ANALYSIS: Top 5 Cars That Flew at Monterey Car Week 2025

These are the cars that smashed through their estimates and flew at Monterey Car Week 2025.

The list here contains those cars that exceeded their estimates based upon dollar value or the percentage by which they exceeded their estimate.

Impressively, all these cars as sold by RM Sotheby's. Indeed when we look at the data in terms of both dollar value above estimate and the percentage they exceeded estimate RM hold the top 8 spots in both categories.

5 - 1969 Volkswagen Beetle Limousine

This custom-built 1969 Volkswagen Beetle Limousine, a true one-of-a-kind creation, caused a huge surprise at the RM Sotheby's auction by more than doubling its high estimate. The car, which was estimated to sell for between $150,000 and $200,000, ultimately sold for an incredible $335,000. It cruised past its $175,000 mid-point estimate by $160,000 - a 91% increase. This unique limo was commissioned by the influential Porsche/VW distributor John von Neumann and was even featured in a national ad campaign as "The $35,000 Beetle." Stretched by 40 inches, it features a luxurious interior with a minibar, foldout jump seats, and an upgraded engine to handle the extra weight. It even has a rumored connection to Hollywood royalty, with notes suggesting it once chauffeured John Wayne to the Academy Awards.

4 - 1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia GT 1300 Junior

Proving that you don't need a multi-million dollar car to cause a stir, this 1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia GT 1300 Junior more than doubled its estimate at the RM Sotheby's auction. With a modest estimate of $25,000 - $35,000, the little Alfa raced to an impressive final price of $61,600. That's a huge leap of $31,600 over its $30,000 mid-point estimate, a jump of over 105%. This car has a cool history; it was modified by Alfa Romeo's racing division, Autodelta, back in the day and was actively raced in the US in the late 1980s. It's a great example of a classic Italian race car that clearly captured the hearts of bidders.

3 - 1991 Ferrari 512 TR

This 1992 Ferrari 512 TR didn't just fly past its estimate; it set a new public auction world record. The stunning Blu Sera Metallizzato car sold at the RM Sotheby's event for an astonishing $775,000, smashing the previous record of $582,500. This sale also blew its pre-sale estimate of $350,000 - $400,000 completely out of the water, exceeding the midpoint by $400,000 - a remarkable 107% increase. It's easy to see why it commanded such a price; a true time capsule, this is one of only two US-market 512 TRs in its colour. It was offered by its original owner with less than 7,810 miles and came complete with original documentation and a five-piece fitted luggage set still in its original boxes.

2 - 1995 Ferrari F50

Setting a new world record, this 1995 Ferrari F50, once owned by fashion mogul Ralph Lauren, absolutely demolished its pre-auction estimate. Offered by RM Sotheby's, the car sold for an incredible $9,245,000, soaring past its estimate of $6.5 million to $7.5 million. It blew through the $7 million mid-point by a staggering $2,245,000, which is a massive 32% increase. This wasn't just any F50; it's one of only two finished in the vibrant Giallo Modena for the US market and has been kept out of the public eye since 2009 by its owner of 22 years, making it a very special find for the new owner.

1 - 2025 Ferrari Daytona SP3

In an incredible act of generosity (and a bit of ego I'm sure), this one-of-a-kind 2025 Ferrari Daytona SP3, specially created for a charity auction, didn't just break its estimate - it obliterated it. With an estimate "in excess of $3.5m," RM Sotheby's hammered this car down for a jaw-dropping $26,000,000. That's a staggering $22,500,000 over the estimate, a mind-blowing 643% increase. All the proceeds from this "599+1" creation, with its unique exposed carbon fibre and Giallo Modena livery, are going to The Ferrari Foundation to support future educational initiatives. It's a car that not only looks spectacular but also does a world of good.

It took us over 13 hours to pull together all the Monterey analysis so if you enjoyed it, please sign up to our newsletter here to be the first to receive these insights and more.

Feel free to share it with a friend, too!

Till next year...