Monterey 2026 auctions deliver record prices and mixed fortunes across Car Week sales

Insight summary

• •Monterey 2026 auctions reached a total of $718.3 million in sales, significantly higher than previous years' totals of $432.7 million in 2025 and $471.2 million in 2022.
• •Gooding Christie’s Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe sold for $42.905 million, and RM Sotheby’s McLaren F1 GTR sold for $34.655 million, marking record-breaking top-end sales.
• •Ferrari models dominated high sales with notable examples including a 1985 288 GTO at $11.555 million, a 1995 F50 at $12.105 million, and a 1989 Testarossa at $257,600.
• •Demand was selective with buyers favoring rare, low-mileage, and well-provenance supercars, particularly in the 1980s to 2000s models.
• •Porsche’s 1989 959 Sport sold for $7.045 million, greatly exceeding the estimate, contrasting with a lower-priced 959 Komfort at $2.865 million due to rarity differences.
• •Lamborghini and other brands showed sensitivity to model specifications, with top derivatives fetching higher prices than similarly aged but lesser models.
• •Record sales also included Mecum’s 2004 Gemballa Mirage GT at $3.96 million and RM’s 2005 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo at $1.105 million.