A one-off Deusenberg J Figoni Sports Torpedo, a Ferrari 410 Sport Spider by Scaglietti, a Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante, a Jaguar D-Type and a Bizzarini 5300 Strada led hundreds of classic vehicles into this year’s Monterey Car Week and its culminating Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance.
The 1932 Duesenberg J Figoni Sports Torpedo was Best of Show at the 71st Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance — the first time since 2013 that an American classic ascended the top spot at the showcase event. At auction, RM Sotheby’s sold the week’s most expensive car, making $22,005,000 with the sale of a 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider. Placing second for the week was a 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante.
Meanwhile, the 1956 Jaguar D-Type, owned by well-known Paradise Valley, Arizona, collector William ‘Bill’ Pope, was honored as the Best of Show at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, for “its superb construction, design, attention to detail, workmanship and extensive restoration process,” an official statement noted. The great model was prepared and detailed by Rolling Art Motorsports in Scottsdale, Arizona. In one of the most remarkable achievements in racing history, Jaguar won Le Mans three years straight with the D-Type, 1955 to 1957; it’s estimated that only 75 were built.
At Mecum, a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT ‘Tour De France’ Alloy Berlinetta (Lot S57) led all lots at $2,860,000. And, during the silver-anniversary Bonhams at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, the final Ferrari 250 Europa GT sold for $2,095,000.
Also, a 1967 Bizzarrini 5300 Strada, owned by Billy and Tisa Hibbs of Tyler, Texas, won Best in Show at Concorso Italiano. And, the 2022 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion hosted 400-plus incredible historic race cars, drivers and fans for racing and car talk.
Meanwhile, Exotics on Broadway, held in Seaside, welcomed almost 60,000 people, who enjoyed supercars such as Koenigsegg, Bugatti, Pagani and others. The event included title sponsor Michelin USA and 45 additional sponsors and vendors. “This year’s first VIP tent was a huge success,” says Aimee Shackelford, an event spokesperson.
Pebble Beach Brilliance
The one-off Duesenberg bested 220 stellar cars from 19 countries and 33 states at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
“This rare Duesenberg marries American might with European style,” says Concours Chairman Sandra Button. “It did well in some early rallies and concours. Then, its history took a turn, with chassis separated from body. The story of its resurrection is one of pure passion.” The winning car had received an exhaustive restoration in Blenheim, Canada, by RM Restorations.
In 2013, a 1934 Packard Twelve took the top spot at Pebble Beach; nine years later, the Duesenberg brothers’ marque returned to the podium; it had claimed six prior wins at Pebble Beach.
The one-only car is owned by Lee R. Anderson Sr. and his wife, Penny. “My goodness, we’re overwhelmed,” she said just after the win. “We just can’t believe we won Best of Show! It’s just a joy and an honor to be here.”
Runners-up included Fritz Burkard’s 1937 Talbot-Lago T150C-SS Figoni & Falaschi Teardrop Coupé; Sam and Emily Mann’s 1930 Duesenberg J Graber Cabriolet; and Merle and Peter Mullin’s 1951 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Stabilimenti Farina Cabriolet.
This year’s Pebble Beach Concours raised more than $2.67 million for charity, bringing the event’s total charitable donations to $35-plus million. More than 95 Monterey County charities will benefit, helping 10,000-plus local children annually.
“We’ve been doing this for years, and we’ve come close in the past, but we’ve never won actually,” said Lee Anderson of his car. “All the preparation — the story behind this car is just amazing. There’s only one Figoni Duesenberg, ever ever, and it’s this one right here. So, it’s like all these things coming together to make a real champion. We’re so excited.”
Gooding & Company, the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, realized $109.45 million in sales for its 18th auction event during Monterey Car Week. Five vehicles set world records, including an unrestored 1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series I Coupé Aerodinamico which sold for $6,000,000; a 1990 Ferrari F40, $3,965,000; and a 1994 Bugatti EB110 Super Sport, $3,167,500.
RM Sotheby’s, Mecum
RM Sotheby’s flagship auction totaled $239.26 million, more than all other Monterey auctions combined, and broke a world record for the highest grossing automotive auction ever, says Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions for the Blenheim, Ontario-based house.
Other stand-out vehicles were a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen, $9,905,000, and a 2022 Porsche 911 ‘Sally Special,’ which became the most expensive factory-new Porsche ever at $3.6 million, the company says.
Bidders came from 38 countries and cars arrived from nine countries, 52 lots sold for more than $1 million, and 95% of the lots sold, a total of 180 cars.
“The market continues to rise and this weekend is a testament that the collector market is thriving,” Duff says. “We’re looking forward to an exceptional year and we expect to continue with the incredible momentum that we’ve gained to date.”
Mecum Monterey 2022 offered a superlative mix of pre-war classics to muscle cars, ’80s- and ’90s-era cars as well as late model supercars and exotics. Sales exceeded $52.1 million, as 297 collector cars pleased new owners. In addition to the 250 GT ‘Tour De France’ Alloy Berlinetta, two other Ferraris finished in the top 10: the 2014 LaFerrari Prototype PS1 (Lot (S33), $2.5 million, and the 2012 LaFerrari Prototype MP1 (Lot S34), $1.6 million.
