2018 Gooding Pebble Beach Sale (Auction Results)

A 1935 Duesenberg SSJ sold for $22 million as the top result at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2018 classic car auction and most-expensive American car ever.

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

The highest prices at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2018 sale were achieved for a 1935 Duesenberg SSJ, a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France berlinetta and a 1955 Maserati A6GCS/53 Spider. The 1985 Duesenberg SSJ sold for $22,000,000 as the most-expensive American car and the most-expensive pre-war car ever sold at public auction. Gooding sold 25 cars for more than a million dollar each.

Gooding Pebble Beach Classic Car Auction 2018

Gooding and Company earned $116.5 million at the 15th annual Pebble Beach classic car auction held on 24 & 25 August 2018 on the Monterey Peninsula in California, USA. Gooding had an 84% sell-through rate with 123 of the 147 lots sold. The average price per car was $947,174 with 25 cars selling for above a million dollar and 23 world auction records set for models, including a new Duesenberg marque record.

1970 Porsche 917K at Auction
1970 Porsche 917K Setting a New Marque Record – © Gooding

In 2017, Gooding earned $91.5 million with sell-through rate of 81% – 110 of the 135 lots on offer sold. 22 cars achieved a million dollar with two of these over $10 million. A new marque record of $14,080,000 was set by a 1970 Porsche 917K that was used in the filming of Steve McQueen’s Le Mans.

In 2016, Gooding set a company record when $129.8 million was earned by selling 115 of 138 lots (83%). 26 cars achieved over a million dollar with four selling for over $10 million.

Million-Dollar Cars at Gooding Pebble Beach 2018

The following 25 cars sold for over a million dollar each at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2018 classic car auctions:

Year Car Price ($) Estimate ($)
1 1935 Duesenberg SSJ 22,000,000 Upon request
2 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta 6,600,000 6,500,000 – 7,500,000
3 1955 Maserati A6GCS/53 Spider 5,170,000 5,500,000 – 6,500,000
4 1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series II 5,005,000 5,500,000 – 7,500,000
5 2007 Porsche RS Spyder 4,510,000 Upon request
6 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder 4,455,000 4,000,000 – 5,000,000
7 1959 Porsche 718 RSK 3,740,000 3,600,000 – 4,100,000
8 1931 Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix 3,740,000 3,200,000 – 3,700,000
9 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale 3,410,000 3,300,000 – 3,800,000
10 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari 3,080,000 3,200,000 – 3,600,000
11 1966 Ferrari Dino Berlinetta GT 3,080,000 2,000,000 – 3,000,000
12 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante 2,805,000 2,800,000 – 3,300,000
13 1963 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster 2,530,000 1,800,000 – 2,200,000
14 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America 1,870,000 1,500,000 – 1,800,000
15 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS 1,760,000 1,500,000 – 1,800,000
16 2015 Porsche 918 Weissach Spyder 1,650,000 1,600,000 – 2,000,000
17 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso 1,485,000 1,700,000 – 2,000,000
18 1966 Porsche 911 Spyder 1,430,000 700,000 – 1,000,000
19 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso 1,320,000 1,400,000 – 1,800,000
20 1956 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing 1,127,500 1,100,000 – 1,300,000
21 1930 Packard 734 Speedster Phaeton 1,127,500 1,000,000 – 1,400,000
22 2011 Ferrari 599 SA Aperta 1,072,500 1,300,000 – 1,600,000
23 1991 Ferrari F40 1,050,000 1,000,000 – 1,200,000
24 1935 Auburn 851 SC Boattail Speedster 1,012,000 800,000 – 900,000
25 1993 Porsche 964 Carrera RS 3.8 1,001,000 1,100,000 – 1,400,000

Top Results at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2018 Car Auction

1935 Duesenberg SSJ

1935 Duesenberg SSJ
1935 Duesenberg SSJ © Gooding

No pre-sale estimate was given for the 1935 Duesenberg SSJ, chassis J-563, but Gooding expected a result “in excess of $10 million” and the Duesenberg marque record was well within sight. However, when the hammer came down at $20 million, and $22,000,000 was due, this Duesenberg SSJ became the most-expensive American car ever sold at public auction, the most-expensive pre-war car, the most-expensive Duesenberg and the most-expensive car ever sold by Gooding.

