As the year 2022 draws to a close, it is time for us to look back at the top 25 of cars sold at a public auction. They were of course all eclipsed by the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, which was bought from the factory at a record smashing €135 million in May. This was, however, a private sale and started a trend of sealed bid auctions that was particularly popular with RM Sotheby's. No results of these sales were published so can not be listed.
The top seller of 2022 was also offered by RM Sotheby's and was this Ferrari 410 S Scaglietti Spyder. Described by Carroll Shelby as the best Ferrari he ever raced, the five-litre sports racer found a new home during the Monterey sale for just over $22 million.
Earlier in the year, Gooding sold this fabulous Talbot Lago T150C SS Figoni & Falaschi Teardrop Coupe for a hefty $13,4 million at their annual Amelia Island Auction. One of eleven built, these Teardrops are ranked among the most beautiful cars ever made and this one was originally sold to Olympic bobsledder Freddy McEvoy and was later part of the Nethercutt Collection.
Also going across the Gooding block but at Pebble Beach was this Bugatti Type 57 SC Atalante Coupe. This black over black Atalante was originally sold to France and could more recently be seen driving around the streets of Athens. Chassis 57523 found a new custodian for $10.3 million.

Among the early consignments to the upcoming Gooding Amelia Island Auction are four remarkable Rufs from a single collection. Although based on Porsche products, the modifications carried out by Ruf are such that these cars all have distinct chassis numbers, recognising Ruf as a bona fide manufacturer.
The earliest of the quartet is this BTR2. Built in small numbers during the mid-1990s, the BTR2 was based on the naturally aspirated 911 Carrera. Ruf added a turbo and a subtle bodykit but kept the car rear-wheel drive further distinguishing it from the 993-generation 911 Turbo. The example consigned was originally sold to Japan and eventually made its way across to the United States.
Offered from the same stable are a pair of Turbo Rs; a Coupe and the one-off Cabriolet. Both 911 Turbo-based models are finished in a striking blood orange colour. The Coupe is particularly interesting as it was more recently upgraded to the later Turbo R Limited specification by Ruf.
Another unique Ruf available at the Amelia Island sale is this RK Coupe. The Cayman based machine featured styling by the great Aldo Brovarone and in this particular case, a supercharged engine.

This weekend, Dutch specialist manufacturer Donkervoort has launched the F22, which is the first all-new model in many years. It is a 21st century interpretation of Colin Chapman's original Lotus Seven. Although it complies with the latest safety requirements, it was designed with lightweight in mind throughout and tips the scales at just 750 kg. Combined with a 500 bhp version of Audi's RS 3 engine ensures that the F22 offers stellar performance figures. The new design is modern but still unmistakably Donkervoort. The planned run of 50 examples was sold out so quickly that the figure has been stretched to 75 examples. It is also the first Donkervoort that will be available in the United States.
Ford Performance and Multimatic have joined forces one more time to develop the final development of the recent GT. Dubbed the Mk IV, it is a track-only version with a larger and more powerful engine, and a bespoke long-tail bodywork. Inspired by the 1967 Le Mans winning Mk IV, the new GT Mk IV production will be strictly limited to 67 examples.
Another track-only machine that broke cover recently is the DeTomaso P900. The name is a reference to the remarkably dry weight of just 900 kg. It is powered by a naturally aspirated V12 engine that is good for a startling 900 hp. With a 1:1 power to weight ratio, the P900 should be a formidable weapon on the track. Only 18 examples are planned to be built.

Today we take a closer look at a pair of Aston Martins that raced at the Le Mans Classic this summer. First up is this AMR1 Group C racer, which is actually built on the chassis that was destined to form the basis for the stillborn AMR2. After the program was axed, the chassis was built up as a complete car using the readily available spare parts and assigned the chassis number AMR1 / 06. It has resurfaced in recent years and has been campaigned in historic events. Out in the Endurance Racing Legends race was this Aston Martin DBR9. Extensively raced in period, it today still wears the Gulf colours used during its 2008 Le Mans outing. Now part of the ROFGO Collection, chassis DBR9/7 made a rare appearance at Le Mans.
For the 2023 season Mercedes-AMG has prepared this new GT2 racer. It joins the existing GT3 and GT4 cars to compete in the re-established GT2 category. Although the final figures are subject to Balance of Performance, the GT2 should have around 700 bhp available.
Another new Mercedes-AMG car launched this week is the S 63 E-Performance. The high-performance S-Class features a hybrid drivetrain that combines the familiar twin-turbo V8 with an electric motor with a combined maximum output of 791 bhp. The S 63 E-Performance also has a sophisticated chassis with rear-axle steering and active roll stabilisation.

For the upcoming flag-ship Bond Street Sale, British auctioneer has consigned three V12-engined Lamborghinis. The earliest is this Miura P400 S, which was completed in 1969. It has had a colourful life and has been in the same ownership for over 25 years. A perfect candidate for a restoration, chassis 4256 has a £800,000 - 1,000,000 pre-sale estimate.
Offered from the same collection is this Countach LP400S. Built in 1980, it was originally sold through an Italian dealer but shortly after being delivered, moved across the Atlantic to California. Offered from a single ownership of nearly 35 years, 1121192 can be yours for around £300,000.
The most modern and rarest Lamborghini in the sale is this Diablo VT 6.0 SE. It is one of just 40 planned to be built and represents the final version of the iconic Diablo. Finished in the familiar gold exterior, LA12809 has seen very little use in the last 20 years. Despite requiring some work to get back on the road, it is still estimated to sell for £120,000 - 180,000. All three Lamborghinis are offered without a reserve.

Last night, Lamborghini revealed the complete details of the Huracán Sterrato. The off-road Lamborghini combines a naturally aspirated V10 engine with raised suspension and an all-terrain inspired bodykit. With deliveries starting in 2023, production of the Huracán Sterrato is strictly limited to 1499 examples.
The C8 generation RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback have received the 'performance' treatment. Part of the upgrades are an engine output increase of 30-horsepower and a reduction in weight of eight-kilogram by removing some of the sound-deadening. Available to order from December 8th, both cars will cost €135,000 in Germany.
The latest creation of Danish supercar manufacturer Zenvo is this TSR-GT. Based on the striking TSR-S, it features a low drag body and a more powerful version of the twin supercharged V8. This beast of an engine is now good for a startling 1,360 bhp. Zenvo will produce a limited run of TSR-GTs before introducing a brand-new model towards the end of 2023.