Seeing the item you're bidding on is all well and nice, but more and more auctions have been taking place online. Classic and exotic automobile auctions are no exception, and now venerable Canadian house RM Auctions is launching their first event that will take place exclusively online. The docket is stacked mostly with classic American motors – including a pair of '53 Cadillac Series 62s, a smattering of classic Corvettes and a handful of Ford T-Birds – but also includes a few European sportscars as well. Registration begins on July 10 for the auction taking place on August 9, but you can check out the lots on RM's website right now.

Choosing which Ferrari to buy can be a tough decision. The raw performance of the 430 Scuderia? The dynamic superiority of the 599?The versatility of the new California, with its retractable hard-top? And that's just the model...once you've got that down, there is a seemingly endless range of options available, including a limitless array of exterior colors. Might we suggest, then, that you let the chairman decide for you, and help out a good cause while you're at it.

For the first time ever, Ferrari is auctioning off a vehicle online. And it's not just any Ferrari, either: this example is the personal ride of one Mr. Luca di Montezemolo, a hereditary marquis, chief of the Formula One Teams Association, chairman of the entire Fiat group and president of Ferrari since Enzo himself passed on. Montezemolo is putting his own ride - in Rosso Monza with charcoal interior and outfitted with carbon-ceramic brakes, optional 20" wheels, sat-nav and iPod connectivity - on the virtual auction block to raise funds for research fellowships. The auction is taking place right now, so follow the link to head over and check it out for yourself.

To honor Jimmy Mancbach, the longtime director of fine wine for Southern Wine & Spirits, who died earlier this year, Southern Wine & Spirits and Wine Spectator have partnered up for a unique auction. Throughout the month of October, lots of rare wines and travel and food packages will be auctioned off in order to establish the Jimmy Mancbach Memorial Scholarship Foundation. Proceeds of the auction will help fund young wine professionals to work side-by-side with renowned winemakers during harvest. The auction is a one-time event and it is hoped that the money raised will hep fund the program for many years.

The auction includes 450 cases of magnums available in the auction and several "lifestyle" lots. Some wine lots are available for bidding now and bidding on the lifestyle lots will be opened on October 15. The auction includes Signature Cuvees from Au Bon Climat, Loring Wine Company, Schrader Cellars, and Soter Vineyards, large rare bottles, vertical collections and special selections from Jimmy's personal cellar. The list of wineries donating lots is a who's who of California wine including Colgin Cellars, Grace Family Vineyards, Hanzell Vineyards, Kistler, Marcassin and Screaming Eagle. The lifestyle lots feature dinners with chefs such as Emeril Lagasse and Daniel Boulud, winery tours and dinners, vacation packages and VIP tickets to popular wine event. All in all, it's a very fitting tribute to a beloved bon vivant of the wine industry.

[via Wine Business]