Monterey Car Week closed with a historic tally, as the five major houses posted a combined $762 million in transactions, according to the latest figures.
Record totals dwarf prior benchmarks
The total eclipses the previous high of $471 million set in 2022. Estimates for last year’s events hovered around $433 million, making the current surge even more striking. The surge reflects a surge in both volume and price, a rare convergence for the gathering.
Roughly 1,133 automobiles were offered across the venues, with 859 changing hands. That translates to a 76 percent sell‑through rate overall, a solid performance for such a competitive market.
Among the sellers, one house posted a 94 percent sell‑through, while another logged 87 percent, and a third reached 85 percent. Those figures suggest that buyers were eager to snap up the available gems.
High‑end models lift the average price
One‑of‑seven Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe fetched $42,905,000, setting a new benchmark for the model. A first‑generation Ferrari Luce followed at $40,000,000 in a charity bidding. The McLaren F1 GTR sold for $34,655,000, becoming the most expensive McLaren and the priciest British‑built car ever sold at such an event.
A rare Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport racer commanded $18,705,000, establishing a fresh high for that lineage. Ferrari remained well‑represented: two Enzos, two F50s and a 288 GTO each cleared the $10 million threshold, while an F40 went for $8,365,000 and a LaFerrari for $8,695,000.
In total, 142 cars sold for more than $1 million, pushing the week‑long average price to $887,399. By contrast, the prior year’s average lingered near $525,000.
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Eleven automobiles exceeded the $10 million mark, showing the appetite for ultra‑rare specimens.
The numbers are, frankly, astonishingly high, yet they also raise questions about the future of these machines.
When such lofty figures dominate headlines, the practical side of ownership can slip into the background. Historically, collectors have balanced preservation with occasional track outings, but as prices climb, the incentive to risk damage diminishes. This dynamic may reshape how enthusiasts interact with their acquisitions, shifting from active driving to static display.
Across the three‑day span, the venues processed a total of 859 successful transactions, a concrete metric that illustrates market depth.
Looking ahead, the next edition of the gathering will likely draw even more high‑profile consignments, as owners seek the prestige and charitable exposure the event provides.
For reference, the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe’s record can be explored on its Wikipedia page.
