Begun in 1950, the annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance has grown in stature over the last decade to become THE most important upmarket automotive event in the world. Five of the ten most expensive cars ever sold at auction have sold at Pebble Beach, with our stats showing that 12 of the top 20 and 57 of the top 100 have also sold at Pebble Beach, most of them in the last three years
The Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale shares the same nose and triple venting as the GTO (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale sold for US$26.4 million at the RM Auction in Monterey this past weekend (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 275 GTB/C designed by Scaglietti was the first Ferrari to feature an independent rear suspension and transaxle gearbox (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale up for auction was only one of three in existence (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Ferrari featured special body work exclusive to the 275 GTB/C (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 275 GTB/C designed by Scaglietti was the first Ferrari to feature an independent rear suspension and transaxle gearbox (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The US$26.4 million sale price made the Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciales one of the most expensive cars at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Ferrari's aluminum filler cap leads to a 37 gallon (140 L) gas tank (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Ferrari 275 GTB/C's interior (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Just some of the cars inside Gooding & Company's auction tent (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
One of the more humorous and popular vehicles was a 1959 Fiat 600 Jolly (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Gooding & Co's 1959 Fiat 600 Jolly sold for $82,500 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 2001 Ferrari 333 SP sold at auction for $2.365 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 2001 Ferrari 333 SP sold at auction for $2.365 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1929 Alfa Romeo 6S 1759 SS Spider was expected to bring $1.5 million but only managed to raise $836,000 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Very rare 1929 Alfa Romeo 6S 1759 SS Spider for sale at Gooding & Co (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1954 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing at Gooding & Co was the company's first production model (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
1954 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing was estimated to bring around $4 million but failed to make its minimum (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1954 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing with signature gullwing doors open (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1954 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing on display was a beautiful example of the first production car (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
1958 Aston Martin DB Mk II Drophead Coupe exceeded estimates and sold for just over $1 million at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The enigmatic and famous 1948 Tucker 48 was a huge hit at auction bringing in $2 million on the block (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1948 Tucker 48 had a number of design features that were ahead of its time (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Interior of the 1948 Tucker 48 that brought $2 million at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1948 Tucker 48 was considered one of the most advanced cars of its time (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A very rough 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Coupe went for a very healthy $1 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Interior of the 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Coupe illustrates the amount of restoration work needed (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1963 Maserati 3500 GT on hand to represent the Italian firm's 100th anniversary (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1927 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix at Gooding & Co was a beautiful example of early day machines (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1927 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix sold for just under $3 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Rarely seen 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America on display at Gooding & Co (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America managed to bring in $1.3 million on the Gooding & Co auction block (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The elegant interior of a 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider obviously made an impression selling for $15 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider shown on profile (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The luxury interior of a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Long Nose Alloy went for an impressive $4.62 million at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This 1938 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B Mille Miglia failed to sell on the day (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1938 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B Mille Miglia was expected to bring between $2 and $3 million at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione was anticipated to sell for between $5.5 and $7 million but failed to sell (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione was one of a few race bred machines to be up for auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Interior of the 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The racebred 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione ran a 4.4 liter V12 that developed 430 bhp on track (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A very red and rare 1967 Ford GT40 Mk I brought home $3.5 million on the day (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The bespoke interior of the Toyota 2000 GT was impressive for any make (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Gooding & Company's 1967 Toyota 2000 GT sold for an impressive $1.2 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Looking up the snout of the1967 Toyota 2000 GT shows the iconic grill