Established in 2012 in Germany primarily as an art auction house, Auctionata has gotten into the sale of luxury items and collectables, from watches to wine, and now classic cars. It recently held its first classic car auction — and held it online — and reports that 26 of 39 vehicles sold with 11 of the remaining 13 sales pending.
“The auction result exceeded our expectations,” Wolfgang Jochum, director of new business and classic cars for Autionata, said in a news release after the sale. “To date we have been very successful in the luxury segment with watches, jewelry, and wine. Classic cars are a logical expansion of our portfolio, and we are delighted to have made such a triumphant start.”
Auctionata reports that 665 people from 31 countries took part in the sale, which was conducted online and featured commentary from rally driver and auction curator Jutta Kleinschmidt.
Auctionata reports total sales of nearly $1.6 million, led by a payment of $204,000 for a 1928 Riley Brooklands (all prices include buyer’s premium).
However, it also said the star of the sale was a 23-window 1955 Volkswagen T1 “barndoor” Samba DeLuxe. It sold “under reservation” at the auction, and subsequently the sale was completed for $235,000, believed to be an auction record for such a vehicle. The previous record for a 23-window VW bus was $217,800 at a Barrett-Jackson sale in California in 2011.
A 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 “Adenauer” convertible conversion sold for $149,000 and a 1934 Riley Sprite Special brought $115,000
Auctionata also noted that a 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL “pagoda” cabriolet sold for $68,000, considerably more than its $42,000 pre-auction estimate.
“The great auction results demonstrate that Auctionata’s activities succeeded in both reaching and assuring classic automobile collectors and aficionados,” Jochum said. “Based on this success, we will continue to expand this segment to ensure that we can establish ourselves as a German auction house in the classic car scene.”
Auctionata said it will stage its second classic car online auction February 27, 2015, and already has a docent that includes a one-owner BMW 2002 Turbo, as well as a Maserati Merak and a Porsche 356 B Super 90.
