Fall 2025 Newsletter Volume 80

ABOUT MONTEREY CAR WEEK

Monterey Car Week is a tradition that’s been firing on all cylinders for many generations, only improving with time. Event organizers work hard to avoid overlap between gatherings that appeal to the same crowd, and for good reason, as there’s too much automotive brilliance to miss. While many top-tier Monterey Car Week events come with a price tag, and is a great value. One of the best kept secrets of Monterey Auto Week is that you can see many of these amazing cars without attending the any auctions. Even if you’re not planning to drop millions on a car, there’s plenty to appreciate.

As for the auctions themselves, entry fees can be quite reasonable, though free admission is rare. But even if you’re not planning to drop millions on a car, there’s plenty to appreciate. You’ll find a range of vehicles, not just the multimillion-dollar showstoppers. So whether you’re bidding or just browsing, Monterey Car Week offers plenty of automotive beauty to feast your eyes on without emptying your wallet.

MONTEREY CAR WEEK - RM/SOTHEBY'S

RM Sotheby’s returned to the Portola Hotel and Monterey Conference Center for its 28th Monterey sale. The auction brought together some of the world’s finest collector cars and generated a high level of interest from bidders around the globe. The total sales exceeded $165 million, with an 87 percent sell-through rate and participants from 46 countries.

Ferrari models dominated much of the spotlight. Leading the pack was the 2025 Ferrari Daytona SP3 “Tailor Made” which sold for about $26,000,000 as a charity lot benefiting The Ferrari Foundation. That one car alone set a high bar and helped RM Sotheby’s post not only one of its most successful Monterey auctions ever, but also multiple world model records for cars like the F40, F50, and the LaFerrari. A 1993 Ferrari F40 LM by Michelotto sold for over $11 million, an ex-Ralph Lauren owned 1995 Ferrari F50 received 9,245,000, which was well above its pre-sale estimate. 

RM/Sotheby's auction displayed unusual and high profile cars, but also showed what collectors currently like. Newer Ferraris got a lot of attention, however older Pre-War cars, as well as those built for long road trips performed well. This indicates that collectors still value automotive history and authenticity. 

RESULTS & RECAP

Ferrari continued to domi​nate top sales, with a 1955 410 Sport Spider claiming the second spot with a $12.985 million sale. This legendary race car was driven by notable figures like Argentine racing driver Juan Manuel Fangiois who raced in Formula One competition and winner of 5 Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles and other accolades. The third highest sale was another Ferrari, this time a 1959 250 GT LWB California Spider, which sold for an impressive for $5.615 million. 

Many other highly sought-after vehicles crossed the auction block, including notable Pre-war classics such as a 1934 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe that sold for $3.75 million. Modern hypercars were also impressive, with a 2023 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport selling for $3.5 million!

Top 10 Sales at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2025:

2025 Ferrari Daytona SP3 “Tailor Made” – $​26,000,000
1993 Ferrari F40 LM by Michelotto – $​11,005,000
1995 Ferrari F50 (ex-Ralph Lauren) – $​9,245,000
2017 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta – $​6,715,000
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Special Roadster – $​5,340,000
2015 Ferrari LaFerrari – $​5,230,000
1935 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton by Walker-LaGrande – $​4,405,000
1989 RUF CTR1 “Yellowbird” Lightweight – $​4,295,000
1990 Ferrari F40 – $​3,855,000
1955 Ferrari 375 Plus Spyder by Sutton – $​5,200,000

The 2025 RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction continued to show its importance to car collectors. The auction performed very well, selling cars from many different years, makers, achieving high prices, drawing interest from people worldwide. This showed how much people love classic cars, and just how strong the market remains. This year’s sale featured everything from old, valuable models to today’s fastest sports cars.

Mecum Auctions

Mecum’s Monterey 2025 auction took place at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa and Del Monte Golf Course. The sale brought in a wide variety of collector and vintage automobiles as well as vintage motorcycles that attracted bidders from not only the United States, but abroad.  The auction generated about $45 million in sales, with 6 cars hammering for over a million dollars each, with many more exceeding their estimates. Several German and British cars among the lots drew attention not only for their past pedigree, but for how well preserved or restored they were.

Some of the more significant models included a fully restored 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S (which topped the sale), 2 Mercedes-Benz 300SLs - a Gullwing and a Roadster, and several standout Porsches that were among the million dollar+ sales. Even in a crowded auction schedule, Mecum’s offerings delivered many moments of excitement.

