RM Sotheby's Tops $161 Million in Sales, Breaking World Records Across Various Models at Monterey Car Week

RM Sotheby's sees 87.25% of all lots sell at their annual flagship auction during Monterey Car Week with the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider leading the sales of the three-day auction as cars from all eras set auction world records.

• 87.25% of all lots sold, including 33 lots over $1 million and 5 lots over $5 million, with bidders from 39 countries participating, adding to the auction's international appeal.

• The 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider sold for over $17 million, leading the auction. Multiple world records were set across various models, including the Ferrari F50 at $5.5 million.

• The top 3 cars were the Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, Ferrari 410 Sport Spider ($12.985 million), and Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider ($5.615 million).

• The auction featured a wide range of vehicles, from American classics to European supercars, with notable sales including a 1996 Porsche 911 GT2 Clubsport ($2 million) and a 1989 Lamborghini LM002 ($703,500).

For the 27th consecutive year, RM Sotheby's arrived in Monterey, presenting another spectacular three-day event with bidders hailing from 39 countries. The auction featured a diverse range of vehicles, from American classics to European supercars, and achieved a total of $161,169,680 in sales and 87.25% of all lots sold with 33 lots selling for more than $1 million and five lots selling for more than $5 million.

On Thursday night, 50 lots were offered at no reserve, all finding new owners. The evening's top lots included a stunning 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster and a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, both of which sold for $1,352,500 each, with the 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible selling for $1,160,000.

Friday night saw record-breaking performances across a spectrum of automotive eras and categories. Highlighting the evening was a stunning 1995 Ferrari F50, one of just 55 original US-delivery models and in exceptional condition with only 8,556 miles. Accompanied by its original books, this Ferrari commanded a top spot with a record-setting price of $5,505,000. On the other end of the spectrum, the 1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster, renowned as one of the finest examples in existence, fetched an impressive $1,270,000, surpassing the previous record by over $500,000. Showing the strength of the pre-war classics market, the 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Murphy sold for more than its pre-auction estimate at $1,875,000.

Ferraris dominated the auction on Saturday, capturing the top spots of the evening. Leading the night was the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti. This extraordinary car, the very first 250 GT SWB California Spider ever built and widely regarded as the finest and most significant example, sold for $17,055,000, making it the top lot of the auction. Following closely was the 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider by Scaglietti. Driven by the legendary Carroll Shelby and boasting just four discerning owners over the past 53 years—including a notable 37-year period in a premier Ferrari collection—it sold for $12,985,000. Completing the top three was the 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider by Scaglietti. As the 19th of just 50 long-wheelbase examples and with 19 years of meticulous care under its current ownership, it achieved $5,615,000.

Another highlight from the night was the 1996 Porsche 911 GT2 Clubsport. One of only 194 street-legal GT2s, and one of just 33 specified with the Clubsport package, this example boasts a numbers-matching engine and gearbox, a concours-quality mechanical and cosmetic renovation, and sold for $2,012,500.

The auction also set several records beyond the Ferrari marque. The 1989 Lamborghini LM002, featuring a fresh cosmetic restoration in its original Olive Green with a brand-new Crème interior, sold for $703,500. The 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster, presented in pristine condition with 150.5 miles on the odometer and finished in paint-to-sample Grand Prix White with full Yachting Blue leather, brought in $775,000. Additionally, the 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic, the most powerful Porsche Type 992 911 with a manual transmission, was presented in near-new condition with fewer than 77 miles sold for a record-breaking $764,000.

'It felt like all of the Monterey Car Week attendees were in the room throughout the auction weekend, and we presented an incredibly diverse group of cars. We saw over a dozen examples break world records, including the Ferrari F50, which sold for $5.5 million, among others. The energy in the room on Saturday was electric, and it was especially gratifying to see the first California Spider find a new home for over $17M. Overall, the entire weekend was amazing, and now we're looking ahead to the fall, where we'll be offering the Mercedes-Benz W196 and more.' - Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions, RM Sotheby's

Top 10 Lots

1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti sold for $17,055,000

1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider by Scaglietti sold for $12,985,000

1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider by Scaglietti sold for $5,615,000

1995 Ferrari F50 sold for $5,505,000

1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Alloy by Scaglietti sold for $5,285,000

1934 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Lungo Spider by Eagle Coach Works sold for $4,075,000

2023 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport sold for $3,497,500

1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy by Scaglietti sold for $3,481,000

2021 Bugatti Chiron Sport Noire sold for $3,360,000

1932 Delage D8 S Roadster by Pourtout sold for $3,305,000

Records Broken

1971 Maserati Ghibli SS 4.9 Spyder by Ghia sold for $775,000

1932 Delage D8 S Roadster by Pourtout sold for $3,305,000

1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster sold for $1,270,000

1996 Vector M12 sold for $246,400

1995 Ferrari F50 sold for $5,505,000

2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet sold for $621,000

1989 Lamborghini LM002 sold for $703,500

2003 Saleen S7 'Competition Package' sold for $709,000

2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic sold for $764,000

2008 Spyker C8 Laviolette sold for $582,500

1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0 sold for $2,370,000

1996 Porsche 911 Speedster Remastered by Gunther Werks sold for $1,215,000

2008 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Roadster sold for $1,352,500

2009 Ferrari 430 Scuderia sold for $478,000

2023 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport sold for $3,497,500

1985 Porsche 959 'Vorserie' sold for$1,655,000

Photo credit: Dan Vaughan / conceptcarz.com
posted on conceptcarz.com

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