While we grapple with the cost of living crisis and net zero debates in this country, over in California at this year’s Monterey Car Week, $175.09 million Australian dollars was forked out for the top 10 cars sold by various auction houses.
Deep pocketed car collectors from around the globe descended on Pebble Beach to bid for the finest machinery on offer this year and here is the top 10.
The most expensive car auctioned was a bit of a surprise to all. Attendees expected it to be a classic something or rather, but instead it was a modern classic by Ferrari.
A Daytona SP3 Tailor Made, of which a mere 599 were originally produced, but Ferrari’s customisation program made one more and it was this 600th example and the first from Maranello to feature the iconic Ferrari logotype in its livery that went under the hammer, fetching an eye-watering A$39.31 million at RM Sotheby’s auction.
The SP3 is powered by a naturally-aspirated, mid-mounted 6.5lt V12 with 829 horsepower and reaches 0-200km/h in 7.4 seconds. The engine is equipped with a quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. All proceeds are bound for The Ferrari Foundation to be used for future educational initiatives.
Filling the runner-up spot was another Ferrari, a 1961 250 GT SWB California Spider Competizione. With a body by Scaglietti, it’s one of two alloy-bodied Competition-Specification SWB California Spiders. It was delivered new to gentleman racer Ernst Lautenschlager via Auto Becker, and it retains its original chassis, body, engine, gearbox and differential. The three-litre V12 powered California, auctioned by Gooding & Co found a buyer at A$38.26 million. It came with an excellent provenance, having being held in three major Ferrari collections since 1968.
Completing an all-Ferrari podium was a 1993 Ferrari F40 LM by Michelotto, auctioned by RM Sotheby’s, pulling in a winning bid of A$16.46 million. It is the 14th of 19 produced and built to GTC racing specifications, making it the most powerful F40 with an attention-grabbing 760 horsepower. It has never been raced though.
It was Ferrari Classiche Certified in 2009, authenticating the matching-numbers engine, transaxle and coachwork, and sold with factory build sheets, factory invoice, early title, and a history report by marque expert Marcel Massini. It did win an event though, the Passion and Performance Collection class at the 2025 ModaMiami concours.
RM Sotheby’s and Ferrari teamed up again to sell the fourth most expensive vehicle, a Ferrari F50 for A$13.98 million. This yellow F50 was bought new and kept for eight years by fashion mogul Ralph Lauren. It is one of two US-spec F50s finished in Giallo Modena paintwork, is immaculate and hasn’t been displayed since 2009. It has less than 5400 miles on the clock and was offered from single enthusiast ownership for the last 22 years.
Fifth on the chart was a 2020 Bugatti Divo hypercar that fetched A$12.92 million at Bonhams auction, and is one of just 40 made. This one has less than 800 miles on the clock and is believed to be the first Divo to be offered at auction and prior to this, was a highlight of the Petersen Musuem Hypercar display.
Completing the top half-dozen with a price of A$12.31 million was a 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione Series III, still in its racing clobber and sold by Gooding.
It was one of 15 factory racers built and competed at LeMans in 1973 and 1974. It scored a GT class win and second outright at the 1979 24 Hours of Daytona.
Gooding and another Ferrari came in seventh with a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider selling for A$11.41 million. This California was the short-wheelbase version for better handling, with improved braking and wearing the stunning Carrozzeria Scaglietti body.
Ferraris also filled the final three spots in the top ten with Gooding selling a 1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Prototipo, yes, the original 250 GT California Spyder prototype for A$10.98 million. RM Sotheby’s sold a 2017 Ferrari LaFerrari open-top Aperta, the ninth dearest car for A$10.15 million with 2300 miles on its odo.
Rounding out the 10 for a mere A$9.07 million and auctioned by RM Sotheby’s was a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I by Pininfarina. It made its debut at the 1958 Geneva show and last year was fully restored to its original spec including Grigio Metallizzato paint and a Rosso leather interior.