Sotheby’s mentions (in one of the articles I read), about trying to put a deal together post auction with the high bidder. If there really weren’t any bids, let alone a $17 mil high bid, that takes an awful lot of hutzpah to say that.

wouldn't be the first time they "sold" a car to a phone bidder. Fact of the matter is most of these cars are already pre-sold and they just go through the motions for advertising. You're ready to drop $17m on a car that you will never drive, but you won't spend any $ to fly and check it out, or be at the sale. I bid online for a lot of cars under $200,000. Anything over, I want to be there.

Takes a lot to say you sold a car that doesn't really sell, because its clear when the car is listed again later with the same owner. Something like "get in touch with the highest bidder" takes nothing, as there is literally no risk of being exposed.