Impressions from Monterey Car Week 2022

Weaker Corona regulations meant that this year we were finally able to pay a visit to the Mekka of collector cars, the Monterey Car Week — a week of endless car events and auctions, for all tastes and wallets. All the big auctions: RM Sotheby’s, Mecum, Bonhams, Gooding, and the new Broad Arrow, as well as some of the most important events of the year, such as Rennsport Reunion on the famous Weathertech Laguna Seca racetrack and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The atmosphere is unlike anything else, whether you are in Pebble Beach, in Carmel, or in-between: multi-million-dollar cars driving on the streets all week, as if it were a normal sight. And the diversity is extraordinary: track cars for the road such as a McLaren P1 GTR, alongside Ferrari’s best hits from the 60s in the form of a 250 GT Berlinetta SWB. This year’s auction results were among the strongest ever recorded. The young Broad Arrow, set up by former RM Sotheby’s employees, grossed a total of $48m. Held in a hangar at the Monterey Jet Center, the lineup consisted of significant collector cars, ranging from a low-mileage Carrera GT to a 250 TDF with some history, and Japanese icons such as the Lexus LFA Nürburgring and a 2000 GT.

But the most impressive result had to be the low-mileage, US-spec Ferrari F50, which amounted to almost $5.2m after fees — a record-breaking sale result. Further down the week, RM Sotheby’s auction at the Portola started with pre-war vehicles, including several Mercedes-Benz 540 and a very special Hispano-Suiza Tulipwood. Pre-war cars are not the taste of the moment, though a 540K Spezial Roadster sold for $9.9m, and the Tulipwood for $9.245m. The first day grossed a total of $38.8m, with 91% of the cars finding a new home. On the second day, the famous Oscar Davis collection was next. The collection brought $67m, with its highlight, the Ferrari 500 TRC, bringing $7.8m. Surprisingly, the Maserati 450 S did not sell on the spot, though it sold later on. RM’s third night grossed $110m, with the highlight of the night being the Ferrari 410 Sport Spider, which brought $22m including fees, and the 288 GTO at a record result of $4.4m, with 15k km on the clock. Of course, let’s not forget Porsche’s and Pixar’s joint effort for charity, which brought $3.6m for their unique 992 Carrera replicating the 996 Sally from the movie Cars.

Gooding’s two-day sale brought $59m on the first night and $45.5m on the second night. The highlights were the 57SC Atalante at $10.3m gross, an American F50 for $4.6m, and an American F40 for a record-setting $3.965m. Meanwhile, Bonhams grossed $28m, with the stars of the sale being a 300 SL Gullwing, a Miura P400 S, and a 993 GT2 which went for a very strong $1,545,000. As usual, the most famous concours d’elegance stayed true to its reputation, with a display of historically significant cars including no less than two 250 GTOs. Laguna Seca’s event also included a compelling lineup, which consisted of Le Mans winners and other exceptional race cars. Seeing the cars drive the corkscrew was nothing short of unforgettable. To conclude, the market for collector automobiles is stronger than ever, although the taste of the moment seems to have moved on from 50s and pre-war cars to newer automobiles from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s.

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