A Mercedes-Benz 1937 540 K Special Roadster was judged Best of Show at the 72nd Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and a 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta, offered at Bonhams Quail Lodge, topped all auction sales at $30.25 million during 2023 Monterey Car Week in August.
Owned by Jim Patterson of the Patterson Collection in Louisville, Kentucky, the Pebble Beach Concours-winning Mercedes-Benz roadster is one of just three similar cars surviving and represents the consecutive year an RM Restoration car has won Best in Show. With this podium, Mercedes-Benz now has 10 Bests, most in event history; prior to this, Bugatti and Mercedes-Benz were tied.
“This 540K balances strength with sweeping lines and style, and its history is unique,” says Concours Chairman Sandra Button. “In talking with Jim about this car, I was impressed by the time and thought invested in this restoration. Every piece of this beautiful Mercedes-Benz was researched so carefully to honor its history.”
Patterson adds, “In Kentucky, you know, we talk about winning the Derby. Well, there’s such a thing as winning the Triple Crown. And so I’ve won this Concours twice before today. This is a Triple Crown for me.”
The concours welcomed 216 cars from 18 countries and 30 states. Contenders for Best in Show included another Mercedes-Benz, the Auriga Collection’s 1930 710 SS Special Roadster; a 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Corto Figoni Cabriolet; and the 1939 Delahaye 165 Figoni et Falaschi Cabriolet owned by the Peter Mullin Automotive Museum Foundation.
More than $2.68 million was raised for charity this year, bringing the event’s total charitable donations to $37-plus million to date. Through the Pebble Beach Company Foundation, the primary charitable partner of the Concours, these funds will benefit more than 90 local charities, benefitting the lives of 10,000-plus children every year in Monterey County, Button says.
Gooding & Company, the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, hosted its 19th sale at the venue during the week prior, grossing $95-plus million from 133 lots sold. The top car was an unrestored 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, which sold for $9,465,000. The auction house also set a world record for Mercer with the sale of a 1914 Type 35-J Raceabout, $4,790,000. Another Brass Era car, a 1913 Lozier Type 72 Meadowbrook Runabout, brought $1,765,000, a marque record.
RM Sotheby’s Tops All
RM Sotheby’s 26th-annual Monterey auction totaled a car-week-leading $164 million, the third most successful Monterey result in the company history, with an 86% sell-through. A 1957 Jaguar XKSS was the top seller at $13,205,000.
Ferraris posted five of the top ten sales, including the second and third slots, a 1959 Pinin Farina-designed Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupe Series III, $6,605,000, and a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 by Scaglietti, $5,395,000. Two great 1930s cars were among these leaders: a 1933 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Convertible Victoria by Dietrich, $3,305,000; and a 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ ‘Sweep Panel’ Dual-Cowl Phaeton by LaGrande, $3,030,000. The more recent 2012 Lexus LFA broke a model world record, selling above estimate at $1.1 million.
Bidders participated from more than 40 countries for the three-day event, with 20% first-time registrants, indicating continued growth and interest in the collector car marketplace.
The barn-find Lost & Found Collection was a great success. The 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider Series I by Pinin Farina generated $1,875,000, while the legendary 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy by Scaglietti brought $3,305,000. Additionally, the 1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupe Series I by Pinin Farina, showcasing its beautiful wear and tear, went to a new garage for $2,810,000.
“Following last year’s incredible success in Monterey, we are quite pleased with our team’s ability to source an incredible group of cars, ranging from pre-war classics through to modern-day hypercars. The results speak for themselves,” says Gord Duff, RM’s Global Head of Auctions.
The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering & Bonhams | Cars Quail Lodge Auction
A 1956 Ferrari Superamerica “Superfast 1” was “Best of Show” at the 2023 The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel, California.
Owned by Anne Brockinton Lee, the 1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica “Superfast 1,” Chassis 0483SA, is the only 410 Superamerica with a 4.9-liter Lampredi V-12 engine including twin ignition and 24 spark plugs; one of just four special-bodied prototypes for the 410 Superamerica; and the only 410 Superamerica prototype by Pininfarina.
Other award winners at the 20th-annual event include Spirit of The Quail, 1949 Lancia Aprilia Supergioello, owned by Nigel Churcher; Hagerty Drivers Foundation & Preservation Award, 1962 Lancia Appia Convertible Vignale, Bronson Page and Michael Baum; and The Art of Bespoke Award presented by Magneto, 1953 Delahaye 135MS CL Spéciale Faget-Varnet, Anthony Collé.