1962 Ferrari 250 GTO on display; it will be featured at Mecu​​m's upcoming Kissimmee, FL Sale January 6-18, 2026.    

Mecum's Top 10 Sales:

1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S – $​1,980,000
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing – $​1,650,000
1959 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster – $​1,485,000
1932 Duesenberg Model J Sweep Panel Dual Cowl Phaeton – $​1,320,000
1969 Dodge Hemi Daytona NASCAR – $​1,320,000
1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight – $​1,045,000
2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition – $​​891,000
2025 Ferrari SF90 Spider – $​715,000
2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series P One Edition – $​682,000
2024 Porsche 911 S/T – $​676,500

As with past sales, Mecum’s Monterey 2025 auction featured an eclectic mix of vehicles and great results! From rare European classics to iconic American muscle cars, the diversity of the offerings reflected a healthy and dynamic collector car market, reinforcing the Auction House's reputation for bringing together cars that appeal to not only seasoned collectors, but new collectors alike.

1955 PORSCHE PRE-A SPEEDSTER

Broad Arrow Auctions

Broad Arrow’s Monterey auction returned to the Monterey Jet Center on August 13-14, 2025, carrying with it high expectations and delivered some truly outstanding moments. The two-day event was held at the Jet Center, where the sale offered an impressive roster of collector cars ranging from modern supercars to rare classics. The Auction house achieved approximately $57.4 million sales with an 80 percent sell-through rate in addition to world record prices and a host of vehicles that exceeded sales estimates. 

One of the most noteworthy results was a 2005 Maserati MC12 Stradale, which sold for $5,202,500, which set a new model record, becoming one of the select offerings of the sale. Also drawing attention were rare several hypercars as well as limited‐production supercars such as a 2008 Koenigsegg CCXR, which sold well above its expectations, along with numerous Porsches and other modern classics showing just how diverse the collector car market appetite is right now.

While top dollar results made the biggest headlines, there was diversity throughout Broad Arrow's catalog. Several mid estate cars as well as numbers-matching classics found new homes, with many selling within or just above pre-sale estimates. The overall competitive bidding and variety of cars was appreciated by spectators and collectors alike who admired not just the specific marque lots but the volume of of entries from vintage roadsters to European sports cars, hypercars resonated with attendees. 

TOP 10 BROAD ARROW AUCTION SALES

Broad Arrow’s Monterey Jet Center 2025 auction stood out as one of the more dynamic and record‐setting sales of Car Week. With a strong mix of marquee lots, world record prices, and vehicles with deep provenance, the event demonstrated that collector interest remains robust and diverse. For buyers, sellers, and enthusiasts, the sale delivered both thrilling headline numbers and a rich variety of vehicles that spoke to passion as much as investment.

Broad Arrow Auctions Top 10 Sales:


2005 Maserati MC12 Stradale – $​​5,202,500
1991 Ferrari F40 – (Price not disclosed publicly) 
2008 Koenigsegg CCXR Targa – $​3,222,500
1991 Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer DLS – $​​2,645,000
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Coupe – $​2,562,500
DBZ Centenary Collection – ​(Price not disclosed publicly)
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe – $​​​1,902,500
1963 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso (former David Letterman ownership) – $​​1,622,000
1980 BMW M1 Procar Coupe – $​​1,600,000
1962 Shelby 260 Cobra Roadster – $​​1,545,000

MOTORLUX

Motorlux returned on the evening of August 13, 2025, as the spectacular opening night event of Monterey Car Week. Held at the Monterey Jet Center under Hagerty’s banner, the event welcomed a sold-out crowd of 4,250 guests to enjoy the immersive atmosphere. Guests wandered among over 275 collector cars, 15 aviation displays, and a host of culinary staging from Michelin-guide-recognized restaurants including Atelier Crenn, Maligne, and Coastal Kitchen. Fine wines and spirits flowed freely, paired with theatrical live-grill experiences and elevated hospitality throughout.

The automotive installations themselves were both thematic and inspiring. Exhibits included From Stuttgart with Love, paying tribute to Porsche and its legacy; America’s Wild Horse, celebrating 60 years of the Mustang; 200 MPH Club, showcasing cars engineered for extreme speed; and The Mercedes Maestro, honoring the aesthetic legacy of Bruno Sacco. Each exhibit was beautifully curated, with attention to design, authenticity, and presentation, making the tarmac look like a rolling automotive gallery.

A highlight for our team was showing our recently restored 1956 Jaguar XK-140 MC at Motorlux. The Jaguar was very well received, drawing attention from both aficionados and the general crowd for its craftsmanship, flowing lines, and period correctness. It fit very elegantly among the themed installations, standing out for its style and restoration quality. It was a strong moment for us, helping further showcase the work behind the XK-140 MC and reinforcing the car’s growing presence during Monterey Car Week.

Jaguar's new concept car titled "Type 00"was shown at Motorlux, as well as The Quail...

Beyond the cars, Motorlux 2025 delivered on food, drink, community, and spectacle. More than 40 noted restaurants and local vendors participated, blending fine dining with approachable hospitality. Over 30 wine labels poured offerings, some of them 100-point vintages. Live entertainment under the stars, elegant lighting on the tarmac, and the aviation displays added dimension and drama, especially as daylight gave way to evening.

The event also tied in with the Broad Arrow Auction happening over the same weekend. Select lots were previewed at Motorlux, giving attendees early access to view rare cars before they crossed the auction block. This blending of lifestyle, automotive spectacle, and auction previews helped set the tone for the rest of Car Week. Motorlux also kept focus on giving back. The event benefits the CHP 11-99 Foundation, supporting families of California Highway Patrol personnel in need, and the Navy Postgraduate School Foundation. The sense of community and contribution added a meaningful dimension to what is already a glamorous opening night.

Motorlux 2025 delivered more than a luxury showcase. It created a polished, sensory-rich beginning to Monterey Car Week that reminded everyone why this time of year is so special. For our team, the positive reception of the XK-140 MC was both gratifying and energizing. The event underlined the importance of craftsmanship, presentation, and atmosphere, not just performance or rarity as much of what makes collector car culture resonate. Motorlux set a high bar this year, and it lays the foundation for even greater moments in the future!

This year marked one of the first major auction events since Gooding & Company officially merged with Christie’s. The deal, announced in late 2024, brought together Gooding’s strong collector-car auction brand with Christie’s global reach. At the 2025 Pebble Beach auctions held August 15-16, under the Gooding Christie’s name, the sale catalog included 153 lots and achieved an 85% sell-through rate. Total realized was about $128 million, making it one of the most significant results for the newly rebranded house.

Among the highlights of the sale: a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Competizione for $25,305,000; a 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione Series III; A 1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Prototipo, and a rare 1952 Jaguar C-Type. While Ferrari sales seemed to dominate headlines, there was plenty of diversity to be found in the catalog. Sports and racing heritage models, limited edition Porsches, and classic Jaguars also made a splash. The overall sale was viewed as strong, especially when considering economic and classic car market headwinds. However the merger with Christie’s seems to have added a level of prestige to the newly merged brand without losing what collectors expect from Gooding’s detailed presentation of quality.

GOODING CHRISTIE'S RESULTS & RECAP

The 2025 Gooding Christie’s Pebble Beach auction was a strong debut under the merged name, demonstrating that the combined strengths of Gooding & Co and Christie’s can deliver in both volume and headline-making sales. The record price for the Ferrari California Spider Competizione anchored a sale that appealed not only to longtime collectors but also to those seeking marquee cars with unmatched authenticity. While Ferraris dominated many of the top results, the standout sales of Jaguar, Aston Martin, and other blue-chip marques showed that the breadth of interest remains wide. For anyone watching collector car trends, this auction confirmed that rarity, history, presentation, and consistent quality remain the core drivers of demand.

Top 10 Sales at Gooding Christie's: 

1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Competizione – $​25,305,000 
1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione Series III – $​8,145,000  
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider – $​7,550,000 
1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Prototipo – $​7,265,000 
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta – $​4,850,000
1990 Ferrari F40 – $​3,800,000 
1952 Jaguar C-Type – $​3,635,000 
1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT – $​3,195,000
2021 RUF CTR Anniversary – $​3,140,000
1994 Bugatti EB110 Super Sport Coupe – $​2,755,000

Bonhams’ Cars Quail Auction at Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel delivered strong results and high energy this year. It took place on August 15, 2025 during Monterey Car Week. The sale resulted in $44.7 million, with a 96% sell-through rate. Highlights of the sale included the Future Classics collection which included two dozen supercars offered without reserve. This group included headliners like a 2020 Bugatti Divo and other hypercars, proving to be a major bidder draw. Numerous top sales came from within this collection, which really underscored the appetite for modern performance machines in addition to many classic but older vehicles.

Spectators and bidders also showed strong interest in the mix of vintage, pre-war, and post-war classics outside the hypercar group. The older cars, rarer marques, and well-restored examples held their own, especially those with provenance and condition. While the big figures came from modern hypercars, many of the “everyday collector” lots saw competitive bidding, and most achieved or exceeded estimates.

Photo Gallery

(ALL BONHAMS PHOTOS COURTESY OF BONHAMS.COM)

BONHAMS RESULTS & RECAP

The Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction was a powerful display of what the collector car market is embracing right now. Hypercars and modern supercars led the top sales, but classic machines still held their place and drew strong interest. This combination of new and old once again solidified that rare cars in great condition with provenance drive today's value in the market...and with an almost complete sell-through rate, Bonhams Quail Lodge Sale proved it remains one of the premier auctions of Monterey Car Week.

Top 10 Sales at Bonhams:

2020 Bugatti Divo – $​8,557,500
2023 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport – $​4,460,000
2021 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport – $​3,965,000
2017 Pagani Huayra Roadster – $​3,305,000
2022 Pagani Huayra R – $​3,030,000
2022 Apollo Intensa Emozione “Ocean Dragon” – $​3,442,500
2021 Koenigsegg Regera – $​2,700,000
1985 Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 – $​1,765,000
1956 Ferrari 250 Europa GT – $​1,512,000
1938 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 B Mille Miglia Berlinetta – $​687,000

If you have been to Monterey Car Week, you know The Quail is not just another car show. It is the one that everyone talks about. Held at Quail Lodge & Golf Club under clear August skies, the 2025 event felt like stepping into the center of the automotive world for a day. Walking in, you could not help but pause. Rows of pre-war machines gleamed like jewelry, modern hypercars drew crowds three people deep, and a corner of the lawn featured concept cars that looked like they belonged on another planet. 

This year’s theme focused on “launches and coachbuilt excellence,” and there was plenty to see. Lamborghini introduced its new Fenomeno, Lexus brought a sharp-looking Sport Concept, and Singer and Gunther Werks lined up their reimagined classic Porsches. The Concept Lawn kept visitors lingering, with everything from EV prototypes to bespoke limited-production cars displayed side by side, designers on hand to talk through the details.

Seeing our 1956 Jaguar XK-140 MC on the field was a proud moment for our team, as it sat among some of the most prestigious cars in the world, it received steady attention from photographers and enthusiasts alike. The event made great visibility for the XK-140 MC, and reinforced its status among collectors as more than just a restoration, but more of a classic standing its ground among the diverse collection of vehicle assembled at The Quail.

The stories were everywhere you looked. Seventeen Ferrari F50s gathered to celebrate the model’s 30th anniversary. Gordon Murray’s S1 LM impressed with its screaming V12. Bugatti’s one-off Brouillard drew constant crowds. Lexus hinted at the future with its Sport Prototype crossover concept. Each display offered something different to discover. As with past events, Bonhams once again held its auction alongside the Quail, with over a hundred collector cars crossing the block. The beautiful atmosphere of the lawns gave way to bidding inside, adding another layer of excitement to an already full day at The Quail.

MONTEREY CAR WEEK - PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS

Sunday, August 17, 2025

Early morning at Pebble Beach started quietly. A bit of fog. The sound of engines in the distance. Then cars began to appear on the fairways, one after another, until the grass was full of them. By the time the gates opened, there were 229 entries from 22 countries and 31 states. The Pacific on one side, spectators on the other, and nothing but sunlight and polished metal in between.

Our team was on hand to take in this magnificent display of automotive artistry, and the breadth of machinery on the fairway was breathtaking. While the Pebble Beach Concours has long been known for pre-war automobiles, the 2025 edition featured a notable increase in post-war coachbuilt cars, concept vehicles, and modern limited-production entries, demonstrating how the event continues to evolve with changing collector interests. 

The big trophy this year went to the 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C ‘Tulipwood’ Torpedo by Nieuport-Astra. Its body was built from thin mahogany panels held together by what seemed like thousands of tiny aluminum rivets. Judges loved it. So did the crowd. Last year a 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports took the top prize, a car with deep roots in pre-war racing. The Hispano-Suiza felt different — more about design and craftsmanship than raw competition.

Away from the winner’s circle, there was no shortage of cars to study. The Chrysler Centennial display brought out seldom seen coachbuilt Imperials including a 1933 Imperial CL LeBaron Phaeton. Elsewhere, a 1948 Chrysler Town & Country Convertible excited attendees with its wood paneled bodywork and charm. Post-war concepts grabbed attention too. The Automobili Pininfarina Battista drew constant crowds, as did a handful of one-off Porsche and Aston Martin designs that looked as much like sculptures as automobiles. Some celebrated racing history. Others stood out for design alone. A few did both.

By late afternoon the Pacific light turned golden, reflecting off chrome and polished paint. Pre-war, post-war, and future concepts shared the same fairways at Pebble, and it was hard to walk away without a sense of respect for the craftsmanship and imagination behind it all!