The top results at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2021 classic car auction were a marque record $20,465,000 paid for 1995 McLaren F1 and a strong $10,840,000 paid for a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competition.
The two most expensive cars sold during the Monterey Car Week sales in mid-August 2021 were at the Gooding Pebble Beach classic car auction. A time-capsule 1995 McLaren F1 sold for a marque record $20,465,000 while a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competition achieved $10,840,000. A 1929 Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix with race-winning provenance sold for a strong $5,615,000. Further outstanding results were nearly $4 million for a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe, nearly $3 million for a 1914 Stutz 4E Bearcat, and just over a million dollar for a 1964 Porsche 356 C Carrera 2 Cabriolet. Gooding sold 24 cars for over a million dollar each with 7 further cars attracting unsuccessful bids of over a million dollars each.
Gooding Pebble Beach Sale 2021
Gooding & Company will hold its traditional Pebble Beach sale on 13 and 14 August 2021 at the Pebble Beach Parc du Concours during the annual Monterey Motoring Week in California, USA. It will be a traditional live auction.
In 2021, Gooding earned $107,045,410 at Pebble Beach selling 115 of 132 lots for a sell-through rate of 87% and an average price of $930,829 per lot.
After Monterey Week 2020 was canceled, Gooding earned $14,497,443 in the replacement Geared Online 2020 auction selling 55 of the 77 lots on offer for a sell-through rate of 71%. Five cars sold for more than a million dollar.
In comparison, at Pebble Beach in 2019, Gooding earned $76,824,740 with a sell-through rate of 77% – 108 of 140 lots offered — and 17 cars sold for over a million dollar each. This was already down on the $116.5 million earned in 2018 and the record $129.8 million earned in 2016 at the peak of the market.
Million-Dollar Results at Gooding Pebble Beach Sale 2021
The top 24 results at the Gooding Pebble Beach classic car auction during Monterey Motoring Week 2021 all achieved results above a million dollar:
| Year | Car | Price ($) | Estimate | |
| 1 | 1995 | McLaren F1 | 20,465,000 | In Excess of $15,000,000 |
| 2 | 1959 | Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione | 10,840,000 | 10,000,000 – 12,000,000 |
| 3 | 1929 | Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix | 5,615,000 | 3,500,000 – 4,500,000 |
| 4 | 1958 | Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet | 4,405,000 | 4,500,000 – 5,500,000 |
| 5 | 1930 | Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe | 3,965,000 | 3,000,000 – 4,000,000 |
| 6 | 1967 | Ferrari 275 GTB/4 | 3,662,500 | 2,750,000 – 3,500,000 |
| 7 | 1961 | Aston Martin DB4GT | 3,305,000 | 3,400,000 – 3,800,000 |
| 8 | 1963 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 3,085,000 | 2,000,000 – 2,500,000 |
| 9 | 1914 | Stutz 4E Bearcat | 2,920,000 | 2,750,000 – 3,500,000 |
| 10 | 1992 | Ferrari F40 | 2,892,000 | 1,700,000 – 2,200,000 |
| 11 | 1963 | Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series II Coupe Aerodinamico | 2,535,000 | 2,200,000 – 2,600,000 |
| 12 | 1910 | Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Pullman Limousine | 2,535,000 | 2,000,000 – 2,600,000 |
| 13 | 1980 | Porsche 935 K3 | 1,930,000 | 2,500,000 – 3,000,000 |
| 14 | 1968 | Lamborghini Miura P400 | 1,902,500 | 1,400,000 – 1,800,000 |
| 15 | 1965 | Ferrari 275 GTB | 1,792,500 | 1,800,000 – 2,200,000 |
| 16 | 1965 | Ferrari 275 GTS | 1,765,000 | 1,300,000 – 1,600,000 |
| 17 | 2015 | Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach | 1,682,500 | 1,100,000 – 1,300,000 |
| 18 | 1953 | Siata 208 CS | 1,627,500 | 1,400,000 – 1,800,000 |
| 19 | 1964 | Ferrari 250 GT Lusso | 1,490,000 | 1,200,000 – 1,500,000 |
| 20 | 1986 | March 86C | 1,435,000 | 1,500,000 – 2,000,000 |
| 21 | 1956 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 1,325,000 | 1,200,000 – 1,400,000 |
| 22 | 1970 | Lamborghini Miura P400 S | 1,325,000 | 1,200,000 – 1,500,000 |
| 23 | 1964 | Shelby 289 Cobra | 1,160,000 | 900,000 – 1,000,000 |
| 24 | 1964 | Porsche 356 C Carrera 2 Cabriolet | 1,039,000 | 650,000 – 850,000 |
Million-Dollar Cars at Gooding Pebble Beach 2021
Gooding had several stunning results at the Pebble Beach 2021 classic car auctions. Some of the more interesting results and cars include:
1995 McLaren F1 — Most Expensive McLaren Ever Sold
A 1995 McLaren F1 with only 390 km (242 miles) on the clock increased the marque record to $20,465,000 as the top result in the Gooding Pebble Beach 2021 classic car auction and the top result of all Monterey Car Week sales in 2021. The presale estimate was “in excess of $15 million”.
