Monterey Auto Week: auctions fast, furious

The front page of the Monterey section of the Mecum Auctions website features a bright yellow 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy Berlinetta. It sold at last year’s annual three-day gathering at the Hyatt Regency Monterey for $3.41 million.

A highlight, without question, but it wasn’t close to the top 10 highest-priced vehicles sold during Monterey Auto Week.

The collective, Aug. 9-18, is now nearly two weeks of auto shows, rallies, memorabilia, cars, trucks and motorcycle auctions, global automotive debuts and frivolity.

But it’s the big-money cars that attract the most attention. Luxury lifestyle magazines and pretentious car publications compile and analyze what Ferrari sold for the most and why.

(Five of the top-10 highest-selling cars in 2023 at Monterey Auto Week were Ferraris.)

More than a half-dozen auctions are scheduled this year during the global extravaganza. Dealers, collectors and museum curators know the gamut of what’s about to be offered.

What’s refreshing is the possibility of a few surprises, a bargain or two and some curiosities.

Deep into the lots for sale at the Mecum Auction are a 1957 Ford Ranchero, a 1961 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible and a 1977 Toyota Celica GT Coupe. They’re all collectible and attainable. Dozens of Rancheros are listed for online auction sites, ranging from a few thousand dollars to $60,000. The top-end of the Pontiacs are on sale for similar prices to the Ford Ranchero. A few of the many nearly six-decade-old Celicas are available online with asking prices surpassing $60,000.

RM Sotheby’s, the Canadian auction house and long-time fixture at the Monterey Conference Center, also returns with a penchant for sales records. Last year, five of the top 10 and 20 of the 56 category sales records were set at Sotheby’s showcase. Ferarris were among the record-setting collections, many within a group of 20 “barn finds.”

Ferrari likely will be in Sotheby’s top-selling mix again.

But the auction house will also have its share of attainables and other rarities away from the annual top-Italian classics. A 1955 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer Convertible, a 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Convertible Indianapolis 500 Pace Car and a 2002 Bentley Azure all have starting estimated auction values of less than $100,000.

One of RM Sotheby’s showcases this year is the 1964 Hank Williams’ “Snake Charmer” Cobra. It’s a one-owner car, the pride of the deceased country singer-songwriter. The vehicle has been in the Williams’ family trust since 1965.

Broad Arrow Auctions, among the newer attractions and held at the Monterey Jet Center, will offer plenty of anticipated million-dollar-minimum vehicles. But a few lower-priced collectors’ cars will be available. A 1949 Fiat 500 Furoncino is listed for $30,000. A 1959 Morris Minor has an auction estimate of $25,000. And a 1975 BMW 2002 has a starting estimated value of $35,000.

Robb Report, the luxury magazine, reported a 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta sold for $30.255 million at Bonhams, the highest bid at Monterey Auto Week.

Rupert Banner, global head of Specialists at Bonhams, couldn’t find enough adjectives to describe the transaction to the publication.

“This sale represented a rare opportunity to acquire an icon of Ferrari endurance racing at the zenith of when design still involved beauty,” he said. “The global buzz generated upon our announcement underscored the monumental significance of this car, and it unquestionably deserves its place among the world’s most valuable cars.”

Bonhams, the English auction house, is held in conjunction with The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, in Carmel. It will likely again feature its share of the week’s top sellers. But its lots also detail the auctions of a 1963 Plymouth Sport Fury Max Wedge Convertible and a 1953 Ford Country Sedan Restorod.

Price estimates for Bonham’s car haven’t been posted, but the wallets of the buyers of the Plymouth and Ford won’t need to be too thick.

For a list of Monterey Auto Week auctions and related activities, visit: www.whatsupmonterey.com.

James Raia is a syndicated automotive columnist and a sports and lifestyle freelance writer in Sacramento. E-mail address: james@jamesraia.com.