Technology was celebrated, including the debut of the exotic high-riding Lamborghini Lanzador electric 2+2 concept car; the global premier of the Maserati MCXtrema track-only electric race car; Bugatti’s Chiron Super Sport “Golden Era”; and W16 Mistral, the U.S. debut of the Rolls-Royce Spectre ultra-luxury electric super coupe; and Automobili Pininfarina’s B95 electric “hyper-barchetta” race car.
Four featured classes, including the 50th Anniversary of the 1973 RS Carrera class, joined seven recurring classes at this year’s event. The annual Fireside Chat welcomed Formula One champion and two-time Indy 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi, moderated by Maurice Merrick.
Also car restorer Bill Wallace, owner of Impact Collision Shop in Fountain Hills, and his business partner and friend, Chuck Puth, showed their 1952 Jaguar XK120 during the event, winning a participation award following its meticulous three-year nut-and-bolts restoration. Says Shanti, Wallace’s daughter and the company’s front office manager, “It was a nice show, and everyone loved the car!”
“We are grateful for the support and passion for our event that has helped us reach our 20th milestone celebration and make it the true standout event of Monterey Car Week,” says Kai Lermen, general manager of Quail Lodge & Golf Club. “This year’s gathering has set the stage for the next chapter as we strive to provide a world-class experience worthy of this passionate international audience and our esteemed event sponsors and partners.”
The 26th-annual Bonhams | Cars Quail Lodge Auction offered 109 lots, achieving a total of $55 million. One of two made, the 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta, chassis 0854, was the auction’s top car at $30.25 million as a thousand people watched to see it become the fourth most valuable Ferrari ever sold at auction. The very special Prancing Horse had participated in the FIA World Championship of Makes, Le Mans 24-Hours, Belgian Spa 1,000 Kilometers and the BOAC 500. The result surpasses the previous record, also held by Bonhams | Cars, for a 1954 Mercedes-Benz W198, which sold for $29.6 million in 2013.
“Thanks to its devoted lineage of owners and the stewardship of its seller, the 412P stands as an enduring piece of art that honors the Ferrari legacy,” says Rupert Banner, Global Head of Specialists at Bonhams | Cars. “It was a privilege to be entrusted with its sale and to attain such an exceptional outcome that respects that fully.”
Another top car was a 1966 Porsche 906/ ‘Carrera Six’ Two-Seat Endurance Racing Coupe, $2 million, a world record for the model. This highly original matching-numbers example was driven by Shintaro Taki, Kenjiro Tanaka, Mashiro Hasemi, and Peter Bellamy and won at the Suzuka 1,000 Kilometers in 1967 and 1969 and the Suzuka 500 Kilometers in 1968.
In addition, a 1909 Lorraine-Dietrich 16.4-Liter Grand Prix Two-Seater delivered $1.27 million, and a 1949 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Cabriolet, with Dubos coachwork and one of only three surviving short chassis models, $2-plus million.
Mecum Goes Wild for Ferraris
Mecum Monterey 2023 generated $45 million at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa’s Del Monte Golf Course, led by a 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy Berlinetta (Lot F84) that brought $3.41 million; six of the top 10 cars surpassed $1 million.
Ferraris dominated, with seven of the top 10 slots, including a 3,417-mile 1990 Ferrari F40 (Lot S96), $2.53 million; a 1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast Series II (Lot F89), the first of only 12 built, $1.84 million; and a 1968 Ferrari 330 GTS (Lot F91), $1.76 million.
Private vehicle collections sold for $19.21 million, including the Veloce, Schnell & Fast Sports Car Collection, 21 vehicles, $12,910,000; The Don Williams Estate Collection, eight vehicles, $1,010,990; and the Mike and Debbie Rogers Datsun Collection, eight cars, $1,037,655, with a 1969 Datsun Fairlady Z432 (Lot S82), $297,000.
A 1956 Porsche 356A 1500 GS Carrera Speedster (Lot F96) took the No. 7 spot, $935,000; a 1971 Chevrolet Corvette ZR2 Convertible (Lot S97), one of only two produced, $863,500; and a 1948 Packard Super 8 Convertible Victoria (Lot S118.1), most recently owned by basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a six-time NBA champion and the second-highest NBA all-time scorer.
Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Marks 70 Years of Corvette
More than 53,000 Visitors celebrated seven decades of “America’s Sports Car” during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna. The GM Heritage Museum brought six stellar examples, including the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning C8.R and the CERV I, II and III advanced prototypes.