and oversized awkward headlights (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Under the hood of a 1958 BMW 507 Series II (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The interior of the 1958 BMW 507 Series II was understated but impressive (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Gooding & Co 1958 BMW 507 Series II sold for an astounding $1.925 million at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1958 BMW 507 Series II showing off its forward pivoting hood and spotless engine compartment (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1955 Aston Martin DB3S on display was only one of 20 ever built (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1955 Aston Martin DB3S's one seat, right hand drive cockpit (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This 1955 Aston Martin DB3S sold for US$5.5 million. It was constructed in the factory race shop and debuted on the Aston Martin stand at the 1955 Earls Court Motor show (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1955 Aston Martin DB3S shows design features similar to a Ferrari Testa Rossa or Jaguar D-type (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1955 Aston Martin DB3S used an 3.0 liter inline six cylinder to generate 210 hp on track (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1955 Aston Martin DB3S brought in a healthy US$5.5 million at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
One of the most elegant cars on site was a 1954 Pegaso Z-102 Cabriolet (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
According to Gooding & Co the 1954 Pegaso Z-102 Cabriolet's design featured elements specifically for the female audience (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The rarely seen, yet elegantly styled 1954 Pegaso Z-102 Cabriolet sold for US$990,000 at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ, complete with racing trim, went for just over US$1 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ shown from the rear flanks (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1956 Ferrari 250 Europa GT went for $2.3 million, selling for just under its estimated minimum (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1956 Ferrari 250 Europa GT went for $2.3 million, selling for just under its estimated minimum (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This 1957 Buick Caballero Estate Wagon was expected to go for between $100,000 and $125,000 but because of its military fundraising association, managed to sell for $280,000 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This 1925 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster sold for $550,000 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A clean example of a 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort sold for $1.485 million at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort was one of only 242 special models built (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort exceeded its sales expectations at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The1988 Porsche 959 Komfort was the first performance car to feature an all wheel drive system (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Porsche 959 Komfort was the fastest production car in the world during the mid-80s (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Looking up the sculpted flanks of a 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort in the Gooding & Co tent (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1920 Mercer Series 5 Raceabout sold for just over $300,000 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The complicated steering wheel of the 1920 Mercer Series 5 Raceabout (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1927 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix sold for a mere $660,000 at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1927 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix was owned New by Baron Philippe de Rothschild (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1927 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix used a supercharged 1.4 liter inline four cylinder to make 90 hp (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A low mileage example of a 1980 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser went for a whopping $137,500 at Gooding & Co (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1924 Renault 6CV was one of the more unconventional and cheaper rides for sale, fetching $42,000 on the Gooding & Co auction block (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1924 Renault 6CV carried an estimate of $35,000 to $45,000 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This 1924 Renault 6CV up for auction had apparently been used as a movie vehicle at one point (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Vehicles don't get much more bare bones basic than the 1924 Renault 6CV up for sale at Gooding & Co (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This 1962 Shelby 260 Cobra was expected to bring around $2 million on the auction floor, but on the day didn't sell (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The hood ornament of a 1929 Packard 640 Convertible Coupe (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This 1929 Packard 640 Convertible Coupe managed to bring $220,000 at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1967 VW Type 2 Camper, complete with matching trailer, sold for just under $100,000 at Gooding & Co (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1968 Ferrari 206 Dino GT in brilliant yellow managed to fetch $750,000 at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1992 AAR/Toyota Eagle Mk II GTP racer, from the collection of Juan Manuel Fangio II, was the most dominant prototype in US racing history (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1992 AAR/Toyota Eagle Mk II GTP racer was the 1992/93 IMSA GTP champion and won the 12 Hours of Sebring, which might have explained the $1.05 million sale price (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Gooding & Co's 1995 McLaren F1 was expected to bring between $12 and $14 million but failed to sell (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Gooding & Co's 1995 McLaren F1 was one of the nicest examples of the world's fastest road car (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1995 McLaren F1 did get up to as high as $11 million but failed to make its reserve price (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The shifter in the McLaren F1 is located just behind