RM Sotheby's to Auction The Boeckmann Collection in 2027
The massive automotive collection will be sold across a live Scottsdale event and a concurrent online auction.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Car Culture
Live Poll
Would you consider investing in vintage or custom automobiles as part of your financial portfolio?
RM Sotheby's plans to sell the extensive Boeckmann Collection, which contains over 120 historic and custom vehicles, beginning in January 2027. The auction will be split between a live Scottsdale event and a separate online sale.
Why it matters
The sale highlights the legacy of Galpin Motors and features rare builds that represent significant milestones in automotive history and custom car culture. This multi-part auction offers enthusiasts a chance to acquire unique vehicles spanning decades of design and performance innovation.
The collection includes rare vehicles such as the Rinspeed 969 Turbo, one of only 12 produced, and an Aston Martin Vacances Shooting Brake, of which only seven were built. Estimates for individual lots range from $25,000 for a T Buggy to $750,000 for the Galpin GTR1.
The players
Beau Boeckmann
He is the collector who assembled the wide-ranging assortment of custom and historic vehicles offered in this sale.
RM Sotheby's
This global auction house specializes in the sale of high-value collector cars and luxury assets.
Galpin Motors
Founded by Bert Boeckmann, this automotive entity is known for its deep roots in custom car building and racing history.
George Barris
He was a renowned custom car designer who created iconic vehicles and notably designed the T Buggy in 1970.
The details
Assembled by Beau Boeckmann, the collection draws from the deep automotive heritage established by Galpin Motors founder Bert Boeckmann. The lineup ranges from a 1932 Ford Highboy Roadster by Bill Likes to the George Barris-designed 1970 T Buggy and the high-performance 2005 Galpin GTR1.
Timeline
The live Arizona Auction sale takes place on January 28, 2027.
Bidding for the online auction closes on February 4, 2027.
The Galpin NASCAR team captured national championships in 1963 and 1964.
Galpin set a 24-hour endurance record at Willow Springs Raceway in 1969.
Roadmap
The auction of the Boeckmann Collection underscores the increasing market value of custom-built automotive history within the collector car industry. It highlights how private collections serve as preservation efforts for decades of innovation and performance design.
Potential bidders should note that the live Scottsdale event is being expanded to two days to accommodate the high volume of lots. Those interested in specific items can monitor the auction schedule to track when the live and online phases occur.
The takeaway
This auction serves as a comprehensive archive of custom vehicle engineering and racing pedigree. Collectors should carefully review the specific vehicle listings to determine whether to participate in the live Arizona event or the secondary online sale.
Further reading
Learn more about local collector trends on our Car Culture page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Artdaily.
Live Poll
Would you consider investing in vintage or custom automobiles as part of your financial portfolio?
