OK guys let me clue you in on something here:
For example on this car you may see all these "phone bids" getting it bid up to just under the reserve.... and then nothing?!
Why do you ask?
All the big auction houses Mecum, R & M, Russo and Steel they all participate in this type of shill bidding.
They are hoping the (artificial) interest in bidding it up will catch on or the excitement will build up enough for just one person in the room to raise there hand/paddle. This magically gets it over the reserve, or all of sudden with that bid you may hear the reserve has been lifted.
Its not magic, its business, and legal from what I understand.
This is the explanation on why this car jumped 100k, but then didn't meet reserve or sell.
Always keep one skeptical eye open...