RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction 2024

For 10 days each year in one of the most picturesque coastal cities in California, thousands of people descend to witness a gathering of some of the world’s finest, most expensive and sought after cars. The Pacific coast city of Monterey is taken over by Monterey Car Week, one of the most exclusive and affluent motoring events on the calendar anywhere in the world.

With events taking place all over the city, there are prestigious auctions from major auction houses, new car launches from the biggest manufacturers and motoring events from track action and parades to the legendary Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The latter sees some of the rarest and most expensive cars the world has ever seen go head-to-head to compete for the prestigious Best of Show at what is widely considered the most prestigious event of its type in the world.

Amongst the hype around the new car launches and concours competitions, one of the highlights are the calibre of cars that are consigned to be sold at the numerous auctions that take place throughout the week. 2024 has definitely lived up to expectation with some of the finest and rarest cars ever made being auctioned at one of the sales in particular, the RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale from 15-17 August. With so many sought after vehicles going under the hammer this year, we thought we’d take a look at some of our favourites.

Flagship Favourites

If one brand is certain to be the standout vehicles in any collection it is Ferrari. The famous prancing horse commands some of the highest prices in auctions around the world and Monterey is no exception. Of the 206 lots going under the hammer at the RM Sotheby’s auction, almost a quarter of them are Ferrari’s, and some are very sought after indeed.

1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider

The Ferrari 250 GT California is one of the most sought after and collectible cars in the world, and with good reason. The stunning design and flowing lines of the hand crafted bodywork, the symphony from the Tipo V12 engine under the bonnet and the glamour and grandeur of the brand at the time is more than enough to captivate collectors. In its time it was the very best of the best, quite simply the highest performing open car of its era, created to be driven to the track, raced in and then driven home.

Though this particular example is just that bit more special than the others. Of the 56 SWB California Spider cars built, this is the very first. The very car Ferrari showcased at the 1960 Geneva Motor Show and equipped from the factory with competition-specification engine, covered headlights and the removable hard top. Not only that but this car retains its original engine, gearbox, rear axle and bodywork and features a unique dashboard layout. It is the finest and most significantly important example of the model and one that will be the most coveted part of any collection. The guide price for this exceptional piece of automotive history is $16m-$18m.

See more details: 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider | RM Sotheby’s

1934 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Lungo Spider

In the 1930’s few cars could offer the thrill of driving and the ultimate feeling of performance like an Alfa Romeo. The 8C was assured its place as a racing legend after securing 4 straight wins at Le Mans by 1934 and as such many did not survive the turmoil of racing or were hidden away in museums or permanent collections. This example however remains as its very first owner enjoyed it and has been cared for most of its lifetime by one of the foremost enthusiasts of the brand.

This exceptional 1934 8C retains its original coachwork and major mechanical components, even down to the supercharger. Its significance and testament to its condition means that it has never been fully restored yet has achieved much success at concours competitions around the world thanks to its originality. An exceptional example of a complete ‘2.3’ with a long and comprehensive history file including the original logbook, this stunning Alfa Romeo would be the pride of any collection. The guide price for this exceptional example is $4.5m-$6m.

See more details: 1934 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Lungo Spider | RM Sotheby’s

Racing Pedigree

One of the biggest factors that make the value of a particular car so high is the background story, and few raise its value more than racing pedigree. A vehicle that has graced some of the finest racetracks around the world, competed in some of the most legendary events and driven by the great drivers of a generation can mean its value exceeds many other rare and sought after examples. In that respect, the Monterey auction has some of the most exceptional racing cars available.

1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider

With a racing history as long and illustrious as Ferrari’s, it is not surprising that some of their most iconic classic racing cars command the highest auction prices. This particular car however is one of the finest examples of that calibre around. A one-off sports racing ‘Speciale’, this 410 Sport Spider was the prototype for the Ferrari 410 Scuderia works cars, tailor made and with unique hand crafted bodywork by legendary coachbuilder Sergio Scaglietti.

Piloted by none other than Caroll Shelby to victory in the Palm Springs Road Race of 1956, the car was part of the collection and raced under one of the most famous Ferrari teams of the era, Tony Parravano. Comprehensively restored in recent years, the car is arguably the most original of the four 410 S examples, with no damage sustained during its short racing career, a rare occurrence in its day. It also retains its original matching-numbers engine and benefits from being one of the most impeccably designed and historically important cars of its era. The guide price for this legendary racing spider is ‘in excess of $15m’, a testament to its desirability and significance.