The 1935 Duesenberg SSJ, chassis J-563, is one of only two built on the shortened 125” chassis with this one originally belonging to Gary Cooper and the second one allocated to Clark Gable. Since 1949, this Duesenberg has been in the collection of Briggs Swift Cunningham that was sold in 1986 to Miles Collier.

New records set by this 1935 Duesenberg SSJ include:

  • Most-Expensive American Car Ever – the previous record was $13,750,000 paid for the 1962 Shelby 260 Cobra CSX2000 at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2016 sale.
  • Most-Expensive Pre-War Car Ever – the previous record for a pre-Second World War car was $19,800,000 paid for a 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider Touring at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2016.
  • Most-Expensive Duesenberg Ever – the previous Duesenberg marque record was $10,340,000 paid for a 1931 Duesenberg Model J Long-Wheelbase Coupe at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2011 sale – only the third car ever to have cost more than $10 million.
  • Most-Expensive Car Ever Sold by Gooding (and at Pebble Beach) – the auction house’s previous record price for a single lot was $18,150,000 paid for a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione at Gooding Pebble Beach 2016.

See 1935 Duesenberg SSJ – Most-Expensive American Car Ever for more on this amazing automobile.

Top Ferraris at Gooding Pebble Beach 2018

1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France, chassis 0905 GT, (Estimate: $6,500,000 – $7,500,000)
© Gooding

With a $10.3 million bid insufficient to buy the 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C, the top Ferrari result at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2018 classic car auction was $6,600,000 for a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta. This car was only sparingly raced, which certainly contributed to its fine condition. It was owned from 1966 by Fred Peters, who in 2104 had it completely returned to its original factory appearance including a striking dark grey metallic livery.

1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series II
1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series II © Gooding

Gooding’s second highest Ferrari result was $5,005,000 for a 1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series II, chassis 0556 (0446) MD that was extensively raced in period both by privateers and as an official Ferrari works entry. It famously finished the inaugural Venezuela Grand Prix in 1955 first in class as an official Ferrari entry when still painted French racing blue. It belonged to Rear Admiral Robert Philips since 1960 and is often referred to as the “Admiral’s Ferrari”.

1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale
© Gooding

The 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale, chassis 9653, sold for $3,410,000. This Ferrari is one of four GTC Speciales built and amongst the final coachbuilt Ferraris. It was a Pininfarina show car at the Geneva Auto Salon in 1967. The car was restored in the 1990s and has not been exhibited in the past 20 years.

1966 Ferrari Dino Berlinetta GT
© Gooding

The 1966 Ferrari Dino Berlinetta GT, sold for $3,080,00 – above the pre-sale estimate of $2,000,000 to $3,000,000. It was the second Ferrari Dino prototype built by Pininfarina. It was displayed at the Ferrari stand at the 1966 Torino Motor Show and played an important role in the development of the Dino 206 and 246GT. In contrast to the first Dino Berlinettta Speciale Prototype that was sold for $4,650,000 by Artcurial in Paris 2017, this prototype is a running and fully operational car.

1955 Maserati A6GCS/53 Spider

1955 Maserati A6GCS/53 Spider
© Gooding

Gooding’s third highest result at Pebble Beach 2018 was $5,170,000 for a 1955 Maserati A6GCS/53 Spider by Frua. It is one of only three spiders built by Carrozzeria Frua on the A6GCS/53 chassis.

