Emblems of Heritage and Innovation: RM Sotheby’s October Auction Highlights

As the summer interlude draws to a close, September signals a return to routine as daily life picks up pace once more. For the automobile world, September offers little more than its routine monthly sealed drops — a lull before October brings two of the year’s most prestigious auctions in Germany and the United States.

Next month’s auctions tell a tale of time. At Hershey, one is transported to the earliest days of the road, while Munich pushes into the age of muscle and supercars. Read on to explore the highlights of next month’s RM Sotheby’s auctions, where rare and distinguished vintage cars await discovery.

 

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Hershey, Pennsylvania

It has been nearly two decades since RM Sotheby’s partnered with the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) to host its annual Hershey sale in conjunction with their Fall Meet every October. Today, this partnership — one of the country’s grandest car events — stands as a cornerstone on the classic car calendar.

Established in the 1950s, AACA’s Hershey chapter began as a modest gathering of car collectors only to scale up into one of the largest automotive events drawing enthusiasts from all over the world.

Taking place at the Hershey Lodge, RM Sotheby’s lineup this year showcases an eclectic assortment enriched with more than its classic sedans and elegant coupes — spanning the Brass Era, post-war vehicles and other distinct collectibles. A showstopping exhibit, the oldest vehicle in this year’s collection is one that paved the way, quite literally, for automobiles. A key component in the US postal service during the Gold Rush, the 19th century Wells Fargo stagecoach embellished with ‘US Mail’ is a unique addition to any collection. It is as much a conversation starter, as it is an undeniable piece of Americana and an iconic piece of the country’s road history.

The historical thread continues with a gorgeously restored Ford Model T from 1912, the perfect embodiment of early 20th-century craftsmanship and entry into the Brass Era. At a time when the automotive giant was starting to perfect mass production, this is a model representative of Henry Ford’s vision of putting America on wheels and making automobiles shift from novelty to necessity. Its exceptional engineering and economical pricing propelled this brand into a household name, and today it offers the right blend of rarity, charm and drivability for car collectors. Finished in elegant blue with a black convertible top, this Model T holds multiple awards for the superior quality of its restoration.

Moving away from household vehicles, the 1984 AM General M925 military truck ventures into restored military classics and is the youngest of the lots. The display of rugged design extends to the M3A1 half-track personnel carrier, a WWII vehicle used to transport Allied soldiers. Both stand as enduring symbols of American military pride and ingenuity.

Once a beacon of itinerant performances, the 1922 "Walking Man" Pioneer Circus Wagon from the Golden Age of the American circus stands as a mark of spectacle and showmanship. In a stellar display of bravado, it is crowned with a larger-than-life mechanical figure at its prow. Christened the ‘Walking Man’ wagon, it features circus-style wooden coachwork and is a testament to both engineering and craftsmanship. Its Stetson-wearing, moustachioed figurehead radiates the same charisma today that captivated audiences back in 1922.

From the practical to the extraordinary, this year’s Hershey collection nods to American innovation, entertainment and engineering spanning over a century of automotive history.

 

Munich, Germany

Since 2021, MotorWorld has been redefining the automotive experience through its versatile event venues, themed conference rooms, virtual racetracks and a four-star hotel. A year after its establishment, a new partnership was formed exclusively for the sale of high-end, rare vehicles; now in its fourth year, MotorWorld is the venue for RM Sotheby’s annual October auction, a constant draw for the enthusiasts of driving culture and lifestyle. This fourth edition is all set to showcase some of the most impressive muscle cars and supercars from the 1950s onwards, including industry bigwigs like Ferrari and Porsche, among others.

Headlining the sale is the Porsche 906, better known as the Carrera 6, a car impressing not only with form but also history. Finished in its dramatic orange paintwork and sleek silhouette, the 906 was conceived in 1966 as a successor to the celebrated 904. Just 65 models were produced, of which 52 — including the present consignment — were delivered with a special 2-litre sports engine. This distinguished piece was first sold to Racing Team Holland, from whom it inherited its distinctive hue, before making its mark on the track and later passing through multiple ownerships and colour changes. Under the care of its current consignor, the car has been faithfully restored to its vibrant original paintwork and fitted with a 911 engine, while also being offered with a spare engine block of the correct specification.

Among the other highlights are four Ferraris from four different eras, each finished in the maker’s signature red. These include the sleek 2007 Ferrari 430 Scuderia and a 1973 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 tourer by Pininfarina. Adding to the visual drama are a 1954 Fiat 8V Bertinelli, a 2010 Red Bull Racing RB6 show car, and a 1969 Pontiac GTO, modified for the 2004 film The Punisher.

In just four years, the RM Sotheby’s Munich auction has established itself one of Europe’s most renowned automotive events, continuing to grace many a car enthusiast’s calendar. The 2025 event promises an exceptional roster of lots, setting the stage for a thrilling season of auctions.