the Kenwood sound system (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Cockpit of the McLaren F1 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1956 Maserati 250 F racer did manage to sell, bringing in $4.62 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1956 Maserati 250 F was driven to victory by Stirling Moss in its only grand prix outing (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1956 Maserati 250 F racer on display at Gooding & Co (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1956 Maserati 250 F racer did manage to sell for $4.62 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1956 Maserati 250 F was driven to victory by Stirling Moss in its only grand prix outing (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1956 Maserati 250 F sold for $4.62 million through Gooding & Company (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso was hoped to fetch between $1.7 and $2.5 million at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Another surprising disappointment, the 1966 Ferrari 365 P "Tre Posti" failed to meet the seller's minimum (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1966 Ferrari 365 P "Tre Posti" is so named for the radical seating arrangement (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1966 Ferrari 365 P's radical 3-seat configuration (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The bidding for this 1966 Ferrari 365 P made it to $22 million, but it wasn't enough to convince the owner to sell (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The gorgeous hoodlines of the 1966 Ferrari 365 P "Tre Posti" (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1967 Brabham Repco BT-24 Formula One sold for just over $1 million at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1967 Brabham Repco BT-24 Formula One ran a 3 liter V8 that delivered 333 bhp to the rear wheels (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1967 Brabham Repco BT-24 Formula One was the "Constructors Championship" car which helped bring it just over $1 million at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1967 Brabham Repco BT-24 Formula One cockpit (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta was another vehicle that failed to sell on the block (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A rare 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta greeted guests at the entrance to the Gooding & Co tent (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta's iconic hindquarters on display (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The most watched car of the week was the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta sold for a record breaking $38.1 at Bonhams (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta was rumored to sell for as high as $60 million before auctio,n but instead came in at $38.1 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Bonham's1969 Ferrari 365 GTC coupe with coachwork by Carrozzeria Pininfarina featured original paint, furnishings and interior trim (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1969 Ferrari 365 GTC coupe ran a 4.4 liter V12 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 "Daytona" Berlinetta Competizione conversion used a 4.4 liter V12 to develop 352 bhp (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 "Daytona" Berlinetta Competizione conversion by Carrozzeria Vari sits in the special showroom at Bonhams (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Ex-race car driver Phil Hill once drove this 1953 Ferrari 250 Mille Miglia Berlinetta that sold at auction for $7.62 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This 1953 Ferrari 250 Mille Miglia Berlinetta sold at Bonham's auction for $7.62 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1953 Ferrari 250 Mille Miglia Berlinetta on display in Bonham's top ten tent at Quail (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This blue on white 1953 Ferrari 250 Mille Miglia Berlinetta sold at Bonham's auction for $7.62 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Ex-race car driver Phil Hill once drove this 1953 Ferrari 250 Mille Miglia Berlinetta that sold at auction for $7.62 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1953 Ferrari 250 Mille Miglia Berlinetta from behind (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1953 Ferrari 250 Mille Miglia Berlinetta's interior (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1981 Ferrari 512 Boxer Berlinetta competed in two Le Mans 24 Hours races in the 1980s, and ran off a 5.0 liter flat 12 cylinder engine (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1981 Ferrari 512 Boxer Berlinetta at Bonhams featured a 5.0 liter flat-12 cylinder engine (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1981 Ferrari 512 Boxer Berlinetta spent 23 years in the Collezione Maranello Rosso collection (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A Ferrari Dino was part of the Maranello Rosso "Top 10" collection up for auction at the Bonham sale at Quail this year (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The iconic sunken hood of the mid-engined Ferrari Dino at the Bonham sale (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet on display at Bonhams (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet was a 1957 Turin Salone de l'Automobile show car and came with detachable hardtop (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet went to a lucky home for only $6.82 million at Bonhams (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The white 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet came with a spare engine (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Speciale Aerodinamica Coupe sold for $6.875 million at Bonhams (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Speciale Aerodinamica Coupe at Bonhams was one of only four Aerodinamica's to sit on a 250 GT SWB chassis (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Speciale Aerodinamica Coupe features expansive glass out back (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1968-69 Ferrari Dino 166/246T Formula 2/TASMAN at Bonhams sold for US$1.2 million on the day (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1968-69 Ferrari Dino 166/246T Formula 2/TASMAN Formula racing single seater at Bonhams featured a 1.6 liter Formula 2 engine (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Ferrari Dino 166/246T Formula 2/TASMAN Formula racer was one of several cars from the Maranello Rosso collection (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The open wheeled aesthetics of the 1968-69 Ferrari Dino 166/246T Formula 2/TASMAN at Bonhams (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1968-69 Ferrari Dino 166/246T Formula 2/TASMAN Formula racing single seater at Bonhams featured a 1.6 liter Formula 2 engine (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The cramped quarters of the 1968-69 Ferrari Dino 166/246T Formula 2/TASMAN (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The photo shows the adjustment mechanism for the 1978 Ferrari 312 T3 F1's rear wing (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Bonhams sold this 1978 Ferrari 312 T3 F1 racer for the tidy sum of US$2.3 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1978 Ferrari 312 T3 F1 racer was once driven by Canadian racing legend Gilles Villeneuve (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1978 Ferrari 312 T3 F1 sits alongside other collectibles from the Maranello Rosso collection (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Looking down the nose of the 1978 Ferrari 312 T3 F1 racer (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Another 50 year-old Brit, a 1963 Aston Martin DB4 convertible, on display in the RM showroom (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1966 Ferrari 275 GTS was on the block for between $1.7 and $2 million at RM's (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
An open-topped 1966 Ferrari 275 GTS on display in the RM Auction showroom (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A beautiful 1963 Lola Mk 6 GT greets visitors to the RM showroom (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1963 Lola Mk 6 GT made it to $1.2 million on the auction floor but did not sell (Photo:Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1963 Lola Mk 6 GT for sale at RM was the last of three produced (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1963 Lola Mk 6 GT ran a 530 hp, 5.7 liter Chevy V8 with four Weber 48DCOE carburetors providing the fuel (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1965 Ford GT40 Prototype Roadster sold for $6.9 million, putting it in the Top 10 sales for the weekend (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Interior of the 1965 Ford GT40 Prototype Roadster up for sale at the RM Auctions in Monterey (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This 1965 Ford GT40 Prototype Roadster sold for $6.9 million, making it the only non-Ferrari in the Top 10 sales for the weekend (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1965 Ford GT40 Prototype Roadster with microphone-like air covers on the downdraft carburetors (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1965 Ford GT40 Prototype Roadster features significantly different design elements than latter day GT40s (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The wire wheels on the 1965 Ford GT40 Prototype Roadster (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
RM's 1967 Shelby 427 Cobra was expected to bring between $1.4 and $1.8 million at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The RM Shelby Cobra featured one of Ford's big high output 427 engines (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 427 badging on the Shelby 427 Cobra indicates what resides under the hood (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The cockpit of the 1967 Shelby 427 Cobra (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The RM Auction 1967 Shelby 427 Cobra came in right on target at $1.7 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1964 Ferrari 250 LM Coupe sold for $11,550,000 through RM Auctions (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1964 Ferrari 250 LM Coupe was one of the rarer of the prancing horse cars to come up for auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1964 Ferrari 250 LM Coupe's cockpit design is unique to the car (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Looking across the tail of the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM Coupe (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1964 Ferrari 250 LM Coupe sold for $11,550,000 through RM Auctions (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The fuel filler cap of the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM Coupe at RM Auctions (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Glancing through driver's side window of the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM Coupe at RM Auctions (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
An auction room packed with collectible goodies at Rick Cole's auction house (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The very rare 1955 Ferrari 410S at Rick Cole's had a high bid of $22 million but failed to sell on auction day (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 5.0-liter Ferrari at Rick Cole's won the World Sportscar Championship in 1955 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1955 Ferrari 410S on display at Rick Cole's (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Looking into the grill of the 1955 Ferrari 410S in the auction room at Rick Cole's (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Ferrari 410S was designed as a single seat racer (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 5.0-liter Ferrari at Rick Cole's won the World Sportscar Championship in 1955 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1955 Ferrari 410S featured a massive 5.0-liter V12 that produced 380 hp (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A pair of 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4's at Rick Cole's (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A yellow 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 sold for $1.15 million at Rick Cole's (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The red 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 only managed to secure $688,600 on the block (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This red Gullwing was part of Rick Cole's unconventional online auction program (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A stunning silver 1956 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing on the showroom floor (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Rear hindquarters of the silver 1956 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing at Rick Cole's auction house (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster managed to fetch $1.15 million at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster on profile (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1952 Rolls Royce Park Ward drophead waits for bidders at Rick Cole's (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The timeless sweeping lines of the 1952 Rolls Royce Park Ward drophead at Rick Cole's (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1951 Hudson Hornet Twin H-Power Convertible was one of the rare domestic offerings in the Rick Cole room (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Hudson Hornet convertible's interior (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Hudson Hornet was one of only a handful of domestics up for auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1951 Hudson Hornet Twin H-Power Convertible engine and air cleaner canisters (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1951 Hudson Hornet Twin H-Power Convertible Brougham sold for $220,000 via Rick Cole's online auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione Client sold for $12 million through Rick Cole (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione Client's pristine engine bay (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1970 Maserati Ghibli Spyder at Rick Cole (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1970 Maserati Ghibli Spyder at Rick Cole sold for $715,000 once online bids ended at midnight on Sunday (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The engine bay of the 1970 Maserati Ghibli Spyder (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1970 Maserati Ghibli Spyder shows off its forward flipping hood (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Another spotless engine in one of the many Ferrari's at Rick Cole's (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This 1962 Ferrari 250 PF Cabriolet sold for US$2.2 million at Rick Cole's (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The leather soaked interior of the $2.2 million 1962 Ferrari 250 PF Cabriolet at Rick Cole's (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1962 Ferrari 250 PF Cabriolet featured a removable hardtop (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1962 Ferrari 250 PF Cabriolet on display at Rick Cole's (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A diminutive 1960 Autobianchi Transformable greets visitors to Rick Cole's auction house (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A highly tricked-out Ford GT greets visitors to the auction tent at Mecum (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
An aerial view of the Porsche racers' bulging fender boxes (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The slightly exaggerated aerodynamics on a Porsche racer at Mecum (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
An extremely rare 1956 Avia MK3 Monoposto Streamliner on the floor at Mecum (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Aluminum and magnesium body inspired by Avia aircraft feature on the extremely rare 1956 Avia MK3 Monoposto Streamliner (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1956 Avia MK3 Monoposto features fully independent front and rear suspension, plus a transaxle gearbox (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Czech-built 1956 Avia MK3 Monoposto Streamliner race car is powered by a BMW 750 cc 4-stroke engine (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A rare 1968 Shelby Turbine powered Indy Car at Mecum (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1995 Porsche 962 K8 Spyder sits behind the ropes at the Mecum auctions (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1972 McLaren M20 Can-Am was one of the premiere attractions at the Mecum auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The big wing of the 1995 Porsche 962 K8 Spyder at Mecum (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A classic 1964 Porsche ready for auction at Mecum (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Another Porsche 356 on display at Mecum (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
From right to left, a 1968 Shelby Turbine Indy Car 1972 McLaren M20 CAN-AM, 1995 Porsche 962 K8 Spyder inside the ropes at Mecum (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1960 Porsche 108L Junior tractor out in the staging field at Mecum (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This 1960 Porsche 108L Junior tractor was undoubtedly one of the most unique offerings of any of the auction houses (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Even tractors need love, a1960 Porsche 108L Junior at home in the field at Mecum (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible sold at auction for $880,000 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1965 Ferrari GTB Alloy was expected to bring $2.6 to $3.2 million on the block (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This stunning 1965 Ferrari GTB Alloy sitting next to a Lamborghini Miura, sold for $3.382 million through RM Auctions (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
RM's auction showroom was filled with an extraordinary lineup of automotive collectibles (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A gorgeous blue 1965 Aston Martin DB5 sold for $1.65 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This 1965 Aston Martin DB5 sold for $1.65 million, and came with a rare Continental touring kit, original tool roll, and owner’s handbook (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1965 Aston Martin DB5 that was originally built for a prince in Saudi Arabia (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The interior of the light blue 1965 Aston Martin DB5 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1965 Aston Martin DB5 at RM featured a 325 bhp 4.0-liter inline six cylinder engine (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A red 1967 Toyota 2000GT brought in just over $1 million on the RM auction block (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1967 Toyota 2000GT with its disproportionate headlights is considered one of the cars to watch (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The dashboard of RM's 1967 Toyota 2000GT (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1962 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder by Vignale sold for $764,500 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Another collectible Italian, this time a 1962 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder by Vignale on display at the RM Auction showroom (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1980 BMW M1 AHG Studie decked out in racing livery managed a high bid of $400,000 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A gorgeous example of a 1980 BMW M1 AHG Studie on display at RM (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Not suitable for the streets, this Schumacher-driven Ferrari F1-2000 sold for $1.8 million through RM (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Schumacher-driven Ferrari F1-2000 sold for $1.8 million on auction day (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Ferrari F1-2000 was estimated to bring in between $1.7 and $2.5 million at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1998 Ferrari 333 SP up for auction managed to secure a high bid of $3.4 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A number of aerodynamic features can be seen on the 1998 Ferrari 333 SP (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 2006 Ferrari FXX Evoluzione sold for $1.485 million at RM (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 2006 Ferrari FXX Evoluzione went for $1.485 million on the RM auction block (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The Ferrari FXX Evoluzione was an exclusive model sold only to select clientele and only suitable for track use (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Looking down the tail of the Ferrari FXX Evoluzione in RM's showroom (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1953 Lancia Aurelia PF200 C Spider by Pinin Farina went to a good home for $1.1 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The rather fish-like grill of a 1953 Lancia Aurelia PF200 C Spider by Pinin Farina (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A black 2003 Ferrari Enzo sold for $1.925 million when it came time to cross the block (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1931 Bentley 8 Liter Sports Coupe Cabriolet by Barker was expected to fetch between $3.7 and $4.7 million at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1931 Bentley 8 Liter Sports Coupe Cabriolet on display in the RM showroom (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The minimalist interior of the 1931 Bentley 8 Liter Sports Coupe Cabriolet by Barker (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This 1953 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupe by Pinin Farina sold for $2.75 million when it came to auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1953 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupe by Pinin Farina has very un-Ferrari like proportions as compared to today's models (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1953 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupe by Pinin Farina as seen from behind (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The interior of the 1953 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupe by Pinin Farina (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 was estimated to fetch between $3.7 to $4.5 million and came in right on the money at US$3.75 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The gloss black 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 on display in the Monterey convention lobby (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A beautiful 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster went to the highest bidder for $1.375 million on Saturday night (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The RM Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster on display in the main hallway, complete with matching hardtop (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
An orange Lamborghini Miura SV, circa 1971, brought in an impressive $2.1 million at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV was one of only a few Lamborghinis to cross the block (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A stunning metallic blue 1963 Ferrari 400 SA LWB Coupe Aerodinamico Series II was pegged to go for between $2.5 and $3 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
This 1963 Ferrari 400 SA LWB Coupe Aerodinamico Series II sold for $2.9 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1963 Ferrari 400 SA LWB Coupe Aerodinamico Series II on display at RM (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The interior of the 1963 Ferrari 400 SA LWB Coupe Aerodinamico Series II at RM (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
An old school 1911 Mercer Type 35R Raceabout raised $2.5 million on the auction block (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Lusso on display in the RM auction showroom (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Lusso being offered by RM sold for $2.1 million (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The beautiful lines of the 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Lusso didn't hurt come auction day (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
A brilliant white 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S by Bertone went for $1.265 million at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 1965 Lamborghini 350 GT, the first production car by the house of Ferruccio, sold for $825,000 at auction (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Begun in 1950, the annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance has grown in stature over the last decade to become THE most important upmarket automotive event in the world. Five of the ten most expensive cars ever sold at auction have sold at Pebble Beach, with our stats showing that 12 of the top 20 and 57 of the top 100 have also sold at Pebble Beach, most of them in the last three years
Last weekend some of the world's biggest auction houses came together on the misty hills of Monterey for the annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and automotive auction extravaganza. Featuring big names like RM Auctions, Bonhams, Gooding & Company, Mecum and Rick Cole, the weekend provided a number of surprises for buyers and watchers alike. Gizmag's Angus MacKenzie was on the ground for auction action that saw US$400 million change hands.
As Gizmag's Mike Hanlon reported ahead of the event, anticipation for this year's Pebble Beach auction was high. But now with sales closed we can see exactly how 2014 fared compared to last year.
On the money front, initial reports peg total sales for the weekend at US$400 million, an increase of nearly $83 million over the 2013 auction. According to Hagerty Insurance, this figure, which doesn't include Rick Cole's sales (a figure estimated to be around $25 million), means the total increase from the previous year is closer to $100 million.