Sold new in Italy, the Maserati was exported to the United States in 1959 and was displayed at numerous concours d’elegance in period, including the 1964 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. In 2010, the beautifully restored Frua Spider was shown at the exclusive Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, where it won Best in Class and the prestigious Coppa d’Oro award, which is the Best of Show by public referendum.

Top Porsche Results at Gooding Pebble Beach 2018

2007 Porsche RS Spyder
© Gooding

Gooding had several strong Porsche results at Pebble Beach 2018 with most selling within or above estimate.

The top Porsche result was $4,510,00 for a 2007 Porsche RS Spyder – as the first one offered at public auction, it obviously set a model record too. This RS Spyder was the last of six built for the 2007 season and one of around 15 produced in total. This model was one of the most successful prototype racing cars ever introduced by Porsche but the car on offer was not raced in period and only sparingly at historic races.

1955 Porsche 550 Spyder
© Gooding

The two 1950s Porsches sold at Goodig were successfully and actively raced in the period. The 1955 Porsche Spyder 550 is a matching numbers car in good mechanical condition. The 1959 Porsche 718 RSK is on of only 34 built and was raced in America by Ed Hugus, who also campaigned it at Le Mans in 1959.

1966 Porsche 911 Spyder by Bertone
© Gooding

The 1966 Porsche 911 Spyder design study by Bertone sold for $1,430,000 – well above the presale estimate of $700,000 to $1,000,000. This one-off car was produced by Bertone for influential car dealer John von Neumann in the hope that Porsche would produce it. The Spyder was shown at the 1966 Geneva Auto Show but Porsche ultimately preferred to produce the Targa that closely resemble the familiar 911 lines. This unique 911 Spyder would remain the only collaboration ever between Porsche and Bertone.

Million-Dollar 1930s Cars at Gooding Pebble Beach 2018

In addition to the new pre-war record-setting Duesenberg SSJ, Gooding achieved above a million dollar on several further 1930s cars:

Gooding achieved strong results on both a 1931 Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix and a 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante. The Type 51 was a works racing car and extensively campaigned in period. Both Bugattis retained their original coachwork.

Gooding also had good results with a 1930 Packard 734 Speedster Phaeton and a 1935 Auburn 851 SC Boattail Speedster. The Auburn sold well above estimate and at the same price as a similar car offered at Mecum.

Top Cars Not Sold at Gooding Pebble Beach 2018

The top highest bids, as reported by Hagerty, that were unsuccessful at Gooding Pebble Beach 2018 were:

Year Car Price ($) Estimate ($)
1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C HB 10,300,000 12,000,000 – 14,000,000
1950 Ferrari 166 MM/195 S Berlinetta Le Mans HB 5,500,000 6,500,000 – 7,500,000
1956 Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta HB 3,400,000 4,300,000 – 4,600,000
1966 Ford GT40 Mk I HB 2,800,000 3,500,000 – 4,000,000
1975 Gulf-Mirage GR8 HB 1,950,000 2,500,000 – 3,500,000
2014 Bugattin Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse HB 1,800,000 2,100,000 – 2,600,000
1967 Ford GT40 Mk IV HB 1,750,000 2,500,000 – 3,000,000
1961 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Cabriolet HB 1.550.000 2,000,000 – 2,300,000
1952 Siata 208 CS Corsa Spider HB 1,450,000 1,800,000 – 2,200,000
1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Series V Grand Sport Roadster HB 1,400,000 1,800,000 – 2,200,000
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan HB 1,350,000 1,750,000 – 2,000,000
2010 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport HB 1,050,000 1,500,000 – 1,800,000
1952 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback HB 1,000,000 1,500,000 – 2,000,000
1908 American Underslung 50 HP Roadster HB 1,000,000 1,200,000 – 1,400,000

As at Bonhams and RM Sotheby’s, the highest unsuccessful bid at Gooding Pebble Beach 2018 was for a top Ferrari.

In a satisfying auction week for lovers of classic Bugattis, none of the seven modern Bugattis (6 Veyrons and a Chiron) offered at Monterey was sold.

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: