Bonhams Miami auction nets $12.6m despite star F1 car not selling

Motoring enthusiasts and collectors gathered under the bright lights of the Miami International Autodrome on May 3, when Bonhams hosted its second annual Miami Auction. Although the headline car, a 2009 Brawn BGP001 Formula 1 racer, failed to sell, the event still generated a commanding $12.6 million.

The Brawn, one of only three chassis used in the team’s historic 2009 double-title win, carried an estimate of $4.5 to $6.5 million. But bidding didn’t meet the reserve. Still, other rare and high-performance vehicles more than picked up the slack.

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A 1990 Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer’s Classic Turbo programme drew serious attention. The heavily modified restomod fetched $1.68 million—just below its $1.75 million estimate. As the first of its kind to be auctioned, its result signals robust demand for custom yet heritage-rich classics.

Among the night’s standouts was a silver 1994 Bugatti EB110 GT, estimated between $1.45 and $1.65 million. While the final sale price wasn’t disclosed, it caused a stir, with bidders rising from their seats to snap photos as it rolled onto the stage.

Other highlights included a one-of-a-kind 2019 Ford GT Carbon Series in Epic Orange, which sold for $828,000. A 1971 Alfa Romeo GTA-R restomod by Alfaholics—the first ever offered at auction—went for $392,000. Ferrari may not have dominated, but it still saw strong results: a 2005 Superamerica sold for $403,200, a 2014 458 Italia for $257,600, and a 1991 Testarossa for $156,800.

Not all the action was on four wheels. Motorsport memorabilia fetched impressive sums. Charles Leclerc’s 2020 Ferrari F1 helmet sold for $57,600, while Fernando Alonso’s 2004 Renault helmet went for $38,400. Most touching was a Silverstone GP weekend with Sir Jackie Stewart, which raised $80,000 for his Race Against Dementia charity.

Bonhams’ Miami event continues to carve its place on the global collector car calendar, blending Grand Prix excitement with serious automotive passion.