The high-fives and hoopla the followed the gavel coming down could only happen in America.

RM auctions delivered a more than respectable $ 19 million in sales and a sell-through of 88% at its 12th Amelia Island Auction on 13 March 13.

With Gooding and Company ensuring RM no longer had the Island to themselves with their inugural auction the night before, the onus was on RM to prove it was still the premier auction at the Concours d'Elegance.
 
Moving the venue from the grounds of the hotel into the new Ritz-Carlton ballroom, the venue was crowded with standing room only for the 11.00am scheduled start. Max Girardo, RM's European Managing Director, took on the role of auctioneer, and quickly established a light-hearted banter with the audience. On his feet throughout the 112-car auction, his technique of light-hearted banter, with a slow count-down to the hammer teased out a number of additional bids from a lively and engaged auditorium.
 
The highlight of the sale was the 1930 Duesenberg Model J Sport Berline by Murphy that sold $ 1,705,000. The value of an under bidder was proved once again when a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta reached $ 1,650,000, while a rarer 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta could only generate $ 1,265,000. The American preference for immaculate presentation and a hard fought battle between a phone and room bidder led to the car significantly exceeding its pre-sale estimate. The high-fives and hoopla the followed the gavel coming down could only happen in America.
 
Another car with two minds set on ownership was the unassuming 1958 BMW 600 which eventually sold for a remarkable $ 74,250, more than a very tidy 1954 Jaguar XK120 DHC ($ 71,500) or a 1999 Chevrolet Camaro Grand-Am GTA Racing Car ($ 52,250)
 
One notable pass was the 1965 Shelby Cobra USRRC Roadster which failed to sell with a high bid of $ 1.275m despite Carol Shelby being on hand to tell the room that it was $ 200,000 short of it's worth and to beg for more bids.
 
RM will be very pleased with the sale, and the market as a whole should be buoyed by the sales percentage and the firm prices achieved for most lots.