Classic Car Auction Yearbook 2016-2017 Edition

The 22^nd edition of the Classic Car Auction Yearbook 2016-2017 (covering the 24^th season of auctions), can comfortably be regarded as one of the most complete and authoritative publications of its kind available.

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In the words of the publisher, Adolfo Orsi, President of Historica Selecta, the new edition of this in-depth analysis of the historic automobile market is the most comprehensive yet. When the authors, Orsi and Gazzi, first explored the classic and historic automobile market back in the early ‘90s, they correctly identified that an informed and in-depth analysis of the cars changing hands in the market, was needed. This publication today, is the result of many years of improving and fine-tuning of the original product that was first published almost a quarter of a century ago.

If today you are in the market for a classic road car or an historic racing car, you would be well advised to get yourself a copy of this fine book. In it, you will find an unparalleled, in-depth analysis of top international auction sales data, showing how important cars, marques and models have performed according to various time periods, countries of origin, and locations of sale.

Chapters in the 2016-2017 edition include the Market Analysis; Authors’ comment with 18 colour graphs; Graphs of the prices achieved by cars offered and sold in earlier time (by specific chassis in three currencies); The Top 195 cars of the 2016-2017 season; Top 100 for make and country statistics; Statistics for make; Average price achieved graphs; the 2016-2017 season “Top Ten” with case study; Auction season results with 5659 cars (of 308 makes); 24 years of Top Five; 24 years of Top Five for Makes; and Top Twenty of the last 24 seasons. In fact, the longer this market analysis is published, the more valuable this work becomes as one can view the comparative data over a longer period, making the data more representative.

And if you thought that a car that you might be wanting to research was too insignificant or unworthy of a listing, think again, because you may just be surprised. You will find cars listed that include just about everything from A-Z, and from the late 19^th century onwards, with sales data from auctions across the globe. The section covering the “2016-2017 Auction Season Results” makes up the bulk of the book, and it includes the following details: Year; Model; Bodybuilder; Chassis No; Steering (left or right); Estimate; Hammer price (in three currencies); Sale date, place, Lot no.; and Auction house. That is a lot of data, giving the collector a very good idea of what he/she is looking to buy, and the price that they can expect to pay. In addition, many images throughout this section show the quality and appearance of some of the cars covered. The data covers auction sales from 22 different auction houses around the world, and covers sales in the USA, United Kingdom, Europe and Australia.

Up front you will find commentary and a market analysis offered by top people in several of the world’s finest auction houses, such as Artcurial Motorcars, Bonhams, Gooding & Company and RM Sotheby’s. This is followed by the Author’s Comment which is supported by informative graphs of trends in sales prices, percentage of cars sold, the number of cars being offered for sale, and much more. This gives a really useful overview of the market in general, from a number of different angles. There is then also a detailed trend for certain selected cars, showing specific price trends for that car.

Following that is a detailed listing of the top 195 cars for the year in question. The richness of the data is impressive and makes for compelling reading for those in the market. Then there is the comprehensive data for makes and countries, there seems no end to the different ways in which you can study your favourite marque.

Such a book would not be complete without a study of the top ten highest achievers, and this was headed by the 1956 Aston Martin DBR1 that was sold for $22,550,000 by RM Sotheby’s in August 2017. At the rear of the book is the “Top Twenty” that have sold between August 1993 and August 2017, and of these top 20 contenders, Ferraris make up no less than fifteen cars. It comes as no surprise that the oldest of these cars was sold in 2011, which just shows how prices have increased in recent years.

The book is simply packed with data, too much to even mention in a review, and it is well presented which makes reading and digesting the information that much easier. The book is quite heavy, the result of being printed on good quality paper, with an attractive cover.

In conclusion, if you are in the market to acquire a classic road car or an historic race car, you cannot make an informed choice without having this book at your disposal. Besides which, it would make an excellent addition to your bookshelf, should you have occasion to prove yourself right in a discussion with friends.

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Written by: Glen Smale