The McLaren F1 became the 13th most expensive car ever sold at public auction and only the 13th car to achieve over $20 million and the first one to do so since 2018. It was after the $22 million 1935 Duesenberg SSJ the highest result ever achieved at a Gooding auction.
This McLaren F1 was the 25th of 68 road-going cars built with a further 38 race track versions. It was the only F1 delivered in Creighton Brown and was preserved in a timewarp state by its original Japanese owner with its later period in the USA not adding any further mileage to the odometer.
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione
A rare 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione in Italian flag livery sold for $10,840,000 as the second most expensive car sold at Gooding Pebble Beach 2021 and of all the Monterey Car Week 2021 sales. It is only the second car to have achieved over $10 million in 2021.
Between 1957 and 1962, Ferrari built just 106 California Spiders: 50 examples of the original long-wheelbase (LWB) model, and 56 of the later short-wheelbase (SWB) variant. Further, of the 50 LWB California Spiders built, only about 10 were prepared new from the factory with competition features.
This Competizione version with its distinct Italian flag livery was one of very few originally delivered in Europe and accounted for most of the LWB California Spider in-period racing experience in Europe.
1929 Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix
The third highest result at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2021 sale was for a 1929 Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix that sold for $5,615,000 — a model record well above its presale estimate of $3,500,000 – $4,500,000. It is one of 340 built but it is a rare works racer with a brief but brilliant racing career, winning the 1929 Grand Prix de l’ACF and Spanish Grand Prix, raced by the legendary Monegasque driver Louis Chiron and the notable English driver William Grover-Williams.
1930 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe
Gooding also had a strong $3,965,000 result for a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe — one of the most expensive Model Js ever. Chassis 2263, was ordered by Esther Fiske Hammond, the granddaughter of the innovating Boston merchant James Madison Beebe and founder of the Jordan Marsh department store chain. She requested that the dual spare wheels be relocated to the rear, allowing the beautiful sweep of the fenders to rise along the now exposed scuttle. This was seldom seen on a Model J, resulting in a vastly more sporty-looking vehicle. Five chromed spears were also added ahead of the running boards to complement those rear fenders, making this example one of just two Convertible Coupes built by Murphy adorned with this lovely rear-spare option.
In 2019, the restored Model J took First Place in the Duesenberg class at Pebble Beach and won the CCCA Trophy, an annual award given to the most significant Classic Car on the field.
1914 Stutz 4E Bearcat
A 1914 Stutz 4E Bearcat sold for $2,920,000 at the Gooding Pebble Beach auction 2021 — one of the highest results ever for a pre-First World War automobile and setting a new marque record for a Stutz. Chassis 2250, is a genuine pre-1915 example of the legendary model, presented with thorough documentation of its decorated past. It is incredibly rare to come across a Bearcat with known provenance. Chassis 2250 boasts a roster of owners consisting of the very best names in car collecting, including Smith Hempstone Oliver, Thomas McKean, Winthrop Rockefeller, William Harrah, and James Conant. This Series E Bearcat has also participated in landmark events, such as the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup and the final ARCA race at the 1940 New York World’s Fair.
Further Top Results at Gooding Pebble Beach 2021
Ferraris were surprisingly rare at classic car auctions in 2021 prior to Monterey Car Week but Gooding alone sold eight for over a million dollars at Pebble Beach. Most sold for near top estimate but the 1992 Ferrari F40 achieved a stunning $2,892,000 — the highest result ever for a non-LM version of the F40. An F40 at Bonhams sold in a post-hammer deal for a more regular $1.6 million, which is already somewhat higher than recent results.
A similarly spectacular result was $3,085,000 paid for a 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster — one of the highest 300 SL results ever. This Roadster was one of the six produced in the final week of production.
A supremely elegant 1910 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Pullman Limousine sold for $2,535,000 — the highest Rolls-Royce result in years and only the third one to achieve over $2 million at auction since 2014.
The performance of Porsches at Monterey 2021 was mixed with racing cars generally struggling. Gooding had a surprisingly good result on a 1964 Porsche 356 C Carrera 2 Cabriolet that achieved $1,039,000 — well above presale estimates. A 2018 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach sold for $1,682,000 — two further 918s sold for similar money at RM Sotheby’s and Mecum to return prices for the model to the higher price levels last regularly seen in 2017.
A 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 sold for $1,902,500 to set a new model record.
Top Cars Not Sold at Gooding Pebble Beach 2021
The top cars failing to sell at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2021 classic car auction were:
| Year | Car | Price ($) | Estimate |
| 1998 | Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR Strassenversion | HB 7,000,000 | 8,500,000 – 10,000,000 |
| 1966 | Ford GT40 Alan Mann Lightweight | HB 5,100,000 | 7,000,000 – 9,000,000 |
| 1957 | Maserati 200 SI | HB 3,300,000 | 4,000,000 – 4,500,000 |
| 1931 | Bentley 4 ½ litre Supercharged Blower Sports Tourer | HB 2,600,000 | 3,000,000 – 4,000,000 |
| 1956 | Maserati A6G/54 Coupe | HB 2,300,000 | 2,500,000 – 3,250,000 |
| 1958 | BMW 507 Series II | HB 2,000,000 | 2,400,000 – 2,800,000 |
| 1955 | Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America | HB 1,000,000 | 1,300,000 – 1,500,000 |
The most disappointing car not to have sold at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2021 classic car auction was probably the 1966 Ford GT40 Alan Mann Lightweight. As with the 1967 Ford GT40 Mk IV that failed to sell at Bonhams Quail Lodge, the GT40 lacked significant racing results and had major bodywork alterations done.
The 1998 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR Strassenversion failing to sell within estimate was probably less surprising. The car was bought at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2018 sale for $4.5 million. The highest bid of $7 million showed the market had moved at least $3 million but not enough to satisfy the vendor.
Monterey Motoring Week 2021
Most of the traditional Monterey Motoring Week events returned in mid-August 2021 after the cancellations in 2020. Top classic car auctioneers with sales during Monterey Week 2021 included Gooding (Pebble Beach), Bonhams (Quail Lodge), RM Sotheby’s, and Mecum.
Monterey 2021 Auction Results:
- Monterey 2021 All Auctions: Auction Results General Overview, Top Ten Results, List of Million-Dollar Cars
- Bonhams: Quail Lodge Sale Results
- Gooding: Pebble Beach Sale Results, McLaren F1
- RM Sotheby’s: Monterey Sale Results, Andrews Estate Collection Sale
- Mecum: Monterey Sale Results
Monterey 2021 Auction Announcements:
- Bonhams: Mercedes-Benz 26/100/180
- Bonhams: Talbot-Lago T26 Décapotable
- Gooding: Ferrari California Spider Competizione
- Gooding: Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR Strassenversion
- Gooding: Prewar British Cars
- Gooding: Prewar American Cars
- Gooding: Bugatti Type 35B
- Gooding: Ford GT40 Alan Mann Lightweight
- Gooding: Neil Peart’s Silver Surfers Collection
- Gooding: American Racing Cars
- Gooding: Porsche 934 & 935
- Gooding: McLaren F1
- Gooding: Italian Coachbuilt Cars
- RM Sotheby’s: Porsche 917K
- RM Sotheby’s: Le Mans Racing Cars
- RM Sotheby’s: Andrews Estate Collection (Aston Martin DB4GTs)
- RM Sotheby’s: Top Ferraris
Previous Monterey Week Auction Results
