Monterey: Top 5 Cars That Flew at Monterey Car Week 2026

Plenty of top end motors grabbed the headlines from the auctions in Monterey.

Perhaps the more interesting take though, and one that's not spoken about enough, is what cars over or underperformed. Here are the top 5 cars that exceeded their estimate in percentage terms.

5 - 1991 Rolls-Royce Corniche III

Estimate: $75,000 - $95,000

Sold: $184,800

Overperformance: 95% / $89,800

Auction House: Broad Arrow

One of just 122 U.S.-market examples produced in 1991 with a little over 16,000 miles on the clock. This two-tone Corniche III hit its top notes when it finished far beyond it's $95,000 top estimate, selling for $184,800 - a new world record for a Corniche III.

4 - 2004 Porsche 996 GT3

Estimate: $125,000 - $175,000

Sold: $351,500

Overperformance: 101% / $176,500

Auction House: Gooding Christie's

We've discussed previously how hot the 996 market is right now - another example just confirmed that. This single owner 9,700 mile example finished in Speed Yellow not only doubled its estimate but smashed through the previous world record for a 996 GT3 of $220,000 when this sold for $351,500 with Gooding Christie's.

3 - 1956 Volkswagen Beetle

Estimate: $60,000 - $80,000

Sold: $168,000

Overperformance: 110% / $88,000

Auction House: Gooding Christie's

Most Beetles lack oomf. This one doesn't, and in more ways than one. Power wise this example came with the rare Judson Supercharger. Beautifully restored with less than 700 miles, it was accompanied with a charming “Tag-A-Long” single-wheel trailer and various accessories. This also had the oomf to blast past its $80,000 top estimate by more than double selling for $168,000.

2 - 2020 Ligier JS P320

Estimate: $80,000 - $120,000

Sold: $313,000

Overperformance: 161% / $193,000

Auction House: RM Sotheby's

This LMP3 spec vehicle came to auction with an estimate of $80,000 - $120,000. It ripped through that in and sold including fees at $313,000. That's a 161% rise over the top estimate. Someone was very keen for a track day toy.

1 - 2026 Ferrari Luce 'Tailor Made'

Estimate: In excess of $1,100,000

Sold: $40,000,000

Overperformance: 3,536% / $38,900,000

Auction House: RM Sotheby's

There's no debate which sale dropped more jaws to the floor. The Ferrari Luce, estimated at in excess of $1.1m, was Chassis 0 being sold with all proceeds to The Ferrari Foundation.

And it proceeded to climb, and climb, and climb. Finding its resting place at $40m.

Many claimed it was all about the tax write off. Not plausible, the tax write off on a purchase like this is c. $15m. Someone is going to pay $40m over a fair market value in order to save $15m - the math don't math.

Many claimed it was money laundering. The buyer Dr Hebert Wertheim is a billionaire with a clean history. Doesn't stack up.

The real reason turned out to be simple. Dr Wertheim has a history of significant donations to Universities and other similar organisations. Where do the proceeds of this sale go? The Ferrari Foundation which works in the education space - aligning perfectly with his prior charitable activity.

Notably, the Dr also was the purchaser of the SP3 charity lot last year which sold for $26,000,000.

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Till next year...