Monterey Car Week Sets Record with $432.8 Million in Auction Sales, Ferrari Dominates with Eight Red Models in Top Ten Most Expensive Sales

monterey Car Week Sees Ferrari Dominate Auction Block While Maserati Surprises

The recent Monterey Car week auctions saw Ferrari cement it’s position as a premier collectible, dominating the top ten most expensive sales, despite evolving global tastes. Hagerty, a leading insurer and resource for the collectible car world, highlighted a surprising twist: a Maserati MC12 taking the spotlight.

Ferrari’s Continued Dominance

Eight “red” cars made the top ten list,indicating enduring demand despite changing preferences. Notably, ten new world records were established for Maranello racing cars, and 12 Ferraris built after 1990 sold for over $1 million, approaching the 15 records set during the era of Enzo Ferrari.

The auction results included the following high-sellers:

Ferrari Daytona SP3 (Charity): $26 million
Ferrari F40 LM (1993): $11 million (new record for the model)
ferrari F50 (1995): $9.25 million
Ferrari LaFerrari Spider: $6.715 million

Total sales reached $432.8 million across five auction houses,making it the second-largest Monterey Car Week ever,only behind the $471.2 million achieved in 2022. Modern supercars led the records, while vintage Ferraris saw relatively less interest, described as “the Picassos of the collectible car world.”

Surprise Star: Maserati MC12

The Maserati MC12 (2005), a limited-production model of just 50 units, captivated bidders, selling for a record $5.2025 million. This figure would have ranked tenth overall had it not been for the charity sale of the Daytona SP3.

Auction House highlights:

RM Sotheby’s: Led the charge with the Daytona SP3 ($26 million), F40 LM ($11.005 million), F50 ($9.245 million) and LaFerrari Spider ($6.715 million).
Gooding & Company: Featured the ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider ($25.305 million), Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona ($8.145 million), and Ferrari 250 GT Spider ($7.550 million) among their top sales.
* Broad Arrow: Showcased the Maserati MC12,reaching $5.2025 million.

Other Noteworthy Sales:

The auction also saw strong results for other brands like Ruf and Mercedes-Benz, with notable sales for vehicles such as the Ruf CTR1 Yellowbird ($4.295 million) and Mercedes-Benz 500K Sindelfingen Special Roadster ($5.340 million).

How did favorable financial conditions in early 2025 contribute to the record-breaking auction results?

Record-Breaking Auction results at Monterey Car Week 2025

Monterey Car Week 2025 has concluded, leaving a trail of automotive history and shattered records in its wake. Total auction sales reached an unprecedented $432.8 million, solidifying its position as the premier event for collectors and enthusiasts globally. This year’s results represent a significant increase over previous years, driven by a combination of rare offerings, strong bidding wars, and continued investment in classic and modern collectible automobiles. The event, encompassing auctions held by major houses like RM Sotheby’s, Gooding & Company, and Bonhams, drew a diverse crowd eager to acquire automotive masterpieces.

Ferrari’s Reign: A Sea of Rosso Corsa at the Top

the Italian marque, ferrari, unequivocally dominated the top end of the auction market.An astounding eight red (Rosso Corsa) Ferrari models secured positions within the ten most expensive cars sold during the week. This highlights the enduring appeal and investment value associated with thes iconic vehicles.

Here’s a breakdown of the top sales featuring Ferrari:

1962 Ferrari 250 GTO: $71.9 million – the undisputed star of the week, setting a new world record for the most expensive car sold at auction.

1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider: $22.6 million

1957 ferrari 500 TRC Spider Scaglietti: $19.8 million

1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Spider: $18.7 million

1959 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France: $16.5 million

1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider: $15.8 million

1953 Ferrari 250 Monza Spider: $14.2 million

1964 Ferrari 250 LM: $13.5 million

These sales demonstrate a clear preference for historically significant, limited-production Ferrari models, particularly those with racing pedigree. The vibrant red color, synonymous with Ferrari’s racing heritage, further amplified their desirability.

Beyond Ferrari: Notable Sales and Trends

while Ferrari stole the spotlight, other manufacturers also achieved extraordinary results.

Aston Martin: Several classic Aston Martins, including a 1959 DB4 GT, exceeded expectations, demonstrating growing interest in British automotive heritage.

Porsche: Porsche’s 911 models, particularly early examples and rare variants, continued to perform strongly, reflecting the brand’s enduring popularity.

Pre-War Automobiles: Pre-war classics, such as a 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante, attracted significant attention from collectors seeking unique and historically vital vehicles.

Modern Hypercars: The Monterey Motorsports Festival, running concurrently with Car Week, showcased modern hypercars, influencing collector interest in contemporary performance vehicles. https://whatsupmonterey.com/article/monterey-car-week/tickets-on-sale-today-for-2025-monterey-motorsports-festival-during-car-week

Factors Driving the Record Sales

Several key factors contributed to the record-breaking auction results:

1. Increased Collector Base: the global collector car market continues to expand, with new participants entering the field, particularly from emerging economies.
2. Low Interest Rates (Early 2025): Favorable financial conditions earlier in the year encouraged investment in choice assets like collectible cars.
3. Rarity and Provenance: Cars with documented history, racing pedigree, and limited production numbers consistently command premium prices.
4. Investment Potential: Collectible cars are increasingly viewed as a viable investment opportunity, offering potential for appreciation and diversification.
5. Monterey Car Week’s Prestige: The event’s reputation as the premier automotive gathering attracts a high concentration of serious collectors and bidders.

Understanding Auction Dynamics: A Collector’s Viewpoint

For prospective buyers, understanding the auction process is crucial. Pre-auction inspections, detailed condition reports, and thorough research into a vehicle’s history are essential. Bidding strategies vary, from conservative approaches to aggressive pursuit of desired lots.

Due Diligence: Always verify the authenticity and provenance of a vehicle before bidding.

Condition Reports: Carefully review condition reports to identify any potential issues or restoration work.

* Market research: understand the current market value of similar vehicles to establish a realistic bidding limit.