Bringing over 20 years of expertise in classic and collector cars, the Gooding automobile specialists are set to expand Christie’s offerings of prestigious collections and luxury masterpieces.
There is something about the beauty, engineering and innovation of the perfect classic car that resonates well beyond the automobile expert. The lines, the form, the history — and that’s just at a standstill. Experience once at full throttle and it’s easy to understand why people become enamoured.
The thrill and passion that acquiring a classic car elicits is in many ways akin to collecting art. The appreciation for rarity, craftsmanship and provenance has seen the collector car market broaden and evolve in recent years, welcoming in a new audience tantalised by the promise of high-octane speed, stirring nostalgia and engineering prowess. For these burgeoning enthusiasts, the pursuit of classic and vintage cars and automobilia represents a particular articulation of a luxury lifestyle — one in which collectors seek out the exceptional, the most significant, and the rarest.
A partnership of shared values
Tracing the synergies between the classic car and art markets has, in part, triggered the ignition for an equally exciting and natural move within Christie’s luxury sector. Christie’s is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Gooding & Company, one of the leading international auction houses in the collector car market. The acquisition will mark a significant milestone for Christie’s, establishing its position in the rapidly expanding classic and collector car market and further solidifying its position in the broader luxury sector.
The affinity between the collector car market and art market extends to the shared values of Christie’s and Gooding & Company. Centred around the business of exquisite objects, both organisations are built on specialist expertise while fostering client relationships built with integrity and trust. Which tracks, considering the long-standing relationship between Christie’s and David Gooding.
The Co-Founder and President of Gooding & Company began his career in the auction industry at Christie’s, working his way up to become the global head of its International Motor Car division before briefly moving to RM Auctions. The husband-and-wife team of Mr Gooding and Chief Creative Officer Dawn Ahrens launched their eponymous company in 2003. The house has commandeered the automotive industry ever since.
A driving force
Since its founding, Gooding & Company has dedicated itself to independently forging its reputation as a steward of exceptional automobiles. Through assurance and transparency, they have earned their recognition as global leaders in the automotive auction industry. Bringing in nearly $3 billion since their inception, Gooding & Company has consistently operated at the uppermost echelon of the collector car market throughout their tenure.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, the house has a strong global presence, bringing with it a highly trusted team of experts in New York, Paris and London. While the executive team alone averages 19 years of automotive auction experience, Mr Gooding notes that everyone, from the front-of-house team to marketing and press, shares a common devotion to the business of cars.
Like Christie’s, Gooding & Company offers an exhilarating blend of live and online auctions at every price point, providing a robust selection of automotive history and automobilia for every level of collector. Private sales are also offered through the auction house, for those looking for more discretion.
Auctions around the world
Along with its global team, Gooding & Company opens the doors to its extensive community of collectors, connoisseurs and industry experts surrounding its three annual marquee auctions, which take place during Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace and Amelia Island Concours Week. These multi-day destination events bring together the entire automotive community, punctuated by premier classic car auctions.
For nearly 75 years car enthusiasts have flocked to Pebble Beach every summer for what has been heralded as ‘the world’s premier celebration of the automobile.’ This year, Gooding & Company celebrated its 20th anniversary as the official auction house of Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®. The team, who oversaw one of their most successful sales to date, achieved a market-leading $108 million in sales.
Most recently, The London Auction, held at the prestigious Hampton Court Palace, brought in over £7.5million in total sales, with the 1933 Bugatti Type 43A Roadster ‘Sport Luxe’ setting a world record for a Type 43. While the house’s Amelia Island Auctions — widely considered to be the preeminent East Coast collector car auction — will next occur during the first weekend in March 2025.
Coveted beyond the category
Like art, jewellery and other high-end collectibles, collector automobiles have appreciated in recent years not just in value but in meaning and resonance. Childhood dream cars mature into prized classics, while more venerated models are celebrated for their craftsmanship, ingenuity, design and provenance. ‘Both Gooding & Company and Christie’s recognize that today’s collectors have interests that reach beyond any one category. Our clients are constantly in search of items of unmatched quality — whether it is a motor car, a painting, or a piece of fine jewellery,’ says Mr Gooding. ‘Our new partnership signals an exciting opportunity to reach new clients across collecting categories and is emblematic of the global market demand for collector cars.’
Visit Gooding & Company’s website for more information. The next live auction will take place at Amelia Island in March 2025 with updates to the Online Auction calendar announced in due course.
Report by christies.com
Photos by Gooding & Company
