Simon Kidston’s forecast for Monterey

By Simon Kidston

7th August 2018

This is the Big One. Not since 1999 have as many heavy guns been lined up in Monterey, with RM clearly aiming to blitz the opposition. Will records be set or is it a sign that owners think it’s time to cash in?

Top billing goes to the first Ferrari 250 GTO (below) offered at auction since the Violati car, which made $38 million in 2014. That was a more valuable ’62 model but had been involved in a fatal accident. Our prediction is that this one is knocked down at $45 million plus commission and stays Stateside.

Its contemporary racing rival, RM’s shapely Aston Martin DP215, won’t match it for price but RM is clearly hoping to repeat its success of the DBR1 last year with a punchy number. Reaching $20 million is a tall order for a great-looking car that didn’t win anything, so we’re less confident on this one.

Gooding’s headliner Duesenberg SSJ is arguably the most historic car of the weekend. Sure, pre-War Duesies don’t attract the same hedge-fund-to-lingerie crowd as racing Ferraris, but this vee-screen, 300bhp Speedster is one of just two made for Hollywood royalty and its subsequent history is a Who’s Who of collecting royalty. Add that the proceeds are going to charity and this car deserves whatever it makes and more. Just please keep it in America. It’s far too iconic to leave and wouldn’t look at home anywhere else.

A quick overview? Lots of Gullwings and Roadsters. The exceptional ones should sell solidly, the others might struggle. Only one 911 2.7 RS and one 2.7 RSH: these have really softened and we don’t expect any records. No BMW 507 or ‘Daytona’ Spider, no 275 GTB/2 or 275 GTB/4 is surprising, no Enzo or F50 is a relief, no Ghibli Spyder… Thirteen out of fourteen E-types at No Reserve tells us the auction houses are being strict and owners are listening.

The Gooding Bug Atalante looks attractive – at less than a LaFerrari, to put market trends into perspective, but the buyer will probably be silver-haired and actually enjoy putting miles on it.

Bonhams is pinning its hopes on a nice steel Ferrari 250 SWB and some other gems that include a factory black, Rudge-wheel Gullwing (above) and the perfect gift for any lucky offspring, a slate grey Giulietta Spider Veloce.

Our one to take away? Gooding’s prototype Dino (pictured, top), a period motor show star which, amazingly, was then simply sold to a private buyer in Naples for normal road use. It’s slightly goofy and utterly addictive to look at: curious details abound. The $2-3 million estimate tells you the calibre of buyer that Gooding expects, but we’ll stake money it sells all the way.

Monterey Week 2018 auction schedule:

Mecum – sales Thursday 23 August to Saturday 25 August. Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa, 1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey, CA 93940. Gates open at 08:00. Auctions at 10:00. See www.mecum.com

Worldwide Auctioneers – sale Thursday 23 August. Pacific Golf Municipal Golf Links 77 Asilomar Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA 93950. Auction at 17:00 (preview Tuesday and Wednesday). See www.worldwide-auctioneers.com

Russo & Steele – sales Thursday 23 August to Saturday 25 August. Downtown Monterey on the waterfront by Fisherman’s Wharf, 290 Figueroa Street, Monterey, CA 93940. Auctions at 17:00. See www.russoandsteele.com

Bonhams – sale Friday 24 August. Quail Lodge, 8205 Valley Greens Dr, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923. Auction at 10:00 (preview Wednesday, Thursday, Friday). See www.bonhams.com

Gooding & Co – sales Friday 24 August, Saturday 25 August. Pebble Beach Equestrian Center, Corner of Stevenson Drive and Portola Road, Pebble Beach CA 93953. Auctions at 17:00 Friday 24 August, 11:00 Saturday 25 August (preview Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday). See www.goodingco.com

RM Sotheby’s – sales Friday 24 August, Saturday 25 August. Portola Hotel & Spa and Monterey Conference Center, 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA 93940. Auctions at 17:30 (preview Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday). See www.rmauctions.com

You can download a complete lotlist of all cars offered by Bonhams, Gooding & Co and RM Sotheby's sorted by make and model HERE.