A 1936 Duesenberg Model J Rollston Convertible Berline (Lot S37), J-586/2611, “The Final Duesenberg Show Car,” was the auction’s second highest seller at $2.7 million, and a 1931 Marmon Sixteen Convertible Coupe (Lot S64), Chassis No. 16-144-722 of The Greg Dawson Marmon Sixteen Collection, brought $1.83 million.
Other top sellers at the auction included a 2014 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse Jean-Pierre Wimille Legend Edition (Lot S50), $2.64 million; a 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster (Lot S49), $1.49 million, and the 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 (Lot S58) previously owned by the late actor Paul Walker (Fast & Furious franchise), $1.08 million.
“More now than ever, buyers are willing to spend money for quality cars and recognize the limited opportunities to acquire the best examples possible. This year in Monterey was certainly one of those opportunities,” says Sam Murtaugh, COO of Mecum Auctions. “The lineup in Monterey was filled not simply with quantity but with quality, and the results throughout the week showed that the collector car market continues to charge ahead into new territory.”
Bonhams ‘Stars’ & Concorso Italiano
The 25th edition of the Bonhams Monterey Week sale achieved more than $30 million with a sell-through rate of 90%; several seven-figure collector cars sold. The 1955 250 Europa GT Coupé is the very last example of the landmark model built by Pininfarina, first exhibited at the 1956 Brussels Motor Show; it raced in period at Spa Francorchamps.
Other European classics included a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupé, which achieved $1,737,500, and a 1931 Stutz DV-32 Convertible Victoria, with one-off coachwork by LeBaron, $1,435,000. A 1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly also brought $1.435 million.
From the States two star rides sold: an ex-Steve McQueen 1971 Husqvarna motorcycle, $186,500, one of the actor’s favorite off-road bikes until his death in 1980 and an ex-Humphrey Bogart 1956 Ford Thunderbird, $105,000, in slate grey coachwork as ordered by Bogie.
“We are very pleased with the strong sell-through rate and results achieved for the many exciting lots we offered,” says Jakob Greisen, vice president and head of Bonhams US Motoring Department. “We are pleased to be entrusted with several cars that had over half a century ownership and are honored to pass these on to the next custodians.”
The Best of Show at this year’s Concorso Italiano was a 1967 Bizzarrini 5300 Strada owned by Billy and Tisa Hibbs. “This is an exceptional example of a well-preserved and-maintained Italian treasure from years past,” said Tom McDowell, chairman of the Concorso Italiano Foundation. “Each of the best of marque winners agreed this was most deserving of Best of Show.”
Two winners of the Bella Machina Award — the Concorso Italiano Hall of Fame — were Maruzio Corbi, the famed Pinninfarina designer, and Mariella Mengozzi, curator and director of the MAUTO, Museo Dell’Automomobile Di Torino, the automotive museum in Turin, Italy.
Meguiars Best Finish award went to Alan Pliska for his 1966 Lamborghini GT 400 2+2, the Valentino Balboni award was presented to the First Diablo VT Roadster imported into the United States, owned by Robert Felton and prepared by Worldwide Detailing Products & Services, Adolfo Orsi, the automotive historian and publisher, received the Doug Magnon Award.
Two county community groups benefitted with generous donations from Concorso Italiano: Habitat for Humanity of Monterey County and the San Marcos School.
Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Celebrates 24 Hours of Le Mans
The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion began the year-long centennial celebration of the 24 Hours of Le Mans at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
“We are very pleased by the initial feedback to the new Wednesday-through-Saturday format, the activities and features, the car selection and driver camaraderie, and ticket sales,” says John Narigi, president and general manager of the famous venue. “I want to also thank our county of Monterey supervisors who participated to see just how important the Rolex Reunion is in the motoring world.”
The Grand Marshal for the event was nine-time Le Mans overall winner Tom Kristensen. Also attending were six-time overall winner Jacky Ickx, four-time overall winner Henri Pescarolo, one-time overall and two-time class winner Stefan Johansson, overall winner Jochen Mass, two-time class winners John Morton and Ron Fellows, Shelby Daytona Cobra designer, Peter Brock and the president of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, Pierre Fillon. The session was hosted by automotive historian Murray Smith.
The Le Mans Legends Heritage Display, presented by Motul, included 51 winning cars and selected specials, such as the 1929 and 1930 overall-winning Bentley Speed Six, two Ferrari 250 GTOs, the 1967 winning Ford Mk IV and the 2005 Audi R8.
Among the award-winners were the Ken Miles Award, David Woodhouse, driving the ex-Ken Miles’ 1961 Dolphin Mk2 and The Spirit of Monterey, Martin Lauber, who entered his 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TI and 1976 Porsche 911 RSR. Another fan favorite was the fabulous Hudson Hornet, “Doc Hudson,” that was the acclaimed character in the move Cars, driven by Bruce Canepa.
Among the track winners were Gunnar Jeannette, who recorded a 36.25 Hillclimb in a 1971 Porsche 908/3. “The first-ever Corkscrew Hillclimb and Community Day was a resounding success and attracted many of our area residents for the first time,” Narigi says.
Says Monterey Mayor Clyde Roberson of the successful event: “Monterey Car Week 2022 was a smooth ride. Our city team and partnering agencies worked hard to help host the busiest week of the year on the Monterey Peninsula, and I was proud to see a fun, safe, respectful crowd enjoying the car events and the beautiful city of Monterey.”
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