A dazzling array of high-profile lots at Gooding & Co and RM Sotheby’s marked one of the most impressive offerings ever seen during Monterey Car Week, with a number of record-breaking results being posted throughout the weekend.
The highest price of $20.78m went to the 1956 Le Mans-winning Jaguar D-type, which was top billing at RM Sotheby’s. The Ecurie Ecosse racer became the most expensive British car ever sold at auction, comfortable eclipsing the $14.3m paid for an Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato at the firm’s New York sale in 2015.
A record was also set for the most valuable American car ever sold at auction, when the very first Shelby Cobra crossed the block in the same auction for $13.8m. The 1962 Shelby Cobra 260 Roadster was offered from the Carroll Hall Shelby Trust.
Despite the record-breaking sales, according to Hagerty’s market analysis, the Monterey Car Week auctions suffered a 14% slip in total sales values – down from $396m in 2015 to $339.7m. Just 56% of cars offered were sold, the lowest rate seen since 2000.
1. 1955 Jaguar D-type $21.8m (RM Sotheby’s)
2. 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C Lungo Spider $19.8m (RM Sotheby’s)
3. 1959 Ferrari 260GT California LWB Alloy Spider $18.2m (Gooding & Co)
4. 1962 Shelby Cobra 260 Roadster $13.8m (RM Sotheby’s)
5. 1960 Ferrari 250GT SWB Competizione Coupé $13.5m (Gooding & Co)
6. 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza $12m (Gooding & Co)
7. 1932 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster $10.4m (Gooding & Co)
8. 1956 Ferrari 250GT Tour de France Coupé $5.7m (RM Sotheby’s)
9. 1950 Ferrari 166MM Berlinetta $5.4m (Gooding & Co)
10. 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spider $5.2m (RM Sotheby’s)
