2018: List of the Million-Dollar-Plus Cars at Monterey Sales

69 cars sold for more than a million dollar each at the Monterey Motoring Week classical car auctions in California, USA, in August 2018.

Most Valuable Car Ever Sold at Auction
Darin Schnabel © 2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Six auctioneers achieved million dollar results on 69 of the 1378 cars offered for sale during the Monterey Motor Week 2018. Although RM Sotheby’s sold the most-expensive car ever at public auction in Monterey, Gooding sold more million-dollar cars at its Pebble Beach 2018 sale – 25 vs. 22. Bonhams and Mecum each sold 10 cars for a million dollar while Russo and Steel and Worldwide each also had a million-dollar result. A further 47 cars attracted unsuccessful highest bids that could have resulted in million-dollar cars if accepted.

Top Auctioneers at Monterey 2018

1935 Duesenberg SSJ – the Most-Expensive American Car Ever © Gooding

During Monterey Week 2018, six auction houses together sold 69 cars for over a million dollar each. Although RM Sotheby’s was the highest grossing auctioneer during Monterey 2018, Gooding with 25 results sold more million-dollar cars. RM Sotheby’s sold 22 cars for at least a million dollar, Bonhams 10, Mecum 10, Russo and Steel 1 and Worldwide Auctioneers 1.

In comparison, in 2017 during Monterey Week 71 cars were sold for above a million dollar: 32 at RM Sotheby’s, 22 at Gooding, 9 at Bonhams, 7 at Mecum and 1 at Russo and Steele.

According to Hagerty, a total of $370.9 million was earned by six auctioneers at Monterey 2018:

Auctioneer Total ($ million) Sell-Throuhg % Lots Sold / Offered Average $ Price
No of $1 Million Cars
All 370.9 62 849 / 1378 436,849 69
RM Sotheby’s 157.9 83 125 / 150 1,263,456 22
Gooding 132.8 84 122 / 146 954,939 25
Bonhams 37.8 81 110 / 135 343,694 10
Mecum 45.3 54 364 / 690 125,967 10
Russo and Steele 7.3 48 95 / 196 76,548 1
Worldwide 5.5 56 33 / 59 167,267 1
Source: Hagerty

Million-Dollar-Plus Cars at Monterey Week 2018

The following 69 cars have sold for at least a million dollar at the various Monterey Motoring Week 2018 car auctions:

Year Car Price ($) Estimate ($) Auction House Auction
1 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO 48,405,000 45,000,000 – 60,000,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
2 1935 Duesenberg SSJ 22,000,000 Upon request Gooding Pebble Beach
3 1963 Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition Prototype 21,455,000 18,000,000 – 22,000,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
4 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II 9,795,000 9,000,000 – 12,000,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
5 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta 6,600,000 6,500,000 – 7,500,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
6 1955 Maserati A6GCS/53 Spider 5,170,000 5,500,000 – 6,500,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
7 1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series II 5,005,000 5,500,000 – 7,500,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
8 1957 Porsche 550A Spyder 4,900,000 4,600,000 – 5,000,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
9 1956 Maserati A6G/2000 Berlinetta by Zagato 4,515,000 4,250,000 – 5,250,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
10 1998 Mercedes Benz AMG CLK GTR 4,515,000 4,250,000 – 5,250,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
11 2007 Porsche RS Spyder 4,510,000 Upon request Gooding Pebble Beach
12 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder 4,455,000 4,000,000 – 5,000,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
13 1933 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe Disappearing Top Roadster 3,850,000 3,200,000 – 3,500,000 Mecum Monterey
14 1934 Packard Twelve Indivitual Custon Convertible Victoria 3,745,000 4,500,000 – 6,000,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
15 1931 Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix 3,740,000 3,200,000 – 3,700,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
16 1959 Porsche 718 RSK 3,740,000 3,600,000 – 4,100,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
17 1948 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Competizione 3,525,000 3,000,000 – 3,500,000 Bonhams Quail Lodge
18 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale 3,410,000 3,300,000 – 3,800,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
19 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari 3,305,000 3,000,000 – 4,000,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
20 1937 Mercedes Benz 540K Sports Roadster 3,277,500 3,500,000 – 4,500,000 Bonhams Quail Lodge
21 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari 3,190,000 3,000,000 – 3,300,000 Mecum Monterey
22 1966 Ferrari Dino Berlinetta GT 3,080,000 2,000,000 – 3,000,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
23 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari 3,080,000 3,200,000 – 3,600,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
24 2003 Ferrari Enzo 2,860,000 2,900,000 – 3,100,000 Mecum Monterey
25 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante 2,805,000 2,800,000 – 3,300,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
26 1963 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster 2,530,000 1,800,000 – 2,200,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
27 1989 Porsche 962 2,200,000 2,200,000 – 2,500,000 Mecum Monterey
28 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV 2,177,500 2,200,000 – 2,400,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
29 1963 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster 1,930,000 1,650,000 – 2,000,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
30 1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe 1,875,000 1,250,000 – 1,500,000 Bonhams Quail Lodge
31 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America 1,870,000 1,500,000 – 1,800,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
32 2014 McLaren P1 1,820,000 1,700,000 – 2,000,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
33 1948 Tucker 48 1,820,000 1,800,000 – 2,100,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
34 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Cabriolet 1,792,500 1,650,000 – 1,900,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
35 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS 1,760,000 1,500,000 – 1,800,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
36 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso 1,710,000 1,750,000 – 2,000,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
37 1990 Ferrari F40 1,710,000 1,400,000 – 1,600,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
38 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Cabriolet 1,682,500 1,500,000 – 1,800,000 Bonhams Quail Lodge
39 1928 Bentley 6 1/2 Liter Open Sports Tourer 1,655,000 2,000,000 – 3,000,000 Bonhams Quail Lodge
40 1956 Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupe 1,655,000 1,200,000 – 1,600,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
41 1953 Siata 208S Spider 1,655,000 1,500,000 – 1,800,000 Bonhams Quail Lodge
42 2015 Porsche 918 Weissach Spyder 1,650,000 1,600,000 – 2,000,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
43 2017 Ford GT 1,540,000 Russo and Steele Monterey
44 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso 1,485,000 1,700,000 – 2,000,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
45 1929 Bentley 4 1/2 Liter Sports Tourer 1,435,000 1,250,000 – 1,500,000 Bonhams Quail Lodge
46 1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing 1,435,000 1,450,000 – 1,650,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
47 1966 Porsche 911 Spyder 1,430,000 700,000 – 1,000,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
48 2015 Porsche 918 Weissach Spyder 1,407,500 1,350,000 – 1,750,000 Bonhams Quail Lodge
49 1954 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing 1,380,000 1,400,000 – 1,600,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
50 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RSH 2.7 1,380,000 1,300,000 – 1,600,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
51 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Cabriolet 1,325,000 1,300,000 – 1,600,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
52 1931 Duesenberg Model J Derham Tourster 1,320,000 Worldwide Monterey
53 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso 1,320,000 1,400,000 – 1,800,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
54 1961 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster 1,297,500 1,300,000 – 1,500,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
55 1936 Mercedes Benz 500K Touring Phaeton 1,215,000 1,400,000 – 1,600,000 Bonhams Quail Lodge
56 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan 1,155,000 1,000,000 1,200,000 Mecum Monterey
57 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S 1,155,000 1,300,000 – 1,600,000 Mecum Monterey
58 2012 Dallara DW12 Honda Indy Car 1,127,500 1,175,000 – 1,250,000 Mecum Monterey
59 1956 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing 1,127,500 1,100,000 – 1,300,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
60 1930 Packard 734 Speedster Phaeton 1,127,500 1,000,000 – 1,400,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
61 1996 Porsche 911 GT2 Club Sport 1,105,000 1,500,000 – 2,000,000 Bonhams Quail Lodge
62 2011 Ferrari 599 SA Aperta 1,072,500 1,300,000 – 1,600,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
63 1958 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster 1,072,500 900,000 – 1,200,000 Mecum Monterey
64 1991 Ferrari F40 1,050,000 1,000,000 – 1,200,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
65 2017 Ferrari F12 TdF 1,045,000 1,000,000 – 1,250,000 Mecum Monterey
66 1989 RUF CTR 1,022,500 1,000,000 – 1,200,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
67 1936 Auburn 852 SC Boattail Speedster 1,017,500 850,000 – 1,000,000 Mecum Monterey
68 1935 Auburn 851 SC Boattail Speedster 1,012,000 800,000 – 900,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
69 1993 Porsche 964 Carrera RS 3.8 1,001,000 1,100,000 – 1,400,000 Gooding Pebble Beach

NOTE: Based on first published results and may include post-hammer deals. All prices include auction premium.

