A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO and a 1963 Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition Prototype are the lead cars for the RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2018 sale.
RM Sotheby’s is dominating the top end of the classic car auction market at the Monterey Week 2018 sales with the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, chassis 3414, estimate $45,000,000 to $60,000,000, and the 1963 Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition Prototype, estimate $18,000,000 to $22,000,000. Other highlights include a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Alloy Berlinetta Competizione, a 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II, a 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Berlinetta and a 1957 Porsche 550A Spyder.
RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2018 Sale
RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2018 classic car auctions are scheduled for 24 to 25 August 2018 at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, California, USA.
In 2017, RM Sotheby’s earned $132,993,810 with a sell-through rate of 88%. RM Sotheby’s sold 32 cars for over a million dollar. The top result was $22,550,000 paid for a 1956 Aston Martin DBR1 – a marque and British-made car record.
In 2016, RM Sotheby’s grossed $118 million from just over 100 cars – 21 cars were sold for over a million dollar including three that sold for over $10 million and setting new marque records: a 1955 Jaguar D-Type, 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Lungo Spider and a 1962 Shelby 260 Cobra CSX2000 – the most-expensive American car ever.
The world’s single auction record remains RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2015 when three days of auctions grossed $172.7 million and million-dollar results for 35 cars.
Million-Dollar Cars at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2018 Sale
The following 36 cars are on offer at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2018 classic car auction with upper estimates exceeding a million dollar:
| Year | Car | Estimate ($) | |
| 1 | 1962 | Ferrari 250 GTO | 45,000,000 – 60,000,000 |
| 2 | 1963 | Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition Prototype | 18,000,000 – 22,000,000 |
| 3 | 1960 | Ferarri 250 GT SWB Alloy Berlinetta Competizione | 9,500,000 – 12,500,000 |
| 4 | 1966 | Ford GT40 Mk II | 9,000,000 – 12,000,000 |
| 5 | 1953 | Ferrari 250 MM Berlinetta | 7,500,000 – 9,000,000 |
| 6 | 1957 | Porsche 550A Spyder | 4,600,000 – 5,000,000 |
| 7 | 1934 | Packard Twelve Indivitual Custon Convertible Victoria | 4,500,000 – 6,000,000 |
| 8 | 1956 | Maserati A6G/2000 Berlinetta by Zagato | 4,250,000 – 5,250,000 |
| 9 | 1998 | Mercedes Benz AMG CLK GTR | 4,250,000 – 5,250,000 |
| 10 | 1954 | Ferrari 375 America Coupe by Vignale | 3,500,000 – 5,000,000 |
| 11 | 2014 | Ferrari LaFerrari | 3,000,000 – 4,000,000 |
| 12 | 1984 | Ferrari 288 GTO | 2,750,000 – 3,250,000 |
| 13 | 1972 | Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Spider Competizione | 2,300,000 – 3,500,000 |
| 14 | 1968 | Porsche 908 Works Short-Tail Coupe | 2,300,000 – 2,800,000 |
| 15 | 1971 | Lamborghini Miura P400 SV | 2,200,000 – 2,400,000 |
| 16 | 1965 | Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Convertible | 1,900,000 – 2,500,000 |
| 17 | 1948 | Tucker 48 | 1,800,000 – 2,100,000 |
| 18 | 1963 | Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso | 1,750,000 – 2,000,000 |
| 19 | 1966 | Ferrari 500 Superfast Series II | 1,750,000 – 2,000,000 |
| 20 | 2014 | McLaren P1 | 1,700,000 – 2,000,000 |
| 21 | 1963 | Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster | 1,650,000 – 2,000,000 |
| 22 | 1961 | Ferrari 250 GT Series II Cabriolet | 1,650,000 – 1,900,000 |
| 23 | 1927 | Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A S Roadster | 1,500,000 – 2,000,000 |
| 24 | 1955 | Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 1,450,000 – 1,650,000 |
| 25 | 1933 | Rolls Royce Phantom II Continental Fixed Head Coupe | 1,400,000 – 1,800,000 |
| 26 | 1954 | Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 1,400,000 – 1,600,000 |
| 27 | 1990 | Ferrari F40 | 1,400,000 – 1,600,000 |
| 28 | 1960 | Ferrari 250 GT Series II Cabriolet | 1,300,000 – 1,600,000 |
| 29 | 1973 | Porsche 911 Carrera RSH 2.7 | 1,300,000 – 1,600,000 |
| 30 | 1961 | Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster | 1,300,000 – 1,500,000 |
| 31 | 1956 | Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupe | 1,200,000 – 1,600,000 |
| 32 | 1966 | Shelby 427 Cobra | 1,200,000 – 1,500,000 |
| 33 | 1989 | RUF CTR | 1,000,000 – 1,200,000 |
| 34 | 1955 | Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America | 950,000 – 1,250,000 |
| 35 | 1962 | Maserati 5000 GT | 900,000 – 1,250,000 |
| 36 | 1958 | Bentley S1 Continental Fastback Sports Saloon | 800,000 – 1,000,000 |
Top Cars on Offer at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2018 Auctions
The top four cars on offer at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2018 all have upper estimates in excess of $10 million – a result achieved by only 44 cars at auction thus far.
