2022 Monterey Car Week auctions: Block party

With half a dozen high-end auctions scheduled and something in the region of 2000 lots crossing the block there should be no shortage of bidding opportunities during Monterey Car Week.

Of the ‘traditional’ houses, Gooding & Company will reprise the role of official auctioneer that it has held since 2005, staging its sale across both days of the concours weekend; Bonhams will be at its regular Quail Lodge venue, and RM Sotheby’s at the Monterey Conference Centre.

Those in search of a little extra pizzazz, meanwhile, might want to seek out what are typically the more flamboyant performances given by the gavel swingers at Mecum and Russo and Steele.

The most closely scrutinised event of all, however, is likely to the debut sale by Broad Arrow Auctions, part of the Broad Arrow Group set up by a team of former RM Sotheby’s executives at the end of last year.

The words ‘cat’ and ‘pigeons’ spring to mind, especially in view of the fact that there’s likely to be a large amount of pent-up, post-Covid cash earmarked for the first ‘normal’ Monterey Car Week since 2019.

Will records be set? And, if so, who by? Let the bidding battles commence…

Broad Arrow

Monterey Jet Center, 300 Sky Park Drive, Monterey, August 18.
On View August 17/18. Admission Viewing – Free and open to public; Sale – Bidders and invited guests only  

This is the first live auction to be held by the fledgling Broad Arrow Group, the one-stop-shop collector-car service set up last year by a band of former RM Sotheby’s executives. But being the new kid on the block hasn’t prevented Broad Arrow from fielding some seriously heavy metal at this inaugural auction.

The star of the show is set to be a superb 1957 Ferrari 250 long-wheelbase Berlinetta ‘Tour de France’ by Scaglietti, above, that could realise up to £5.5m.

Left in a sorry state after being involved in a series of minor road accidents, it was discovered and recommissioned by former NART mechanic Wayne Spurling in 1975 before being acquired by the current owner more than 40 years later.

Other seven-figure offerings include a couple of ‘moderns’ in the form of a LaFerrari (£2.4m-£2.6m), above, and a Porsche 918 Spyder (£1.2m-£1.3m), both 2015.

But the car most likely to far exceed its estimate is a 1964 Aston Martin DB5 in Snow Shadow Grey, above that belonged to the late James Bond star Sir Sean Connery. Conservatively tipped to fetch £1.1m-£1.4m, the aluminium-bodied saloon is the only Aston ever owned by Sir Sean – and included in the sale will be the chance to drive in it with the actor’s friend and fellow Scot, Sir Jackie Stewart. broadarrowauctions.com 

RM Sotheby’s

Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza, Monterey, August 19-20.
On View August 17-20, 10am-4pm; Sale 5.30pm Both Days
Admission $40 (£32)

Super-rich Mercedes fans who aspire to own the ultimate in 300SL Gullwing cars – an Alloy – are in for a rare chance to acquire one when the 14th of the 29 built comes under the hammer. Restored to perfection, it’s finished in quintessential silver grey metallic. RM Sotheby’s sold an almost identical example in January for £5.4m.

This sale also features 22 cars from the estate of the late swimming pool parts tycoon Oscar Davis, among which are no fewer than five Bugattis. rmsothebys.com

Mecum

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel, 1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey, August 18-20
On View August 16-18, From 8am
Admission $30 (£24); $20 (£16) in advance

This is one of Mecum’s smaller events so it will offer a mere 600 cars across three days of frantic gavel action. With that many lots variety is guaranteed, and cars on offer range from a 1911 Kissel Kar once owned by the curator of Reno’s legendary Harrah’s Automobile Collection to a 2019 Vanderhall Venice Speedster, an insane trike powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine.

Of interest is a McLaren M6B Can-Am car that was owned and raced by Oscar Koveleski in the 1969 series. mecum.com

Russo and Steele

The Old Train Station, 290 Figueroa Street, Monterey, August 18-20.
On View August 17, 10am-5pm; August 18, 9am-3pm
Admission $30 (£24)

If you’re the type of bidder who’s inclined to get carried away, it might be best to steer clear of Russo and Steele’s 300-lot sale. Its ‘auction in the round’ format – whereby lots are driven through in an unrestrained display of high-octane action – is a dangerous place for the impulsive.

A wide variety of cars and motorcycles will be on offer, ranging from ‘brass era’ pioneers to 21st century supercars. Sales take place each evening on the dot of 6pm. russoandsteele.com

Gooding & Company

Pebble Beach Parc Du Concours, Stevenson Drive/Portola Road, Pebble Beach, August 20-21.
On View August 18-20, 9am-6pm. Catalogue $100 (£80), Admits two.
Admission only $40 (£32) For One Person

Back again as the official Pebble Beach auctioneer for the 18th occasion, Gooding & Company is the only house permitted to stage its sale within the grounds of the Pebble Beach Golf Club where the celebrated Concours d’Elegance takes place.

In typical Gooding style, the catalogue presents an eclectic mix of cars that have one thing in common – they are all of exceptionally high quality. So whether you’re in contention for a humble offering such as a 1967 VW Beetle, a competitive historic race car in the form of a 1971 Chevron B19, above, or a ’67 Lamborghini 400 ‘gentleman’s express’, it’s likely to be among the best of its type available. Our money is on a Lola Mk1, chassis BR2, while fans of classics in period hues will be drawn to a 1989 911 Club Sport in rare lime-gold metallic. goodingco.com