The 2025 edition of the Audrain Auction was held on October 3 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island as part of the Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week. This auction, hosted by Bonhams|Cars, featured 47 lots and generated approximately $10.3 million in total sales, achieving a sell-through rate of about 85–87 percent. The event brought together rare and historic cars, from early 20th-century classics to ultra-modern hypercars, highlighting the strong demand for collectible vehicles across eras.
When did some of the million-dollar
Several standout results occurred during the 2025 Audrain Auction. The top lot was the 2022 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, a car of which only 30 were built, and it sold for $5,725,000, making it the highest sale of the event. Another highlight was the 1909 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Roi des Belges Tourer, which realized $621,000, showing that early motoring icons still command strong interest. Other notable sales included a 1996 Porsche 911 Carrera RS at approximately $390,000 and a 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet at about $318,500, both exceeding expectations. This mix demonstrates that the market isn’t limited to one era, as both historic classics and high-end modern machines drew serious bids.
How did the auction reflect broader trends in the collector-car market?
The 2025 Audrain Auction showcased a wide spectrum of vehicles, from the 1909 Rolls-Royce to the 2022 Bugatti, underscoring that collectors value fine examples across time. The large sum paid for the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ indicates that modern, ultra-limited production hypercars have become key players in the collector market. The strong total of over $10 million with an 85 percent sell-through rate shows robust buyer confidence even amid global economic uncertainties. Provenance and condition played a crucial role, as several top sales highlighted meticulous restorations, verified lineage, and award history, which contributed to the final values.
What record-breaking or milestone moments emerged from the event?
The Bugatti’s $5.725 million sale set a model record for U.S. auction offerings of that vehicle. The aggregate of over $10 million for 47 lots shows that East-Coast auctions can draw high-value results outside traditional hotspots. Additionally, vehicles from vastly different eras over a century apart attracted top-dollar bids in the same sale, signaling the depth and maturity of the collector-car market.
When and how did the auction work
The event took place on October 3, 2025, in Newport, Rhode Island. The catalogue included 47 lots, each with detailed history, condition reports, estimates, and images. The auction allowed both in-person and remote bidding, expanding the bidder pool globally. A buyer’s premium was added on top of the hammer price. The cars offered ranged from iconic pre-war classics to modern supercars, giving bidders multiple avenues to engage. Collectors should note that provenance and condition are crucial, estimate ranges are guides not limits, rarity drives value, era is secondary to quality, and global bidding widens competition.
Why the 2025 Audrain Auction matters for the collector-car world
This edition of the Audrain Auction highlights that East-Coast venues with strong curation can produce headline results. The dual success of a modern hypercar and a century-old classic underscores the breadth of the market. Scarcity, condition, and provenance remain key drivers of value regardless of brand or era. The sale of a Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ for over $5 million in a smaller event reinforces that the high-end tier of the market is active and competitive.
When looking ahead, what should we watch for?
Upcoming auctions in early 2026 will show whether the momentum from late 2025 continues. Observers should watch how the mix of cars offered evolves, whether hypercars dominate or rare mid-century classics regain attention. Global economic conditions, regulatory pressures, and collector tastes will influence demand. Sell-through rates and average prices provide early indicators of market health.
Overall, the 2025 Audrain Auction was more than just a few headline-grabbing sales. It offered a snapshot of a healthy, varied, and dynamic collector-car market. From multi-million-dollar hypercars to century-old classics, the event reinforced that both history and performance continue to command attention and set strong expectations for future auctions.