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, chassis 3414, estimate $45,000,000 to $60,000,000, is by far the most-expensive car on offer at the Monterey Week 2018 classic car auctions. If it sells, it will become the most-expensive car ever sold at public auction – it is hard to imagine that the reserve margin could be below the $38,115,000 paid at Bonhams Quail Lodge 2014 auction for the current record holder – a 1962-3 Ferrari 250 GTO, chassis 3851 GT.
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO on offer was the third of only 36 built and one of only four to have been upgraded in period by Scaglietti with Series II GTO/64 coachwork. It is considered a very authentic and original GTO.
The Ferrari 250 GTO had a successful in-period racing history that contributed to Ferrari’s victory in the 1964 International Championship for GT Manufacturers. It was raced to 15 class and overall wins during the 1962 to 1965 season.
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO is undoubtedly the most-expensive car on offer at the Monterey Week 2018 auctions. However, it may have to compete for attention with the 1963 Ferrari 275 P that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in both 1963 and 1964. RM Sotheby’s will show the car that is available only through a private sale so the final price will likely never be known.
See 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Announcement for more on this Ferrari.
1963 Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition Prototype
The 1963 Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition Prototype, chassis DP215, estimate $18,000,000 to $22,000,000, was the works entry for the 1963 Le Mans Prototype Class and the final racing car built by Aston Martin in the period.
The DP215 was phenomenally fast: it was the first car to break the 300 km/h barrier at Le Mans with Phil Hill behind the steering wheel. It lapped the Le Mans circuit 6 seconds faster than the Ferrari 330 LMB and a full 12 seconds faster than the Ferrari 250 GTO. However, this all came to nothing when the gearbox failed after two hours.
The restored Aston Martin is not only race-ready but completely street legal: “as comfortable at 40 mph as it is at 180 mph-plus”.
The 1963 Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition Prototype could possible become the most-expensive Aston Martin ever but is likely to fall just short. The current marque record is $22,500,000 paid for the 1956 Aston Martin DBR1/1 at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2017 sale.
See 1963 Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition Prototype for more on this car.
1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Alloy Berlinetta Competizione
The 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Alloy Berlinetta Competizione, chassis 2163 GT, is one of 42 alloy-bodies cars completed in 1960. The car was not raced in period and retained its original gearbox but a period correct Tipo 168 engine was fitted in the 1970s. The car was refurbished in 2016 and returned to the original factory rosso chiaro paint scheme. The body work and chassis are in a very good state of preservation as the lack of in-period racing contributed to its accident free record.
1966 Ford GT 40 Mk II
The 1966 Ford GT 40 Mk II, chassis P/1016, finished the 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours race in third overall driven by Ronnie Bucknum and Dick Hutcherson (behind two Shelby American GT40s. It was the fourth of eight Mark II examples built and was the Holman-Moody / FoMoCo team car for 1966 to 1967.
See 1966 Ford GT40 Announcement for more on this car.
Top Ferraris at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2018
A third of the million-dollar plus cars on offer at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2018 are Ferraris. In addition to the 250 GTO and 250 GT SWB Alloy Berlinetta Competizione the follow are also of particular interest:
The 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Berlinetta, chassis 0244 MM, was the 15th of 18 built by Pinin Farina out of 31 250 MMs built. It was extensively raced in period in especially Scandinavia. It spent two decades in the Pierre Bardinon collection during which period it was restored to its original factory specification.
The 1954 Ferrari 375 American Coupe, chassis 0327 AL, features a unique coachwork by Vignale. It is one of only 12 of the 375 Americas produced and the first one to be offered at auction in seven years. The Ferrari retained its original color scheme and engine.
The 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari is one of four available at the various Monterey Week 2018 collector car auctions. This example has covered only 150 miles from new and is sold to benefit the College of Creative Studies in Detroit. The exterior including roof and mirrors is finished in rosso corsa without black accents.
The 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 NART Spider Competizione by Michelotti was the only competition specification 365 GTB/4 every built as a spider. It was entered for Le Mans in 1975 but withdrew in a dispute between Chinetti and the race organizers. It competed in the 1978 Daytona race but withdrew after protests about its non-standard body.
The 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO was the first of the model officially imported into Japan and was for long in the collection of Yoshiho Matsuda. It has only 13,200 km on the clock. This 288 GTO seems to be a good earner for RM Sotheby’s: it sold for $2,585,000 at the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2016 sale and $2,750,000 at the RM Auctions Arizona 2015 sale.
The RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2018 sale will be the first time ever that an example of all three Ferrari GTO series will be available in the same auction. A black 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO, estimate $575,000 to $650,000, completes the trio. It is one of the 125 US specification models out of 599 built.
Top Porsches at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2018
Porsches have featured prominently at most classic car auctions in recent months and RM Sotheby’s will have a special Porsche-only sale in Atlanta in October. Top Porsches are rather limited at Monterey 2018.
