Special in Kissimmee, FL
July 24-27, 2024 in Harrisburg, PA
August 15-17, 2024 in Monterey, CA
September 4-7, 2024 in Dallas, TX
October 2-5, 2024 Indy Fall Special in Indianapolis, IN
October 17-19, 2024 in Las Vegas, NV
December 5-7, 2024 in Kansas City, KS
Hemmings
Hemmings started as a collector car publication, Hemmings Motor News, in 1954, eventually evolving into “the world’s largest collector car marketplace,” Hemmings Auctions. Individuals can both buy and sell classic, exotic, custom and muscle cars through its online auctions. As one of the most respected names in the industry, all vehicles are chosen and verified by Hemmings’ expert staff.
Remlinger Collector Car Auctions
Co-owner of Remlinger Collector Car Auctions Jim Remlinger also owns the Remlinger Muscle Car Museum located in Winona, Minnesota. Boasting the largest collector car auction in the Midwest, it hosts two annual events that draw enthusiasts from all over the country looking to buy or sell. Auction attendees will find everything from high-cost vintage vehicles, affordable classics and garage art.
Auctions:
May 31 and June 1, 2024 in Minoa, MN
September 27 & 28, 2024 in Minoa, MN
Worldwide Auctioneers
Whether you’re looking for rare pre-war vehicles, vintage European racers or American muscle cars in mint condition, Worldwide Auctioneers is a great place to start. The auction house is owned by chief auctioneers and automobile specialists who’ve carefully curated the inventory to give buyers peace of mind that they are making a sound investment. While it’s smaller than others mentioned in this list, Worldwide Auctioneers emphasizes quality over volume and works to give both sellers and buyers a relaxed, fun and personal experience.
Auctions:
January 25, 2024 in Scottsdale, AZ
April 26-27, 2024 in Auburn, IN
What you should know before going to a classic car auction
Classic and collector car auctions can be a thrill, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed if you’re not familiar with these types of events. Get the most out of your experience by following the advice below and reading our 7 Tips for Buying a Car at Auction blog.
Pre-register to bid if possible
Waiting until auction day to register to bid may result in spending most of your time in line to fill out the necessary paperwork. Most classic car auctions in the U.S. allow buyers to register online in advance. Complete this paperwork prior to attending the auction so you can maximize your time doing the exciting stuff: checking out all the cars.
Research cars in advance
As noted above, the top car auctions publish plenty of information about the cars to be featured at the event, including a variety of pictures, details about the engine, transmission and other parts; VIN/serial number and important historical facts.
You may think you know everything there is to know about classic vehicles, but do you know what it’s like to actually own one? Now is also a good time to look into how to maintain and care for the type of car you’re interested in and see how other owners describe the experience. This will help you decide whether you’ll stick with a specific car you’ve got your eye on or be open to other makes and models.
Consider shipping options
Winning a collector or classic car at auction is only the first step—next, you have to find a way to get the vehicle to your home. Montway Auto Transport has more than a decade of experience handling collector, luxury, rare, exotic and classic cars for enthusiasts. We offer enclosed auto transport to safely move your valuable vehicle.
Get an insurance quote ahead of time
If you’re particularly interested in a specific classic or collector car, get a quote from your auto insurance company before the auction. That way, if you win the vehicle at auction, it will be covered as soon as you finalize the purchase. One more thing you can cross off your list before the auction so you can enjoy the event without worry.
Stay until the end
Sometimes (but not always), the best deals aren’t featured until the very end of the auction. The crowd will likely have thinned by this point, which gives you a better shot of winning with a lower bid.
Don’t forget fees
When calculating your budget for an auto auction, remember to factor in fees, including:
- Auction house fees (often 10%)
- Federal, state and local taxes
- Auto transport cost
- Insurance fees
Fail to factor these in and you’ll experience some sticker shock when the purchase is all said and done.
Remember: it’s not over until it’s over
Scrolling through the photos and descriptions in the auction catalog may evoke some strong feelings toward a particular car. You may feel as though you’ve found the one and can’t wait to get your hands on that steering wheel! But it’s important to be realistic and understand that you’re not the only one reading the catalog or going into the auction with high hopes of winning. Auto auction veterans know it’s never a good idea to become too attached to a single car until you’ve officially won it at auction.
Delivering your new collector car
Attending a collector car auction is one of the best—and most enjoyable—ways to find your dream car or start building your collection. Whether you plan to purchase a single vehicle or fill your garage, Montway can streamline the process of getting your winning lots back home.
When you’re ready to ship your newly purchased classic or collector car, get a free shipping quote from Montway Auto Transport. We make it simple to safely transport valuable vehicles on a schedule that works for you.
