Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

  1. Special Cars
  2. Classic Cars
  3. RM Sothebys Monterey Auction Brings 120 Years of Motoring History

RM Sothebys Monterey Auction Brings 120 Years of Motoring History

03 Aug 2026
  • Why is the 2026 RM Sothebys Monterey auction so significant?
  • Which cars lead the RM Sothebys Monterey auction?
  • How does the auction represent the greatest modern performance brands?

RM Sothebys will return to the Monterey Peninsula from August 13 to August 15, 2026, with the largest and most valuable auction in its history. The three night event at the Portola Hotel and Monterey Conference Center will bring together 199 lots covering nearly every major era of automotive development.

The catalogue stretches from the 1904 Mercedes Simplex to some of the most advanced modern hypercars. Seventy five vehicles carry low estimates of at least one million dollars, while four are expected to exceed ten million dollars.

Leading the event is the 1996 McLaren F1 GTR known as the Pop Art F1, which is valued at more than 35 million dollars. Other major attractions include the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, Ferrari Daytona SP3 and a Duesenberg created for Hollywood actor Clark Gable.

Record Breaking Monterey Offering

Record Breaking Monterey Offering

Presents RM Sothebys its most ambitious Monterey catalogue after 29 consecutive years on the California peninsula. The auction combines historic racing cars, elegant coachbuilt classics and limited production hypercars within one major collector event.

Includes the sale 75 vehicles with low estimates above one million dollars. Carries 16 vehicles estimates of at least five million dollars, while the ten most valuable cars represent more than 111 million dollars in combined low estimates.

Runs the public preview from August 12, followed by evening auctions on August 13, August 14 and August 15. Places the event at the heart of Monterey Car Week, one of the most important annual gatherings for collectors and luxury car enthusiasts.

Legendary Headline Cars

Legendary Headline Cars

Tops the catalogue the 1996 McLaren F1 GTR Pop Art F1 with a value above 35 million dollars. Served this car as the first 1996 specification F1 GTR and one of two factory prototype short tail models.

Retained McLaren the car before selling it to Pink Floyd cofounder Nick Mason in 1999. Makes its scarlet and yellow Pop Art design one of the most recognizable racing liveries connected with the McLaren F1.

Follows the 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato with an estimate between 12 million and 15 million dollars. Represents it the 14th example from a production run of only 19 cars and combines period competition history with major international show awards.

Brings the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport another important racing story. Built Chevrolet only five factory Grand Sports in an effort to challenge the Shelby Cobra, while famous drivers including AJ Foyt and Jim Hall competed in chassis 003.

Ferrari Bugatti and McLaren Icons

Ferrari Bugatti and McLaren Icons

Showcases the catalogue 29 Ferrari models, including five of the companys six major halo cars. Includes the group the Ferrari 288 GTO, F40, F50, Enzo and LaFerrari, alongside the limited production Daytona SP3.

Carries the 2023 Ferrari Daytona SP3 an estimate between 10 million and 12 million dollars. Produces its naturally aspirated V12 engine 829 horsepower, while the auction car has covered only 227 miles.

Traces the Bugatti selection more than 90 years of engineering. Starts it with the Type 37A and coachbuilt Type 57 models before moving through the EB110, Veyron, Chiron and the open roof Mistral.

Explores the McLaren offering several generations beyond the F1 GTR. Includes the Solus GT, P1 GT, Senna GTR, Elva, Speedtail and Artura GT4, showing the development of the British brands road and track focused performance cars.

Highlights the American collection several competition focused Corvettes. Joins the Grand Sport the Corvette LM and two significant L88 racing cars, representing an important period in American motorsport development.

Brings Clark Gables Duesenberg Model JN Convertible Coupe elegance and Hollywood history to the event. Commissioned and personally customized the famous actor the car, which later earned awards at Pebble Beach, Meadow Brook and Amelia Island.

Represents the Porsche selection several of the German brands most desirable cars. Leads the group the rare 1989 Porsche 959 Sport, supported by a 550 Spyder, 356 America Roadster, Carrera RS models and a Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer.

Adds the Lamborghini catalogue almost six decades of Italian design. Includes the 350 GT, Miura P400, three Countach versions, Diablo, Murcielago and limited production Sian FKP 37.

Features the event several carefully assembled private collections covering prewar classics and modern hypercars. Represents each collection a different approach to automotive design, history and performance.

Focuses the Ray and Bonnie Kinney Collection on 11 elegant prewar and Classic Era automobiles with strong provenance and show history. Presents the Sam and Emily Mann Collection important coachbuilt models, including cars that have received top honors at Pebble Beach.

Brings the Drivers Philosophy Collection together modern performance cars from Ferrari, Bugatti, Pagani, Aston Martin and McLaren. Reflects the collection some of the most advanced engineering and exclusive production programs of the modern era.

Celebrates the Jim Patterson Collection prewar French craftsmanship through important Bugatti and Delage automobiles. Completes these collections an auction that connects the earliest days of motoring with the newest generation of limited production hypercars.

Ahd Kamal

BY Ahd Kamal

Started my career in Automotive Journalism in 2015. Even though I'm a pharmacist, hanging around cars all the time has created a passion for the automotive industry since day 1.

Matte Black Ferrari Enzo, One-Off Lamborghini Murciélago, and Iconic Eagle Grand Prix Car to be Displayed by Sealed in Monterey

08 Aug 2026
Matte Black Ferrari Enzo, One-Off Lamborghini Murciélago, and Iconic Eagle Grand Prix Car to be Displayed by Sealed in Monterey

Cadillac Elegante 1955 Is a Golden American Icon

26 Jul 2026
Cadillac Elegante 1955 Is a Golden American Icon

Paul Newman Mustang Daytona Brings Hollywood Racing History to Auction

05 Jun 2026
Paul Newman Mustang Daytona Brings Hollywood Racing History to Auction