ModaMiami is set to return for its second edition on 1-2 March 2025, with the star attraction coming in partnership with Mercedes-Benz, which will display some of its most significant historical models. Chief among them is the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (W 196 S), a motorsport icon linked to Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio. Alongside it will be the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss, a limited-production roofless speedster inspired by the 1950s legend.
The weekend’s centrepiece is the RM Sotheby’s auction, expected to generate nearly $100 million in sales. Among the key lots will be highlights from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum Collection – following on from the record-breaking auctions in Stuttgart and Paris. See below for the highlights.
ModaMiami also welcomes a lineup of automotive personalities, including Nic Waller, President of the Audrain Automobile Museum and Bill Warner, founder of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. They will be joined by Shmee150 and Ed Bolian, who will co-host the exclusive 100 Club event.
Beyond the automotive focus, ModaMiami will further venture into the arena of luxury brands. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Miami will present a curated showcase and host the Moda After Dark celebration at the Biltmore. Casa Tua, renowned for its intimate hospitality, will return to elevate the exclusive Club Moda experience.
The event’s expansion into aviation and yachting continues, with Dassault Aviation and Wajer Yachts among the featured exhibitors. The Collection Miami, representing Ferrari, Aston Martin, McLaren, and Lamborghini, will also return to showcase an array of high-performance machines.
‘When we launched ModaMiami in 2024, our goal was to redefine the traditional concours format,’ said Ethan Gibson, Director of Communications for ModaMiami. ‘The response exceeded expectations, and for 2025, we’re pushing even further, creating a destination that welcomes enthusiasts and luxury aficionados alike.’
RM Sotheby’s ModaMiami Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum auction highlights
1966 Ford GT40 Mk II
Estimated at $8,000,000-$11,000,000, this Ford GT40 Mk II is one of just eight built and carries a rich competition history. It secured a 2nd-place finish at the 1966 12 Hours of Sebring with Walt Hansgen and Mark Donohue behind the wheel. Later, it served as a test car for Ford’s Le Mans efforts before competing at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans as the #4 Holman-Moody entry. After its racing career, the car was displayed at European motor shows before joining the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 1968. Restored in 2011, it retains its Le Mans configuration.
1991 Benetton B191 Formula 1
This Formula 1 car, estimated at $600,000-$1,000,000, was driven by Michael Schumacher to a fourth-place finish at the 1992 South African Grand Prix – his first full F1 season. It also contributed points towards the 1992 Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. Later piloted by Martin Brundle at the Mexican and Brazilian Grands Prix, it has been housed at the IMS Museum since 2005, offering a direct link to one of F1’s greatest champions.
1908 Mercedes 17.3-Litre 150 HP ‘Brooklands’ Semmering Rennwagen
Built for extreme competition, this one-off factory racer, estimated at $7,000,000-$9,000,000, dominated the 1908 and 1909 Semmering Hill Climb with Otto Salzer at the wheel. It later secured third place at the Champion du Monde event in 1909, driven by Camille Jenatzy. Featuring a unique 17.3-litre engine installed in 1909, it remains one of the most significant pre-war racing cars. Acquired by the museum in 1964, it has retained its extraordinary originality.
1957 Chevrolet Corvette SS Project XP-64
A landmark in Chevrolet’s racing history, this Corvette SS, estimated at $5,000,000-$7,000,000, was the first purpose-built GM racecar and the personal project of Zora Arkus-Duntov. The only Corvette SS completed and raced by General Motors, it competed at the 1957 Sebring 12 Hours with John Fitch and Piero Taruffi. Featuring a 283-cu.-in. V-8 with Ramjet fuel injection and a magnesium body, it tested technologies that later influenced production Corvettes. One of the first to wear the “Super Sport” badge, it stands as a pivotal piece of Corvette history.
1965 Spirit of America Sonic I
Designed by Craig Breedlove, this jet-powered land speed record car, estimated at $500,000-$1,000,000, reached an incredible 600.601 mph on Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats in 1965 – the fastest run of Breedlove’s career. With a 34-foot fuselage housing a GE J79 turbojet engine, it set a new benchmark in land speed racing. Additionally, Breedlove’s wife, Lee, drove it to a women’s land speed record of 308.506 mph. Acquired by the museum in 1975, it is now being offered for private acquisition for the first time.
For more information, view the full Miami sale catalogue here
