The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and all of the other high-falutin automotive events that surround it in the vehicular bacchanal known as Monterey Car week, manage to draw to the Northern California peninsula each August the crème-de-la-crème of the classic car collector community. Because of this concentrated audience of interested, and deep pocketed, potential buyers, the automotive auctions that take place during this annual celebration feature many of the rarest and priciest blue chip vehicles extant.
These days, that often means Ferraris. Not surprisingly, our compilation here of the ten most expensive cars up for sale at the various Monterey sales includes six Ferraris. We love Ferraris. But there are many other interesting seven- or eight-figure cars that don’t feature the prancing horse on their nose, flank, seats, dash, steering wheel, wheel hubs, and rear, and they’re represented here as well. We’re honored just to catch a glimpse of these museum-worthy vehicular sculptures in the flesh, but remember, when the hammer comes down, some lucky rich person gets to drive (or ship) them home.
($3 million - $3.8 million): Ferrari discovered a niche profit center in creating factory road cars for wealthy playboys, cars that could also be driven to the track and raced. This Mondial was the first of these, and featured voluptuous bodywork by Scaglietti, and a deliciously torquey four-cylinder engine by legendary racecar engineer Aurelia Lampredi. This particular car has the added honor of having won the 1955 Ethopian Grand Prix. [Gooding & Company]
($4.5 million - $4.7 million): New cars, even extremely limited-edition new vehicles like the LaFerrari, used to undergo depreciation before they began their seemingly inexorable ascent. Not so anymore. LaFerraris sold for around $1.5 million when they were released a two years back. This extremely low mileage car with its rare white/red color combination is now expected to sell for three times that amount. Its 949 hybrid hp, and 2.4 second 0-60 time might make that price worthwhile. [Mecum]
1956 Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta
($4 million - $5 million): The ultimate evolution of Maserati’s first real post-war car, this racecar-derived coupe sported a triple-carbureted straight-six making 180 hp, as well as elegant and curvy lightweight coachwork by famed Italian carrozzeria Zagato—one of only 21 cars so equipped. This particular car was separated from its original engine for a period of time, but a successful reunion has since occurred. [Gooding & Company]
1928 Mercedes-Benz S-Type 26/180 Sports Tourer
($5 million - $6 million): Mercedes-Benz was hell-bent on total domination almost as soon as the brand started producing vehicles, and this massive 6.8-liter straight-six sports car, with its giant Roots supercharger and accompanying whine and power rush, was one of its key implements for roaring through the tail end of the Roaring Twenties. Featuring many factory performance upgrades, and a unique sleek Gläser coachwork, this car is one of a kind. [Gooding & Company]
($5 million - $7 million): Designed by legendary Italian coach builder, Pininfarina, the 250 GT convertible has some of the cleanest, most elegant lines of any mid-Century Ferrari. This is the last of the forty convertibles build in the first series, and, as they say, practice makes perfect. This particular car was owned for 35 years by marque historian Hilary A. Raab Jr. and is impeccably kept, including its original logbook, owner’s manual, and tools. Another red-hot, not-red Ferrari. [Gooding & Company]
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($6.5 million - $7.5 million): Ferrari’s answer to the potent straight-six engines in the Jaguar D-type and Mercedes 300SL, the torquey and potent big six in the 121 LM made massive power. The chassis and brakes lagged, but the car was still a formidable contender at the Mille Miglia, Le Mans, and even at Pebble Beach, where this one was unfortunately crashed, resulting in the death of its driver. Painstaking restorations followed, revealing the charms of this French Blue stunner. [RM Sotheby’s]
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta
($8.5 million - $10 million): Ferrari’s in-house restoration and certification shop, Ferrari Classiche, verifies and validates the provenance of the brand’s vehicles. Nearly any of the 167 250 GTs is a blue chip classic, but this one was the one chosen to represent Ferrari Classiche at their stand at the Pebble Beach Concours a few years back. So, not only is it one of only 90 lightweight “lusso” 250s, it’s a clear standout, even amongst tippy-top tier cars. [RM Sotheby’s]
($12 million - $16 million): The 275 GTB/C was a lightweight, up-powered, Pininfarina-designed, Scaglietti-bodied, limited edition Ferrari, built for gentleman racers to drive on the track or on the road, and was made in a limited run of only twelve cars. This car has a proven race history, and retains its original chassis, body, and engine, all restored to beyond exacting standards by MPI, the preeminent US Ferrari specialists. Also, not red, which is a big plus for Ferraris, in our book. [Gooding & Company]
($13 million - $16 million): The 917K was created to give Porsche its first full-field win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race—a feat it accomplished upon its introduction in 1970. Porsche/racing fan Steve McQueen went to Le Mans that year intending to shoot the race, and then recreate parts of it, using racecar drivers as his actors. This car was used in his resulting film, Le Mans. Wearing its iconic Gulf livery, it is poised to become the most expensive Porsche sold at public auction. [Gooding & Company]
($20 million+): Aston Martin’s quest for racing triumph led owner David Brown to create the DBR1, a series of five purpose-built race cars with gloriously curvaceous bodies and potent straight-six engines derived from, but quite dissimilar from their production Aston brethren. This is the first, and best preserved, of these Le Mans-winning cars. Also, the one that won the 1951 Nürburgring 1000km, and was raced by legends Stirling Moss and Carroll Shelby. [RM Sotheby’s]