Others included the Corvette SS prototype from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and the three 1960 Cunningham Corvettes including the first Corvette to win its class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans; two of the original five Corvette Grand Sports; and the 1966 Daytona and Sebring class-winning Roger Penske Corvette. Corvette racing legend Ron Fellows was Grand Marshal.
“Walking throughout the paddock and Hagerty Marketplace during the week, I could see the happy families truly enjoying the activities,” recalls John Narigi, president and general manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “It’s all possible through the visionary work of everyone behind the scenes who work tirelessly to be able to produce this renowned event for everyone to enjoy.
The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion annually recognizes the spirit of competition with extraordinary cars. This year’s recipients included Peter Giddings Memorial Award, Ivan Zaremba, 1935 Railton Light Sport Tourer; Ken Miles Award, Nick Grewal, 1959 Lotus; Phil Remington Award, presented by Ford, Pedro Vela of the REVS Institute; and Bonhams Award – Alastair Chalmers, 1975 Chevron.
The Rolex Awards are presented to drivers who represent Overall Excellence in each of ten Groups during the Saturday races. A few examples: Group 1: 1955–1967 SCCA Production-Small Displacement, William Lyon, 1960 Porsche RS60 Spyder; Group 5: Ragtime Racers Exhibition, Julien Pearl, 1911 White Speedster; Group 8: 1966–1972 Historic Trans-Am, Jim Hague in a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302; Group 10: 1955–1967 SCCA Production-Large Displacement, Jeff Abramson for his 1964 Chevrolet Corvette.
And, in the Hillclimb, Thomas Merrill set a record of 37 seconds for an electric vehicle in a 2023 Drako GTE.
Concorso Italiano, Exotics on Broadway and Little Car Show
At the Concorso Italiano 2023 hosted by the Bayonet Black Horse Golf Course, Michael and Toni Weinreb’s 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400 was the Best of Show. Other winners were a 1965 Lamborghini 350 GT, Brooke Stuart owner (Valentino Balboni Award); 1997 Ferrari 355, Kevin Enderby (Doug Magnon Award); 1964 Maserati Vignale Spyder, Bruce Wanta (Meguiar’s Best Finish Award); 1967 Lamborghini 400GT 2+2, Jack Riddell (Chairman’s Award); and a 1955 OSCA Sports Racer, Phil White (Spirit of Mille Miglia Award).
Also honored were a 1965 Lancia Flavia PF Coupe, Dan Ritter (Lancia); 1965 Iso Rivolta GT, Buddy Pepp (Iso & Bizzarrini); 1947 Cisitalia 202 Sport, Alex Pilibos (Special Coachworks); 1973 Maserati Bora, Emile Dell’Aquila (Maserati); 1957 Alfa Romeo Sprint Veloce, John and Pat Carapiet (Alfa Romeo); 1988 Bertone X1/9, Bruce Wanta (Fiat/Abarth); 1992 DeTomaso Pantera, Dave Kanahele (DeTomaso); 1963 Ferrari 250GT Lusso, Hoffman Hibbett (Ferrari); and a 2020 Aprilia RSV4 Factory, Daniel Starner (Motorcycle).
Manufacturers such as Pagani, Koenigsegg, and Hennessey Performance were seen at the Exotics on Broadway, where 55,000-plus people, 250 cars and 40 vendors were present. The estimated value of the cars exhibited was between $450 to $500 million.
“We started this event for all automotive enthusiasts to see these works of art that are not available to the masses,” says Ramin Arami, managing partner for the event. “We are so excited to see how quickly this event has become a fans favorite and truly ‘The People’s Show.’ We are grateful to the owners and manufacturers that share these beauties with the world at Exotics On Broadway.”
The 13th annual Little Car Show was held in downtown Pacific Grove on Wednesday of Monterey Car Week. The 2023 event offered 135 vehicles with gas or electric engines no larger than 1800cc. Vehicles included Austin, Moke, Mini, Elva, Abarth, DAF, Manx, Stebins, Jabro, Formosa, Yugo, VW and more. Local businesses also gave out awards. Aliotti’s Victorian Restaurant chose Robert Boerner’s 1961 Porsche Notchback as “The Most Beautiful Car” at the show.
“The show just keeps getting better and better each year. Increasing the maximum engine size to 1800cc opened the show up to many great vehicles that couldn’t previously participate,” says John Moulton, president of Marina Motorsports, the 501c3 that produces The Little Car Show. “We’re thrilled to once again support Pacific Grove Youth Center and Veterans Transition Center of California through fun with cars.”
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