See more details: 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider | RM Sotheby’s

1955 Porsche 550 Spyder

One of the only brands with as much success around a racetrack as the famous prancing horse is Stuttgart’s finest, Porsche. Their 550 Spyder was their first purpose-built competition model and thanks to extremely lightweight and pioneering structure and bodywork construction, weighed just 550kg, hence the name. Thanks to this featherweight mass the car was incredibly nimble and quickly became the car to beat, racking up victories at Le Mans, Mille Miglia and the Carrera Panamericana and multiple events around the world in a short space of time.

This particular example is the second to last 550 production car ever made and was specifically built for one of the most notable figures in post-war American sports car racing, John von Neumann. It has enjoyed an illustrious racing career at the hands of some of the eras most notable drivers before finding itself amongst some of the finest collections in the world. In recent years it has been restored to its original racing configuration and retains its matching numbers gearbox and period exact rebuilt engine specification. Its provenance and exacting restoration standard mean that the guide price for this Porsche racing icon is $3.75m-$4.25m.

See more details: 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder | RM Sotheby’s

Formula 1 Icons

For those who have built their collections around famous racing cars of the ages, few can ignore the chance to add a Formula 1 car to their line-up. As well as the historic F1 cars throughout the ages, the chance to purchase a more modern variation of a famous car is quite the spectacle for any collector, especially if it has been driven by one of the most famous racing drivers of all-time.

2002 Ferrari F2001b

The Ferrari Formula 1 car from 2002 is arguably one of the greatest racing cars of all time. For the Scuderia Ferrari team and their legendary driver, Michael Schumacher, it was an utterly dominant display from start to finish and resulted in securing the drivers title 3 months before the end of the season, after just 11 races. Not only that, but by securing his fifth world title it tied him with the great Jaun Manuel Fangio, as well as Ferrari’s fourth consecutive and 12th overall constructors title.

This particular car was raced to victory at the 2002 Australian Grand Prix and achieved third at the Malaysian Grand Prix, its pole position at the latter resulting in Ferrari’s 150th F1 pole position. Not only that but it holds the unique position of having a 100% record of podium positions during its competitive career, very few cars could match that feat. The 2002 Ferrari F2001b is a masterpiece of design and a pinnacle example of a Formula 1 car that defined a dominant and successful era for the brand and for Schumacher himself. The guide price for this historically important piece of F1 history is $8m-$10m.

See more details: 2002 Ferrari F2001b | RM Sotheby’s

2006 McLaren-Mercedes MP4-21

If historical importance is something you require for your collection, few can match the pedigree of this 2006 McLaren-Mercedes MP4-21. Designed by Adrian Newey before his departure for Red Bull Racing, it would prove to be the test car for arguably the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time, Sir Lewis Hamilton. Raced by then first team driver Juan Pablo Montoya in the first 3 races of the Formula 1 season, the car never finished higher than 4th, yet it is its use as a test car for the future 7-time champion that proves its significance.

Fully restored by McLaren Heritage Racing, the 21A-03 chassis car is a rare example of a Formula 1 car documented to have been driven by Hamilton that is outside of a factory collection. Its use as a test car for a future F1 great prior to his announcement as a McLaren-Mercedes driver, that also comes with competitive race use, as well as its design and development by Newey, means that this car has one of the greatest provenances of any F1 cars of recent years. The fact that it retains its engine, gearbox, onboard computer and steering wheel means it could even be used for on track exhibitions or specialist racing meets. The guide price for the car is $2.8m-$3.5m.

See more details: 2006 McLaren-Mercedes MP4-21 | RM Sotheby’s

Modern Magnificence

Though many people associate buying a car at an auction as mainly just for classic cars, there are a number of thoroughly modern or sometimes even brand new examples to be found. At an auction as prestigious as the RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction it obviously has to be something very special to make the cut, and luckily the modern cars going under the hammer certainly do not disappoint.

2023 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport

The Bugatti Veyron and the subsequent Chiron are a technical example of what is physically possible with a car. The fact that they have over 1,000bhp and can comfortably exceed 250mph yet be as relaxing as a luxury saloon and as easy to drive as a family hatchback is a testament to the engineering and pursuit of excellence by the Bugatti designers and engineers. The Chiron Super Sport takes that idea to the next level. Built to celebrate the achievements of the Super Sport 300+’s 300mph record speed run, the Super Sport offered similar styling and aerodynamic alterations yet toned down only slightly for refinement and luxuriousness.

The Super Sport’s 8.0-litre quad-turbocharged W12 engine produces almost 1,600bhp and has a limited top speed of 273mph, simply staggering statistics. Its ‘long tail’ appearance and aerodynamic enhancements aid the top speed, whilst the usual Bugatti penchant for exquisite attention to detail and sublime luxury means the interior is just as impressive. This particular example is one of just 80 Chiron Super Sport examples and has covered only 243 miles since new. Finished in very stylish Argent over Black carbon and a Havana leather interior, the guide price for this exceptional vehicle is $3.75m-$4.25m.