Surprisingly, the 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RSH 2.7 is one of only four million-dollar 911s on offer at all the Monterey 2018 classic car auctions. It is one of only 17 homologation Carreras built.
More interesting are two racing Porsches:
The 1957 Porsche 550 A, chassis 550A-0116, was successfully raced on the West Coast of America and has an extensively documented history. It is one of only 40 cars built on the racing specification 550A chassis. Although rare, a further 550A will be available at the Mecum auction with a 550 on sale at Gooding. Bonhams sold a Porsche 550A for a model record $5,170,000 at Scottsdale 2018 and that certainly encouraged owners to test the market.
The 1968 Porsche 908 Works Short-Tail Coupe, chassis 908-010, is one of only five short-tail coupes built out of a total 31 of the 908 model. It was the official Porsche works entry for the 1968 Spa 1000 KM race but crashed in the rain. The damaged racing car was placed in storage at the Porsche factory and would not race again. It was only restored in 2004 with a replacement engine fitted in 2016 for use at historic races.
Further Multimillion-Dollar Cars at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2018
A few further multimillion-dollar cars to watch at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2018:
Although RM Sotheby’s will offer two 300 SL Roadsters and two 300 SL Gullwings, the more interesting Mercedes Benz is the 1998 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR. It was the 9th of only 25 examples built of the road-legal version of the DTM racing car. It has only 1,500 km on the clock. It is federalized for use in the USA on a show and display allowance.
The 1934 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Convertible Victoria by Dietrich is offered from the collection of Judge Joseph and Margie Cassini. It is a unique factory show car with LeBaron.style fenders that retained its original chassis, engine, gearbox and body. It was awarded best of show at the Pebble Beach in 2013 and St John’s in 2016. See Pebble Beach Winners Announcement for more on this Packard and a 1927 Isotta Fraschini.
The 1956 Maserati A6G/2000 Berlinetta was the 11th of 20 built with Zagato berlinetta coachwork. The car participated in the 1956 Mille Miglia. It retained its original coachwork, engine and gearbox. The comprehensively restored car was awarded best in class at Amelia Island and Villa d’Este and second in class at Pebble Beach 2014. Gooding is also offering top Maseratis from this period at its Pebble Beach sale.
More on Monterey Week 2018 Auctions
Monterey 2018 Auction Results
- List of the 69 Cars Sold for at Least a Million Dollar at Monterey 2018 (and 47 unsuccessful million-dollar highest bids).
- 2018 RM Sotheby’s Monterey Sale Auction Results
- 2018 Mecum Monterey Sale Auction results
- 2018 Gooding Pebble Beach Sale (Auction Results)
- 2018 Bonhams Quail Lodge Sale (Auction Results)
- 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO – Most-Expensive Car Ever Sold at Public Auction
- 1935 Duesenberg SSJ – Most-Expensive American and Most-Valuable Pre-War Car Ever Sold at Public Auction
Auction Previews:
- 2018 Bonhams Quail Lodge Sale (Auction Preview)
- 2018 Gooding Pebble Beach Sale (Auction Preview)
- 2018 RM Sotheby’s Monterey Sale (Auction Preview)
- 2018 Mecum Monterey Sale (Auction Preview)
Pre-Sale Announcements
Bonhams Quail Lodge 2018:
- Golden Age Automobiles: 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Sport, 1931 Bentley 8-Liter Saloon and 1911 Mercedes 28/60 Tourer
- 1928 “W.O. Model” Bentleys: 6 ½ -Liter Open Sports Tourer by Barker & 4 ½-Liter Open Tourer by Vanden Plas
- 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta
Gooding Pebble Beach 2018:
- 1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series II: the only Ferrari factory team entry not to have raced in red!
- Unrestored Icons – the first production Bentley R-Type Continental, a Gullwing and garage-find Ferrari Lusso.
- Competition Ferrari Berlinettas: a 275 GTB/C, a 250 GT Tour de France, and a 166 MM/195 S Berlinetta Le Mans.
- 1935 Duesenberg SSJ – ex-Gary Cooper, ex-Briggs Cunningham
- Porsche Spyders – including a one-off 911 by Bertone.
- Coach-Built Italian Cars – Maserati A6GS/53 Spider, A6G/54 Berlinetta, Ferrari 330 GTC Special, Dino Berlinetta GT Prototype.
Mecum Monterey 2018:
RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2018:
- Pebble Beach Winners – 1934 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Convertible Victoria by Dietrich & 1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A S Roadster by Fleetwood
- 1956 Maserati A6G/2000 Zagato Berlinetta
- 1968 Porsche 908 K Works Racer
- 1966 Ford GT40 – third place at Le Mans
- 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO – expected to become the most-expensive car ever sold at public auction
- 1963 Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition Prototype – possibly the most-expensive Aston ever.
- Top Ferraris – 12 of 29 on offer have estimates above a million dollar.
- German racing cars: Mercedes Benz AMG CLK GTR & Porsche 550A