$20-Million-Plus Cars at Monterey 2018

RM Sotheby's Monterey Auction 2018
Darin Schnabel © 2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Only 47 cars have ever sold for more than $10 million at public auction and only 11 for more than $20 million. Three of these valuable cars were sold during the Monterey Week 2018 auctions:

  • The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO sold for $48,405,000 as the most-expensive car ever sold at public auction. It obviously also set a new Ferrari and RM Sotheby’s company record.
  • The 1935 Duesenberg SSJ sold for $22,000,000 as the most-expensive American car and most-expensive prewar car ever sold at public auction. It also set a new Duesenberg marque and Gooding company record.
  • The 1963 Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition Prototype sold for $21,455,000 as the 11th most-expensive car ever sold and the second Aston Martin to have achieved over $20 million at public auction.

The 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II at $9,795,000 narrowly missed the $10 million mark but was still the second most-expensive Ford ever.

Million-Dollar-Plus Cars at Monterey 2018

2007 Porsche RS Spyder
© Gooding

The 69 cars sold for more than $1 million at the various Monterey Week 2018 auctions included 20 cars made by Ferrari, 11 by Mercedes-Benz, 11 by Porsche, 4 by Duesenberg and 3 by Bentley.

The most-common model names included eight Ferrari 250s and eight Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs. Mercedes Benz 300 SL prices were relatively strong and many more are likely to test the market at common auctions. The Gullwing at Bonhams was the highest 300 SL Coupe result in four years.

1928 Bentley 6 ½ -Liter Open Sports Tourer by Barker
1928 Bentley 6 ½ -Liter Open Sports Tourer by Barker © Bonhams

The oldest million-dollar result was for a 1928 Bentley 6 ½ Litre Open Sports Tourer while a 1908 American Underslung 50 HP Roadster also received an unsuccessful million-dollar bid.

The newest million-dollar cars were a 2017 Ford GT and a 2017 Ferrari F12tdf. A 2018 Bugatti Chiron attracted a $3.1 million bid but like 15 other 21st century cars failed to sell despite bids above a million dollar.

Top Unsuccessful Highest Bids at Monterey 2018

The following were the highest unsuccessful bids at the Monterey Week 2018 auctions:

