15 million-dollar classics that could have been yours

More than 700 cars, trucks and motorcycles sold at Monterey Car Week auctions

Gerry Malloy
Published: August 25, 2016, 7:10 AM
Updated: August 30, 2016, 6:21 AM

Multiple million-dollar sellers at Monterey

More than 700 cars, trucks and motorcycles found buyers at Monterey Car Week auctions, many of them for more than $1-million apiece. Words by Gerry Malloy; pictures courtesy of RM Sotheby’s. ▲

Top seller topped $21-million

This Le Mans-winning 1955 Jaguar D-Type Roadster was the week’s top seller, fetching $21,780,000 (USD) at RM Sotheby’s. Seven cars in total topped the $10-million mark, each with a unique providence. But there were many more sold in the 1-to-5-million dollar range that might prove to be relative bargains in comparison. Here are 15 of our favourites in that range, from the RM Sotheby's auction, that could have been yours. ▲

1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing - $1.045M

This iconic 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing barely topped the million-mark, selling for $1,045,000 (USD). All prices include a Buyer's Premium collected by the auction companies. ▲

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster - $1.32M

Perhaps surprisingly, this 1957 Roadster version of the 300SL drew an even higher price than the Gullwing - $1,320,000 (USD). ▲

1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham - $1.32M

There weren't as many cars from the Grand Classic era as are sometimes offered, but one of those crown jewels was this 1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham, which sold for $1,320,000. ▲

1965 Shelby 427 Cobra - $1.375M

Carroll Shelby's Cobra prototype, CSX 2000, sold for $13.75-million - a new record for an American-built car - so this 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra, CSX 3178, seemed like a relative bargain for just $1,375,000 (USD). ▲

2005 Maserati MC12 - $1.43M

One of the newest cars in the auction but exceedingly rare, this 2005 Maserati MC12sold for $1,430,000 (USD). ▲

1930 Cadillac V-16 Roadster by Fleetwood - $1.4575M

Topping the Duesenberg's price, among the Grand Classics, this 16-cylinder 1930 Cadillac V-16 Roadster by Fleetwood sold for $1,475,000 (USD). ▲

1932 Bentley 8-Litre Tourer by Vanden Plas - $1.705M

From the same era but the other side of the Atlantic, this 1932 Bentley 8-Litre Tourer by Vanden Plas drew a winning bid of $1,705,000 (USD). ▲

1965 Ferrari 275 GTB by Scaglietti - $1.7325M

Ferraris were well represented in the million-dollar-plus contingent, particularly those from the 1960s. This 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB by Scaglietti sold for $1,732,500 (USD). ▲

1934 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen - $1.87M

Among the top dollar earners from the pre-war era, this rare and beautiful 1934 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen fetched $1,870,000 (USD). ▲

1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner - $1.87M

From the post-war era, this classically-beautiful 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner sold for $1,870,000 (USD). ▲

1963 Ferrari 250 GTL Berlinetta Lusso by Scaglietti - $2.09M

Back among the Ferraris, this 1963 Ferrari 250 GTL Berlinetta Lusso by Scaglietti broke through the $2-million barrier, selling for $2,090,000 (USD). ▲

1973 Ferrari 365 GTS4 Daytona Spider by Scaglietti - $2.365M

This is no 'Miami Vice' clone. It's the real thing - a 1973 Ferrari 365 GTS4 Daytona Spider by Scaglietti - and as such it sold for $2,365,000 (USD). ▲

1964 Ferrari 500 Superfast Series I by Pininfarina - $2.75M

Another timeless Ferrari design, this 1964 Ferrari 500 Superfast Series I by Pininfarina found a new owner for $2,750,000 (USD). ▲

1966 Ford GT40 - $2.9M

Designed specifically to beat Ferrari on the race track, which one did at Le Mans for the first time 50 years ago, this 1966 Ford GT40 (P-1057) sold for $2,900,000 (USD) ▲

1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione Tour de France by Scaglietti - $5.72M

OK. It fell just outside the 1-to-5-million dollar price range we set out at the beginning, but this 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione Tour de France by Scaglietti was just too pretty not to include. It sold for $5,720,000 (USD). ▲

Car Nuts Classic Cars Luxury Cars