See more details: 2023 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport | RM Sotheby’s

2015 Ferrari LaFerrari

Before Bugatti were pushing the envelope with their impressive Chiron, Ferrari were showing their hand in the shape of their LaFerrari. Not just the first roadgoing hybrid Ferrari, but one using Formula 1 technology to produce a 950bhp hypercar that handled just as impressively as it accelerated. As part of the ‘holy trinity’ of hypercars that included the McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder, the technological achievements of all 3 cars were a testament to what was physically possible. The LaFerrari however in recent years commanding more of a premium price than the other two cars such is its demand and rarity.

One of just 500 cars globally, this particular LaFerrari has covered less than 5,000 miles and is specified in tasteful Nero with Nero wheels and Giallo pin striping and matching brake calipers. Even for a $1million car when new, the car is highly specified and comes with sought after options such as the sports exhaust system and plentiful carbon fibre optional extras. The latest in the long line of era-defining supercars from the famous prancing horse, the LaFerrari is the ultimate roadgoing Ferrari, and a superb addition to any collection. The guide price for this exceptional car is $3.6m-$4m.

See more details: 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari | RM Sotheby’s

Unicorns

A unicorn in car terms is something so rare that you are not likely to ever find another, if ever at all. A car that may not necessarily how it left the factory or in original condition, but offers something so unique that its value can only be estimated and could easily be worth so much more if the demand is there on auction day. Owners of such cars know they have something special and as such can either have them in pride of place in their collection and shown to only a select few, or shown of as often as possible at events around the world.

1991 Ferrari F40 ‘Minty Forty’

The Ferrari F40 is already one of the most sought-after cars from the early 1990’s. The outrageous eye-catching design combined with incredible performance figures and no compromise mission to produce simply the most impressive Ferrari ever made is a testament to the final car Enzo Ferrari personally oversaw. From the racing inspired steel-tube frame chassis to the even lighter Kevlar and carbon fibre bodywork, the F40 was a pioneering masterpiece. Power came from a 2.9-litre V8 engine producing almost 480bhp and resulted in a 0-62 mph time of just 3.8 seconds and the first production car to exceed 200mph.

This unique example, whilst undergoing restoration work that would include a full respray, was to be given an identity all of its own and treated to the same ideals that Enzo initially intended, to make a bold statement. In homage to another unique car, Sir Stirling Moss’ famous 250 GTO, this F40 was finished in Verde Pallido with the interior also retrimmed in Blue. Such is the attention at shows and on social media since the new lease of life for the car, Ferrari themselves have actually commissioned official licenced models in 1:8 and 1:18 forms. In all, over £40,000 has been spent with maintenance, restoration and the unique colour scheme in the last 18 months alone. The car has covered under 20,000 miles since new and represents an opportunity to buy something unique for its new owner, with a guide price of $1.9m-$2.5m.

See more details: 1991 Ferrari F40 ‘Minty Forty’ | RM Sotheby’s

2014 McLaren P1

As a spiritual successor to the iconic McLaren F1 of the 1990’s, the expectation for the P1 was already very high. Thanks to the introduction of the latest hybrid technology, advanced active aerodynamics and racing engineering, the P1 certainly did not disappoint. With almost 900bhp on offer from the combined petrol and electric motors the P1 could accelerate from 0-62mph in just 2.7 seconds and keep going to almost 220mph. But it was the way the car handled that impressed more than anything with its racetrack performance offering staggering levels of grip and downforce to eclipse almost anything else at the time. Each of the 375 examples built also offered a seemingly unlimited choice of customisation and choices when it came to how you wanted your P1 to look.

This particular example took that criteria to the next level. Not only is it the earliest example of a P1 ever offered to the public, being chassis number 002, it featured over $100,000 in McLaren Special Operations options on top of the $1.15m list price. Then, after learning that McLaren were to offer exposed carbon fibre versions of the P1 for sale, the owner returned the car to McLaren’s MSO department for fitment of a fully exposed green-tinted carbon fibre bodywork that it features now, matching the already green-tinted carbon fibre trim to the interior. It is believed to be the only factory-upgraded example and so impressed were the MSO team with the finished product, the engine bay bears their signatures of the craftsmen involved. Fastidiously maintained over its lifetime and following a $135,000 major service in the past 12 months, this unique creation is offered at a guide price of $1.95m-$2.35m.

See more details: 2014 McLaren P1 | RM Sotheby’s

Whilst we have highlighted just 10 of the cars going under the hammer at this year’s RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction, there are so many exquisite vehicles it was certainly difficult to choose from the over 200 listings. Take a look at the complete catalogue of Lots here: LINK

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