Year Car Price ($) Estimate ($) Auction House Auction
1 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C HB 10,300,000 12,000,000 – 14,000,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
2 1960 Ferarri 250 GT SWB Alloy Berlinetta Competizione HB 8,893,500 9,500,000 – 12,500,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
3 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta HB 8,700,000 Refer to department Bonhams Quail Lodge
4 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Berlinetta HB 7,400,000 7,500,000 – 9,000,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
5 1950 Ferrari 166 MM/195 S Berlinetta Le Mans HB 5,500,000 6,500,000 – 7,500,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
6 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta HB 3,400,000 4,300,000 – 4,600,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
7 1954 Ferrari 375 America Coupe by Vignale HB 3,250,000 3,500,000 – 5,000,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
8 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari HB 3,200,000 3,250,000 – 3,500,000 Mecum Monterey
9 2018 Bugatti Chiron HB 3,100,000 3,300,000 – 3,900,000 Bonhams Quail Lodge
10 1995 Ferrari F50 HB 3,000,000 3,700,000 – 4,200,000 Mecum Monterey
11 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta HB 2,800,000 3,000,000 – 3,100,000 Mecum Monterey
12 1966 Ford GT40 Mk I HB 2,800,000 3,500,000 – 4,000,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
13 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO HB 2,550,000 2,750,000 – 3,250,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
14 2017 Lamborghini Centenario LP770-4 HB 2,250,000 2,750,000 – 3,000,000 Mecum Monterey
15 2014 Pagani Huayra HB 2,200,000 2,500,000 – 2,700,000 Mecum Monterey
16 2015 Bugattin Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Roadster HB 2,000,000 2,000,000 – 2,200,000 Mecum Monterey
17 1968 Porsche 908 Works Short-Tail Coupe HB 2,000,000 2,300,000 – 2,800,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
18 1958 Porsche 550A Spyder HB 2,000,000 4,500,000 – 5,000,000 Mecum Monterey
19 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Cabriolet HB 1.550.000 2,000,000 – 2,300,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
20 1975 Gulf-Mirage GR8 HB 1,950,000 2,500,000 – 3,500,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
21 2014 Bugattin Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse HB 1,800,000 2,100,000 – 2,600,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
22 1967 Ford GT40 Mk IV HB 1,750,000 2,500,000 – 3,000,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
23 2015 McLaren P1 HB 1,700,000 1,700,000 – 1,800,000 Mecum Monterey
24 2012 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport 16.4 HB 1,700,000 1,700,000 – 1,800,000 Mecum Monterey
25 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Spider Competizione HB 1,700,000 2,300,000 – 3,500,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
26 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Convertible HB 1,675,000 1,900,000 – 2,500,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
27 2017 Ford GT HB 1,600,000 1,700,000 – 1,900,000 Mecum Monterey
28 2010 Bugatti Veyron (Sang Noir) HB 1,550,000 1,700,000 – 1,800,000 Mecum Monterey
29 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder HB 1,500,000 1,800,000 – 2,000,000 Mecum Monterey
30 2008 Lamborghini Reventon HB 1,500,000 1,700,000 – 2,000,000 Mecum Monterey
31 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Long Nose HB 1,500,000 2,000,000 – 2,500,000 Mecum Monterey
32 1952 Siata 208 CS Corsa Spider HB 1,450,000 1,800,000 – 2,200,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
33 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Series V Grand Sport Roadster HB 1,400,000 1,800,000 – 2,200,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
34 1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast Series II HB 1,350,000 1,750,000 – 2,000,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
35 1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan HB 1,350,000 1,750,000 – 2,000,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
36 1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A S Roadster HB 1,250,000 1,500,000 – 2,000,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
37 1933 Rolls Royce Phantom II Continental Fixed Head Coupe HB 1,150,000 1,400,000 – 1,800,000 RM Sotheby’s Monterey
38 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra HB 1,100,000 1,100,000 – 1,300,000 Mecum Monterey
39 2010 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport HB 1,050,000 1,500,000 – 1,800,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
40 2017 Ferrari F12 TdF HB 1,000,000 1,100,000 – 1,200,000 Mecum Monterey
41 1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing HB 1,000,000 1,300,000 – 1,400,000 Mecum Monterey
42 1952 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback HB 1,000,000 1,500,000 – 2,000,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
43 1908 American Underslung 50 HP Roadster HB 1,000,000 1,200,000 – 1,400,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
44 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 Periscopica HB 979,000 1,100,000 – 1,500,000 Gooding Pebble Beach
45 2008 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 HB 950,000 1,000,000 – 1,000,000 Mecum Monterey
46 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra HB 950,000 1,100,000 – 1,300,000 Bonhams Quail Lodge
47 1931 Bentley 8 Liter Silent Bloc Saloon HB 920,000 1,000,000 – 1,600,000 Bonhams Quail Lodge

Note: HB indicated highest unsuccessful bid as reported by Hagerty. Some cars may have sold in post-hammer deals.

1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C, chassis 09063, (Estimate: $12,000,000 – $14,000,000)
© Gooding

If all the highest bids were accepted, at least 47 more cars could have sold for more than a million dollar at the Monterey 2018 auctions.

The top five unsuccessful highest bids were for Ferraris with Gooding, RM Sotheby’s and Bonhams each failing to sell a top Ferrari. Some highest bids were very close to lower estimate and it was surprising that more deals were not done at or immediately after the auctions.

2018 Bugatti Chiron
© Bonhams

Several 21st century hypercars failed to sell including six Bugatti Veyrons. 15 21st century cars attracted highest bids of more than a million dollar but did not sell. Most of these cars were offered at Mecum, and with several bids at or very close to the estimate begged the question if the owners really intended to sell – compared to the catalogue auctioneers (Bonhams, Gooding and RM Sotheby’s), the cost to the vendor of a car not selling due to a high reserve at Mecum is very low.

2018 Monterey Week Classic Car Auctions

Monterey 2018 Auction Results

Auction Previews:

Pre-Sale Announcements

1911 Mercedes 28/60 Tourer
© Bonhams

Bonhams Quail Lodge 2018:

Gooding Pebble Beach 2018:

Mecum  Monterey 2018:

1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, chassis 3413 GT
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, chassis 3413 GT – Patrick Ernzen © 2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2018: