Monterey Millions: Ferraris lead Pebble Beach auctions

Bonhams’ annual Quail Lodge auction in Carmel, Calif., saw many world records set among the 117 cars offered. The two-day event finished with a 92 percent sell-through rate and total sales figure of $108 million.

The first day was highlighted by the record sale of the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, which made history when it achieved more than $38 million, making it reportedly the most valuable car to ever be sold at auction. A 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Coupe sold for $7,260,000, followed by a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Speciale Aerodinamica Coupe at $6,875,000.

Other highlights included:

— 1958 Ferrari 250 SI Cabriolet (closed headlight), $6,820,000;
— 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Coupe, $3,850,000;
— 1973 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spyder, $2,640,000;
— 1978 Ferrari 312 T3 Formula 1, $2,310,000;
— 1993 Ferrari F40 LM Coupe, $2,200,000;
— 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, $1,897,500;
— 1948 Talbot-Lago Record T26 Grand Sport Coupe, $1,485,000.

Russo and Steele’s 2014 Monterey auction event produced total sales of $12,074,960, which the company said was a 63 percent increase over last year’s results.

Topping the sales list was a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL “gullwing” coupe hammered sold at $1,320,000. Next on the list was a 1957 M-B 300SL roadster at $1,210,000.

Among the other highlights of the Russo and Steele event:

— 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 “Daytona” Coupe, $731,500;
— 1964 Ferrari 330 America, $505,000;
— 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Sportsroof, $401,500;
— 1984 Lamborghini LP500S, $327,500;
— 1983 Ferrari 512 BBi, $269,500;
— 1970 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2, $233,750;
— 1966 Sunbeam Tiger, $149,600;
— 1957 Continental Mark II, $132,000.

Ferraris dominated the headlines for the Rick Cole Monterey Auction held Aug. 13-15 at the Marriott Hotel near Fisherman’s Wharf. Of the 37 cars offered, 22 sold and accounted for a total of $23,754,720.

The top seller of the weekend was a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 coupe that sold for $2,200,000. Next up was a 1966 Ferrari 275GTC/cabriolet at $1,980,000, followed by a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL “gullwing” coupe at $1,450,000.

Other top sellers included:

— 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300SL convertible, $1,050,000;
— 1970 Maserati Ghibi Spyder, $715,000;
— 1973 Ferrari 365GTB/4 coupe, $626,000;
— 1974 Ferrari 365 BB coupe, $550,000;
— 1975 Ferrari Dino 246GTS Targa coupe, $407,000.

RM Auctions celebrated its 35th anniversary in the collector car hobby with its best performance to date: $143.4 million in sales with a strong 91 percent sell-through at its flagship Monterey, Calif., sale.

The total was a new record for the company and, according to RM Auctions, is the highest total ever for a collector car sale. Three lots exceeded the $10 million mark.

The “top sellers” list was dominated by a series of Ferraris. Top honors went a 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale, which sold for $26,400,000. Other sale-topping Ferraris included a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM, which led RM’s Friday sale session at $11,550,000; the ex-Steve McQueen 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4, $10,175,000; the historic Austie Clark 1911 Mercer Type 35R Raceabout, $2,530,000; and a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, $2,530,000. The sale also illustrated the growing demand for Japanese collector cars with a 1972 Nissan Skyline H/T 2000GT-R “Hakosuka” fetching $242,000, and a beautifully restored 1967 Toyota 2000GT reaching $1,045,000.

A collection of 645 classic and collector cars and a selection of vintage and antique motorcycles took to Del Monte Golf Course for the sixth annual Mecum Daytime Auction, held Aug. 14-16 during Pebble Beach week. An exceptional lineup of offerings contributed to Mecum’s highest-grossing Monterey auction to date with total sales reaching $34,651,635.

Six of the 361 cars sold surpassed the $1 million mark during the auction on Saturday, topped by a 1961 Ferrari 250 Series II Cabriolet, which sold for $2.25 million. The ex-Peter Revson 1972 McLaren M20 Can-Am Racer achieved top honors as the highest-selling race car with a hammer price of $2 million; and a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy convertible berline brought $1,425,000. Also making the top 10 was a 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition that sold for $510,000.

Other highlights included:

— 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL “gullwing,” $1,350,000;
— 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL “gullwing,” $1,075,000;
— 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra roadster, $1,000,000;
— 1995 Porsche 962 K8 Spyder, $930,000;
— 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 convertible, $785,000;
— 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Touring, $650,000;
— 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition, $510,000.

Motorcycles also achieved impressive results with a 1930 Indian Chief formerly owned by Steve McQueen hammering for $100,000 and a 1915 Indian board track racer coming in at $70,000.

Gooding & Company realized more than $106 million at its Pebble Beach Auctions over the weekend of Aug. 15-16. During the two-day sale, the auction house sold 107 of 121 lots, which resulted in an 88 percent sale rate, with an average price of $990,699 per car (30 cars exceeded the $1 million mark).

The top lot of the weekend was a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider. The stunning Ferrari sparked a round of feverous bidding that resulted in a final sale of $15,180,000.

Overall, Ferraris did well, including a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet for $5,610,000; a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Long Nose Alloy, $4,620,000; a 2001 Ferrari 333 SP, $2,365,000; a 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso, $2,365,000; a 1956 Ferrari 250 Europa GT, $2,310,000; a 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso, $2,200,000; and a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Cabriolet, $2,090,000.

Stirling Moss presented the 1956 Maserati 250F he triumphantly drove to victory in the 1956 Italian Grand Prix, which sold for $4,620,000. The top sellers from the weekend were:

— 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, $15,180,000;
­— 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet, $5,610,000;
— 1955 Aston Martin DB3S, $5,500,000;
— 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Long Nose Alloy, $4,620,000;
— 1956 Maserati 250F, $4,620,000;
— 1939 Alfa Romeo Tipo 256 Cabriolet Sportivo, $4,000,000;
— 1967 Ford GT40 Mk 1, $3,520,000;
— 1927 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix, $2,970,000.