The top results of all the Monterey / Pebble Beach motor week 2023 classic car auctions are led by a 1967 Ferrari 412P and a Jaguar XKSS.
Although Ferraris dominated the top results at the various Monterey / Pebble Beach Motor Week 2023 classic car auctions, the top ten was a mixed bunch. The most expensive car sold at Monterey 2023 was the 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta that achieved $30,255,000 at the Bonhams Quail Lodge 2023 sale. The second most expensive car was the 1957 Jaguar XKSS that sold for a model-record $13,205,000 at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2023. The third most expensive car was the 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta that achieved $9,465,000 at Gooding Pebble Beach 2023. The most remarkable top-ten result was arguably the 1914 Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout that sold for a marque-record $4,790,000 at Gooding Pebble Beach 2023.
Top Ten Results at the Monterey Week 2023 Classic Car Auctions
The ten (12) most expensive cars sold at the Monterey Week 2023 classic car auctions, including sales in Monterey, Pebble Beach, and Quail Lodge, were:
| Year | Car | Price ($) | Auction House | Auction | |
| 1 | 1967 | Ferrari 412P Berlinetta | 30,255,000 | Bonhams | Quail Lodge |
| 2 | 1957 | Jaguar XKSS | 13,205,000 | RM Sotheby’s | Monterey |
| 3 | 1962 | Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta | 9,465,000 | Gooding | Pebble Beach |
| 3* | 1960 | Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider | SOLD | RM Sotheby’s | Monterey |
| 4 | 1959 | Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupe Series III | 6,605,000 | RM Sotheby’s | Monterey |
| 5 | 1937 | Bugatti Type 57SC Tourer by Corsica | 5,395,000 | RM Sotheby’s | Monterey |
| 6 | 1967 | Ferrari 275 GTB/4 (Steve McQueen) | 5,395,000 | RM Sotheby’s | Monterey |
| 7 | 1914 | Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout | 4,790,000 | Gooding | Pebble Beach |
| 8 | 1933 | Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Cabriolet | 4,515,000 | Gooding | Pebble Beach |
| 9 | 1995 | Ferrari F50 | 4,240,000 | Broad Arrow | Monterey |
| 10 | 2003 | Ferrari Enzo | 4,075,000 | RM Sotheby’s | Monterey |
| 10 | 1912 | Simplex 50 HP Toy-Tonneau | 4,075,000 | Gooding | Pebble Beach |
Note: Price includes auction premium. Based on results available directly after the auctions.
3* — The California Spider received an unsuccessful highest bid of $8.6 million but was announced sold later in the auction. It is still unclear whether RM Sotheby’s will publish the price paid.
Ten Most Expensive Cars Sold at Monterey / Pebble Beach 2023 Sales
1967 Ferrari 412P by Fantuzzi
The 1967 Ferrari 412P by Fantuzzi, Chassis 0854, sold for $30,255,000 at the Bonhams The Quail Auction as the most expensive car result at any of the 2023 Monterey / Pebble Beach car auctions. In dollar nominal terms, the 1967 Ferrari 412P was the fifth most expensive car ever sold in a public auction. It is only the fifth car ever to achieve above $30 million in an auction and is the fourth most expensive Ferrari ever.
The 1967 Ferrari 412P, Chassis 0854, was delivered new to Colonel Ronnie Hoare’s British Ferrari agency, Maranello Concessionaires Ltd, and liveried in Italian racing red with a Cambridge blue nose flash. It was driven in period by among other Richard Attwood, Piers Courage, Lucien Bianchi, Jo Siffert, and prominent privateer David Piper. Upon its racing debut, the Belgian Spa 1000 Kilometers, the 412P finished 3rd overall.
0854 contested in the 1967 Le Mans 24-Hours, and the Brands Hatch 6-Hour race in the UK, before changing hands to David Piper who completed that year in it at the Paris 1000 Kilometers, Kyalami (South Africa) 9-Hours, and the Cape Town 3-Hours. Piper campaigned the car around Europe and South Africa over 1968-1969, winning at the 1968 Nuremberg 200 Kilometers at the Norisring, the Solituderennen at Hockenheim, and the Swedish Grand Prix.
The 1967 Ferrari 412P, chassis 0854 is believed to be the sole car of this prototype Ferrari era that retains its original chassis, engine, gearbox, and bodywork.
1957 Jaguar XKSS
The 1957 Jaguar XKSS, chassis 707, sold for a model record $13,205,000 as the top result at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey classic car auction after the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM failed to sell despite a highest bid of $17 million. This is the first Jaguar XKSS to achieve over $10 million and only the third Jaguar in this exclusive group.
The 1957 Jaguar XKSS was one of the 16 cars Jaguar produced for street use on surplus D-Type chassis — for this car originally XKD 564. With an odometer reading of 25,535 miles, this remarkable 1957 Jaguar XKSS retains its originality and showcases its authenticity. The car displays its original serial number plate, chassis number stamping, gearbox, engine block, head, and rear axle.
1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta sold for $9,465,000 at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2023 classic car auction.
This Ferrari, chassis 3507 GT, was one of only 165 SWB Berlinettas of all types built. Delivered new to Italian industrialist Giovanni Renato Scalabrin, 3507 GT was finished in the color scheme of Grigio Metallizzatto (Metallic Gray) with beige leather upholstery.
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta GT had only four previous owners. Unlike most 250-series Ferraris, this example has never been restored; instead, it has been regularly exercised and maintained in good working order. This SWB retains its original beige leather upholstery, complemented by the car’s mottled gray paintwork, and its original details throughout – original glass, period Irvin seat belts, and proper Borrani RW3690 wire wheels. The SWB Berlinetta has only covered approximately 53,000 km (33,000 miles) from new.
