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.

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.

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

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

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.

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”.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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
- 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