Latest news with #BaT
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Bring a Trailer's European Expansion Was a Natural Step
Randy Nonnenberg, co-founder and current president of Bring a Trailer, will be the first to tell you that eBay was his original auctioneering fix — at least until his creation was born. Follow that thread for 18 years, and Bring a Trailer has become the premiere auction website not just for low-mileage Bimmers and niche Saabs, but for those seeking to maximize their return on investment from rare, quirky, or just plain clean pre-owned vehicles across the spectra of ages, brands, and styles. But while that opportunity for enthusiasts to find the cars they really want has been limited to North America, our gearhead friends across the Atlantic in Europe are equally as invested in finding quality metal. Hence, it was only natural that Nonnenberg and the team at Bring a Trailer — which, like Road & Track, is part of the Hearst Autos group — set their sights on crossing the pond in 2024. Now, with three partner locations spread across the European Union, Bring a Trailer is ready to operate in Europe as if it had always been there. at "We have had a lot of sort of grassroots fans of BaT in Europe for a long time, some of them bidding on cars. So I would get a lot of questions of, 'When are you coming to Europe?'" Nonnenberg told Road & Track. "And we just wanted to do that intentionally, in a way that our tech was built out for it, and our team was ready to support it. And we are there now in a substantial way, and ready to grow even more," The site's three partner locations span from the Netherlands down to Belgium and across to Germany. BaT's Netherlands partner, Image Street Classics, was established last summer and offers the storytelling, imagery, and auction logistics expertise that the auction site has become famous for. Then came 1600veloce, BaT's central European partner — and perhaps its most geographically important — in January of this year. Centered between Frankfurt and Hamburg, 1600veloce's position makes the cross-continent shipment of cars easier than ever, allowing cars from around Europe to be more readily vetted, photographed, and prepped for auction. BaT's Belgium bureau, Colombo & Co, is its most recent addition, serving as a port-side hub to ship the best and most bizarre cars Europe has to offer Stateside. But not every auction success story ends in the U.S. Around 50% of cars auctioned off in Europe stay in Europe, making 1600veloce and its Germanic location a prime cross-country headquarters. (Just look at the Schipol to Dublin success story of this 1959 Mercedes-Benz 220s cabriolet.) The rules haven't changed much, Nonnenberg explained, as European buyers can bid on U.S. auctions and vice versa — but the intra-European sales mix is becoming an increasingly important part of BaT's year-end report. "We're not going to do just one in each country, but we're kind of starting there so we can get a footprint and spread it out. What those partners do is give us capability on the ground — local language spoken and local contacts — the ability to navigate the local market without us having to go set up offices all over Europe to try to do it sort of top-down," Nonnenberg said. "We're doing it sort of on a community level, enthusiast level, and from the bottom up, which is a little different, but gives us sort of a local European flavor to it. As opposed to a bunch of us coming from over here to go try to solve the way of selling in the market." The listing and buying processes remain largely the same for Bring a Trailer users in Europe. Selling your car on the site comes with a custom-written listing, a seven-day auction, and the choice to add professional photography for a few hundred dollars extra. (Nonnenberg admitted that the system of dispatching photographers across the country isn't quite set up for European operations, but that isn't far off.) Bid amounts will be translated into the currency of location, and value-added tax is calculated and tacked on for applicable transactions. Pricing is on par with the American version, too; EU listers pay the typical $99 listing fee in the form of €99, while U.K. sellers pay £79. Buyers fees stay at 5%, with a maximum of €7,500 in Europe and £6,000 in the U.K. The biggest change to BaT's operational layout from its expansion appears on its website: prospective European buyers can filter auctions by region, including European Union and United Kingdom filters. There are even more granular search options once inside of the EU or U.K., allowing for nationality- and era-tailored listings. These filters aren't exactly new, but the ability to show off Euro-market listings is one Nonnenberg is particularly excited about, and it's one that builds on the community-oriented principles BaT was founded on. With the site's bounty of regular commenters and a strong sense of community underneath every listing, Euro enthusiasts are now better represented than ever — no matter their car-buying affinities. "Some people think that Europeans just drive, you know, European marquees from their own country or something. But there are Italian car fans everywhere, and there are American car fans everywhere. And there are even Japanese cars getting shipped around and all over the place. So it's a diverse group," Nonnenberg said. "And that means a lot of need for the ability to transact the way that BaT does — which is transparent, and with low fees, and in a helpful way." 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NBC News
11-02-2025
- Automotive
- NBC News
A $4 million Bugatti and Michael Jordan's BMW brought car auction company a record year
Bring a Trailer, the online classic car marketplace, sold a record $1.5 billion worth of cars last year despite a continued slump in classic car prices, according to its CEO. The company held 45,000 auctions in 2024 split between cars, trucks, motorcycles, memorabilia and parts, and had more than 1.3 million bidders. 'With the stock market up and money flowing around, we had good velocity,' said Randy Nonnenberg, co-founder and president of Bring a Trailer, which is part of Hearst Autos. The strong results for BaT defied the broader slowdown in the classic car market. Higher interest rates have made classic cars less attractive as investments, since collectors can now make 4% or 5% in risk-free cash equivalents. Total sales at live classic car auctions last year fell 11%, to $2.18 billion, according to Hagerty, the classic car insurance and auction company. At the same time, baby boomers, who powered the collector market for decades, are now aging out. Many are selling their collections, leaving an oversupply of 1950s and 1960s vehicles that are less appealing to the new generation of collectors. The boom in older trucks and off-roaders has also fizzled, Nonnenberg said. 'A lot of that was seen as a Covid bubble, and that's cooled,' he said. The new generation of collectors likes modern supercars and sports cars, especially models that are 2005 or later, according to classic car experts. Nonnenberg said today's younger collectors, including Gen Xers, millennials and members of Gen Z, 'like cars they can use, where they can turn the key and just drive it. They're less hobbyist.' The very top of the market — with seven-figure or eight-figure cars — also remains weak. Collectors are more interested in less-expensive cars they can drive and enjoy today than they are in buying museum-quality artifacts that sit in a precious garage display. 'The market is super strong for high-end sports cars in the $200,000 to $500,000 range,' Nonnenberg said. 'Cars over $2 million have had a tougher time,' Nonnenberg added. The most expensive car sold on BaT last year was a 2022 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport that went for $4.1 million. Also sold were a 2018 Bugatti Chiron for $3.1 million and a 2022 Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 that went for $2.5 million. The most popular auction, drawing the most bidders, comments and views, was the sale of a 1991 BMW 850i 6-speed that was bought new and once owned by Michael Jordan. The sale price: $109,000. Nonnenberg said he saw a big jump in bidding and demand right after the election, which continued through December and January, which are usually slow months. 'We saw people buying $250,000 Porsches on Election Day,' he said. 'And we even saw awesome stuff selling on Christmas Eve.'
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
RoW 1993 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 On Bring A Trailer
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious A 1993 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6, a sought-after model among collectors, has hit the market in Germany, offering enthusiasts a chance to own one of the most powerful air-cooled 911s of its era. Originally sold in Belgium, this 964-generation Turbo features a Black Metallic exterior over a Carrera Grey special leather interior and is powered by a turbocharged 3.6-liter flat-six engine producing 355 horsepower. With only 754 examples produced for the model year, the 964 Turbo 3.6 remains one of the rarest and most desirable iterations of Porsche's legendary rear-engine sports car. This particular example has accumulated 176,000 kilometers (approximately 109,000 miles) and retains its factory features, including a five-speed manual transaxle, a fixed rear spoiler, and 18-inch Speedline wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tires. The interior maintains its period-correct features, including front sport seats with electric height adjustment, an onboard computer, and a remote six-disc CD changer. A Porsche Classic Communication Management (PCCM) system with navigation adds a modern touch to the otherwise classic cabin. The four-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel frames a central tachometer with a 6,600-rpm redline, while a suite of gauges provides real-time vehicle diagnostics. The 3.6-liter flat-six, renowned for its raw power and aggressive turbocharged delivery, remains a highlight of this model. Paired with the five-speed manual transmission, the powertrain sends torque to the rear wheels, reinforcing the visceral driving experience that made the 964 Turbo an icon of the early 1990s. Currently offered by a licensed German retail dealership, this example includes its original owner's manual, stamped service booklet, and Dutch registration. The seller is also providing assistance with shipping, importation, and titling support at an additional cost. For collectors seeking a rare, air-cooled Porsche with a well-documented history, this Belgian-market 1993 911 Turbo 3.6 represents a unique opportunity to acquire one of Stuttgart's finest creations. 1600Veloce is excited to an announce the brand new European operation of star BaT seller 1600veloce, based out of Göttingen, Germany. This expansion of the 1600veloce organization is now our second full-service BaT Local Partner in Europe, and their overseas presence will help to bring the advantages of our well-proven auction platform to buyers and sellers in the European market as well as to facilitate import and export of interesting vehicles. As the top-sellers on BaT, Anthony and his team have all but perfected the listing process—and we're thrilled to showcase the first installment of automobiles their new venture has brought us. 1600Veloce is a top-seller on Bring A Trailer with over 1,000 vehicles listed. Use their Premium Partnership to present your vehicle in the best way possible and avoid a long wait. Visit 1600veloce to learn more.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
1959 BMW 507 Series II On Bring A Trailer After Extensive Refurbishment
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious A rare and beautifully restored 1959 BMW 507 Series II is now available for sale, following a comprehensive refurbishment that has revived this classic sports car to its original glory. One of fewer than 250 examples produced between 1956 and 1959, this 507 has an intriguing history, having been delivered new to the United States before spending the 1960s in Staten Island, New York. After changing hands several times, the car underwent significant restoration work in 2021, including a repaint in its original Silver Blue color and a re-trim of the interior in tan leather, making it a standout in both appearance and mechanical condition. This Series II model is powered by a replacement 3.2L V8 engine with twin Zenith carburetors, paired to a four-speed manual transmission. Additional features of this 507 include a tan convertible top, 16' painted steel wheels, finned aluminum drum brakes, and a Becker Mexico radio, all of which have been meticulously restored. The car's body was stripped to bare metal, with welding repairs to various panels, and the brightwork was replated. With only 384 kilometers on the odometer, approximately 50 of which have been added under current ownership, this BMW 507 is in excellent mechanical condition and ready for both display and road use. The BMW 507 was originally designed as a high-end sports car targeted at the North American market, with the project instigated by US importer Max Hoffman. Featuring Albrecht von Goertz's signature design, it combined cutting-edge technology with luxury and performance. This particular 507 benefits from a range of high-end finishes, including a fully rebuilt radio, new rubber seals, and a refreshed convertible top frame. For collectors looking to own a piece of automotive history, this BMW 507 represents an exceptional opportunity to acquire one of the most iconic European sports cars of the era 1600Veloce is excited to an announce the brand new European operation of star BaT seller 1600veloce, based out of Göttingen, Germany. This expansion of the 1600veloce organization is now our second full-service BaT Local Partner in Europe, and their overseas presence will help to bring the advantages of our well-proven auction platform to buyers and sellers in the European market as well as to facilitate import and export of interesting vehicles. As the top-sellers on BaT, Anthony and his team have all but perfected the listing process—and we're thrilled to showcase the first installment of automobiles their new venture has brought us. 1600Veloce is a top-seller on Bring A Trailer with over 1,000 vehicles listed. Use their Premium Partnership to present your vehicle in the best way possible and avoid a long wait. Visit 1600veloce to learn more.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
How Bring a Trailer pulled off $1.5 billion in auction sales
If you're even slightly enthusiastic about cars, it's nearly guaranteed that you're familiar with the online auction site Bring a Trailer. What started as a small website run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts has brought the auto auction biz into the limelight, complete with knock-offs, true competitors, and even buyouts and acquisitions. It all adds up to a banner year for Bring a Trailer, which celebrated its third consecutive year passing $1 billion in annual a Trailer sold a number of big dollar vehicles throughout 2024, but at the top of the heap is a 2022 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport. With a $4.1 million final sale price, that Pur Sport handily surpassed its original MSRP of $4.07 million, which included $371,300 in options. The big B handily dominates the top two spots, with the aforementioned Pur Sport and a 2018 Chiron selling for more than the other three top-price cars combined. A bigger winner you won't see on that graphic is Hearst Autos, the company that scooped up Bring a Trailer just five years ago for several undisclosed millions of dollars. That said, the site's original vision is still very much intact. Randy Nonnenburg, one of the site's founders, still serves as the site's President. Is that all that remains of the old BaT?It wasn't always like this. Bring a Trailer began as a bunch of friends highlighting cool and weird finds on the internet. Eventually, they branched into 'BaT Exclusives,' which was a dedicated marketplace area of the site. After listing nearly 1,000 vehicles, many of which actually required the buyer to bring a trailer to pick it up, the site expanded to include 'BaT Auctions,' which largely exists in the format you see today. Part of the initial pitch for BaT Auctions included a curation process. To quote the press release from 2014: 'We select only the cars we'd want to own ourselves, and those offered at realistic prices.' While that's still mostly true, it's easy to feel that the sentiment rings a bit more hollow when you're talking about million-dollar Ferraris compared to, say, a busted and rusted BaT still lives up to its name, even ten years on. The site says they listed over 600 vehicles they consider 'projects' in 2024, including a tank, locomotive, and an alloy-bodied Lamborghini 350 GT. Admittedly, the top five sellers combined barely pass $700,000, hardly making them the site's bread and butter. And it's not at all just factory-fresh vehicles dealers are trying to flip or make a buck on, either. Most cars on the site hail from the 2000s, according to the site. In 2024, the most listed model years in order of volume were 2006, 2004, 2007, 2008, and 2005. It's hard to find an honest buck these days, but Bring a Trailer seems to have done a pretty darn good job of it. The service still exists to serve the enthusiast community, its fee structure has remained almost completely unchanged since its introduction, and it still curates what gets listed. With over a million registered users and just-announced plans to expand into Europe, the future still seems bright for BaT. They've earned it.
