Changes in the Collector Car Market
The collector car landscape is undergoing notable shifts, with recent trends influencing how enthusiasts acquire and sell classic vehicles.
New insights indicate that buying behaviors, auction styles, and even the most sought-after cars are evolving. A recent study from Hagerty, an auto data and insurance company based in Michigan, examined auction sales, buyer demographics, and luxury goods transactions in global markets over the last year.
Online Auctions on the Rise
Online auctions stood strong in 2025, with over 50,000 collector cars sold—an increase of 6% from the previous year. Meanwhile, the number of live auctions remained relatively static, around 21,000.
The highest-priced car sold in the U.S. was a 2025 Ferrari Daytona SP3, fetching $26 million, closely followed by a 1961 Ferrari 250 California SWB at $25.3 million. This evolution goes beyond just where the cars are sold. It also highlights shifts in who is making the purchases.
Kenneth Ang, president of Hagerty Marketplace, remarked that the collector car sector is seeing a generational transition, with younger buyers stepping in.
Shifts in Buyer Demographics
Although the global collector car auction market has largely stabilized in terms of overall transaction values since 2022, Ang noted several intriguing changes are emerging.
One significant shift is the growing interest in newer collector cars, particularly modern supercars and the “Youngtimer” models from the 1980s through the early 2000s. This trend is showing up in higher sales numbers, with new supercars being particularly attractive to buyers.
Cars like the Ferrari F40 and F50, Maserati MC12, and Pagani Huayra are gaining attention among collectors. While modern vehicles are becoming more popular, classic cars that combine rarity and excellent condition still command impressive prices.
“In the past five years, the average model year for cars sold at auction for over $1 million has been nearly 12 years newer,” Ang explained.
Looking toward the future, Ang anticipates that shifts in ownership and wealth dynamics will significantly influence the collector car market as we move toward 2048.