The 1954 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing on display was a beautiful example of the first production car (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Predictably, Ferrari dominated the sales at Pebble Beach with nine of the ten most valuable cars changing hands wearing the prancing stallion. The only other car to squeeze into that list was a 1965 Ford GT40 prototype that RM managed to fetch US$6.93 million.
This domination reflects the entire rare car marketplace. When the dust settled after the weekend, 52 of the top 100 most valuable cars ever to sell at auction are Ferraris, with Mercedes-Benz second (10 cars in top 100), Bentley (five cars in top 100) third, and Bugatti (4) and Talbot-Lago (4) equal fourth.
Average sale price for the cars that sold was estimated to be around $535,000 with the median selling price coming in at just under US$100,000 (an increase of more than 30 percent over 2013).
According to classic car specialist, Hans Wurl from Gooding & Company, the buyer demographic is shifting slightly from the older, more established auto collectors to a younger crowd. The hardcore car people are still there, but more and more buyers from areas like the tech sector and similar are moving in. Perhaps coming into the game in an effort to acquire either cool toys for their garage or to expand their portfolios and collections as longer term investments.
I asked if cars purchased by secretive persons/entities ever just vanished after auction. "Sometimes vehicles are sold to anonymous bidders from outside the country," Wurl said. "In some cases cars have been shipped to secret locations and countries only to go into hiding for years."
This 1955 Aston Martin DB3S sold for US$5.5 million. It was constructed in the factory race shop and debuted on the Aston Martin stand at the 1955 Earls Court Motor show (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
Surprisingly, Gooding & Company failed to sell its Top 10, a shock to many as these cars were expected to bring premium dollars. Cars like the 1966 Ferrari 365 "Tre Posti" and the McLaren F1, despite getting close to reserve amounts, failed to meet minimum bids.
So what does this mean for future sales? Have the old-school collectors gone underground to deal privately and so avoid aggressive bidding wars? Or is it just the market correcting itself in order to better normalize valuations and perhaps turn down the heat on the hype? Only time will tell.
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta was rumored to sell for as high as $60 million before auctio,n but instead came in at $38.1 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The most anticipated sale of the show was definitely the 1962 Ferrari GTO, courtesy of Bonhams. Although the car did in fact sell with the auction house's estimates, the popular media had hyped the car's value beyond realistic expectations.
The 1968-69 Ferrari Dino 166/246T Formula 2/TASMAN at Bonhams sold for US$1.2 million on the day (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
However, the condition of the car and the amount of work required to bring it to a "Concours" state all influenced the final price. The US$38.1 million sale figure for the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Coupe included the house fee. It was, nonetheless, a new world record at auction.
To view some of the top auction items and other beautiful examples of automotive innovation and design, check out our extensive gallery.
Over the next few days we'll also bring you highlights from Pebble Beach's Concept Lawn, the oceanside experience of Concours d'Elegance, historic vehicles and surprises from the Rolex Historical motorsports event at Laguna Seca, and a surprise event by Aston Martin.
A close look at the Top 10 sales at Pebble Beach over this past weekend shows Bonhams and RM Auctions each sold four cars in the top ten, with Gooding & Co selling two.
Top 10 sales from Pebble Beach
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Coupe US$38,115,000 (Bonhams)
1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale Coupe US$26,400,000 (RM Auctions)
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California SWB Spyder US$15,180,000 (Gooding & Co)
Born on the cold, barren Canadian plains of Calgary, Alberta, Angus MacKenzie couldn’t decide between marketing, automotives or an entrepreneurial path - so he chose all three. With an education in automotives and marketing, Angus has rebuilt the carburetor on his 1963 Rambler Ambassador twice, gotten a speeding ticket in an F430 once, and driven & photographed everything from Lamborghinis to Maseratis to various German and Asian designs. When not writing, Angus has for the past six years been Editor-in-Chief for elemente, an internationally recognized architecture/design magazine.
2 comments
The Skud
I know rarity commands a price, but some of those prices are close to being ridiculous!
If your name does not have 'sheik' or 'Bill' in front of it, who can afford this sort of money?