----If a charity would it not be a write off for some rich guy???....Bill S

Yes

Technically you CAN take a deduction for the amount you spend over and above FMV.
But it is a slippery slope, as you must be able to document that you KNEW the value before you bid if you are audited. Without a "qualified appraisal" you are in an uphill battle with the IRS.
If you are just sitting in the audience liquored up and decide to start bidding, thinking you can deduct the entire amount, you are likely screwed.

----Thank God, Lynn, I'm not that guy!....Bill S

Isn't this a Catch-22 situation? Since you paid $330K, isn't that the precise market value for that particular car at that moment? You may not be able to sell it for that, ever, but that was the amount it sold for on that day. So shouldn't the deduction for the $300K overage pass muster under the IRS rule?

Or it's maybe there's something hidden inside that car that the bidder knew about...