1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider
The 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti, chassis 1883 GT, estimate: $9,500,000 – $11,500,000, was announced “sold” during the RM Sotheby’s auction but the highest bid of $8.6 million was not accepted before the hammer came down and it is still unclear whether RM Sotheby’s will release the sale price.
This California Spider was the second of 56 short-wheelbase examples built and one of 18 built with uncovered headlamps as well as one of three built without side vents; its rarity is further cemented as one of two examples fitted with a type 128 F engine.
This California Spider was exhibited at the 1960 Turin motor show and holds the unique distinction of being the only Ferrari 250 GT California Spider (Long or Short Wheelbase) to have raced in the legendary Targa Florio — it finished 3rd in class as a private entry.
1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupe Series III
RM Sotheby’s had a good $6,605,000 result with the 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupe Series III by Pinin Farina — Superamericas often fail to reach prices that reflect their scarcity. This Superamerica was the fourth of 12 Series III examples built and one of only seven cars factory-equipped with covered headlights. The recently restored Ferrari was a Platinum Award-winner at the 2021 Cavallino Classic, class-winner at the 2020 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, and best of show-winner at the 2023 Cavallino Modena and the 2023 Concours d’Elegance Suisse.
1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Tourer by Corsica
Classic Bugattis generally struggled at Monterey 2023 but RM Sotheby’s had a sold $5,395,000 result on the 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Tourer by Corsica. This Bugatti is one of only two 57S chassis originally provided with four-seat tourer bodies by Corsica. It was originally owned by Maurice Fox-Pitt Lubbock, who had to sell it when he became Vice-Chairman of Rolls-Royce in 1947. The car was bought at RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2021 for $4.7 million and has been completely restored since with invoices totalling around $700,000 on file — all in, the vendor probably lost out a bit but expectations were not much higher before the sale.
Steve McQueen’s 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4
Steve McQueen’s 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 by Scaglietti sold at RM Sotheby’s for $5,395,000 — just within the estimate that was near double what a similar car without special provenance would sell for. It was offered from the estate of British collector David Moore, who paid $10,175,000 at the RM Auctions 2014 Monterey sale.
1914 Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout
Gooding had several top American Brass Era automobiles on sale with several new marque records set. The most expensive was the 1914 Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout that sold for a marque-record $4,790,000. This Mercer, chassis 1967, was one of just four known 1914 Raceabouts to survive today. It features a highly desirable and rare four-speed gearbox, as opposed to the three-speed gearbox cars produced for 1911-1912. It is powered by a four-cylinder T-head engine that produces 60 hp at 1,900 rpm, and its low-slung chassis is laid out in right-hand drive. It is appropriately finished in a bright Canary Yellow with black striping and black leather upholstery. It was in the Jerry Foley’s collection for the last 50 years.
1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Cabriolet by Castagna
The 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Cabriolet by Castagna, chassis 2311214, sold for a strong $4,515,000 at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2023 sale. This large Alfa was originally sold in Italy but reached the USA by 1939. In early 1942, enthusiast Haig Ksayian purchased the car and it remained in his ownership for just about 50 years. The 8C was preserved in static storage for 40 of those years, no doubt contributing to its impeccably preserved condition. Following restoration, the completed car made its debut at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, and after running on the Tour d’Elegance, won its prestigious class, the European Classic Open 1922-1934.
1995 Ferrari F50
A 1995 Ferrari F50 was at $4,240,000 the top result at the Broad Arrow Monterey 2023 sale. This European specification F50 had fewer than 11,500 km (7,150 miles) on the clock. It spent most of its life in Japan from 1996 to 2023 with two long-term owners including the Matsuda Collection.
2003 Ferrari Enzo
RM Sotheby’s had another good modern Ferrari result when the 2003 Ferrari Enzo sold for a strong $4,075,000. Despite three previous owners, this US-specification Enzo had only 2,687 miles on the clock.
1912 Simplex 50 HP Toy Tonneau
The 1912 Simplex 50 HP Toy Tonneau sold at Gooding Pebble Beach 2023 Auctions was offered from single-family ownership after 111 years. This Simplex was originally purchased new for the consignor’s great-grandfather, William Penn Snyder Jr., when he was just 24 years old.
Monterey Week 2023 Classic Car Auctions
Top classic car auctioneers with sales during Monterey Week 2023 include Gooding (Pebble Beach), Bonhams (Quail Lodge), RM Sotheby’s, Broad Arrow, and Mecum.
Monterey Week 2023 Auction Results
- Top Ten Monterey Week Auction Results
- Bonhams: Quail Lodge Sale Results, 1967 Ferrari 412P
- Gooding: Pebble Beach Sale Results
- Mecum: Monterey Sale Results
- RM Sotheby’s: Monterey Sale Results, Lost & Found Ferrari Results
Monterey Week 2023 Auction Previews
Monterey Week 2023 Pre-Auction Announcements
- Bonhams: 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta
- Gooding: 1933 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster
- Gooding: Top Ten Ferraris (including a 250 GT SWB Berlinetta)
- Gooding: Top American Brass-Era Cars (including a Simplex and Mercer)
- RM Sotheby’s: Top Ten Ferraris (including a 250 LM and California Spider)
- RM Sotheby’s: The Lost and Found Collection of 20 Ferraris
- RM Sotheby’s: Steve McQeen’s 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4
- RM Sotheby’s: 1938 BMW 328 ‘Special Competition’ Roadster
Previous Monterey Week Auction Results
