A 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C and a 1970 Porsche 917K used in the Steve McQueen Le Mans movie are the highlights of the Gooding Pebble Beach 2017 sale.
A 1970 Porsche 917K used in the Steve McQueen Le Mans movie is likely to set a new marque record if sold at estimate in the Gooding Pebble Beach classic car auction during the Monterey Week in August 2017. The Porsche 917K will compete with a 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C for top result. Other highlights of the annual sale include a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet, a supercharged 1928 Mercedes-Benz S-Type 26/180 Sports Tourer and a 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta. Around 30 cars are expected to sell for a million dollar or more ranging from per-war classics to nearly new supercars.
Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Sale 2017
Gooding & Company, the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, will held its annual Monterey Week classic car auctions on August 18 & 19, 2017, at the Equestrian Center in Pebble Beach, California.
In 2016, Gooding set a new company record earning $129,8 million in sales during the two-day event. The 115 of the 138 lots offered sold for a sell-through rate of 83% and an average of $1,128,606 per car. Gooding sold 26 cars for more than a million dollars with four selling for more than $10 million.
Million-Dollar Cars at Gooding Pebble Beach 2017
Around 30 cars are expected to sell for more than a million dollar (or near there) at the Gooding Pebble Beach classic car auctions. These include:
| Year | Car | Estimate ($) |
| 1970 | Porsche 917K | 13,000,000 – 16,000,000 |
| 1966 | Ferrari 275 GTB/C | 12,000,000 – 16,000,000 |
| 1959 | Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet | 5,000,000 – 7,000,000 |
| 1928 | Mercedes Benz S Type 26/180 Sports Tourer | 5,000,000 – 6,000,000 |
| 1956 | Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta | 4,000,000 – 5,000,000 |
| 2015 | Ferrari LaFerrari | 3,300,000 – 3,900,000 |
| 1954 | Ferrari 500 Mondial Series I | 3,000,000 – 3,800,000 |
| 1967 | Ferrari 275 GTB/4 | 3,000,000 – 3,500,000 |
| 1974 | Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 TT 12 | 2,400,000 – 2,800,000 |
| 1931 | Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Series V Grand Sport | 2,000,000 – 2,500,000 |
| 1958 | BMW 507 Series II | 2,000,000 – 2,500,000 |
| 1965 | Ferrari 275 GTB | 2,000,000 – 2,400,000 |
| 2015 | McLaren P1 | 2,000,000 – 2,200,000 |
| 1966 | Ferrari 275 GTS | 1,700,000 – 2,000,000 |
| 1939 | Bugatti Type 57C Cabriolet | 1,500,000 – 2,000,000 |
| 1964 | Porsche 904 Carrera GTS | 1,500,000 – 1,800,000 |
| 1951 | Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe | 1,500,000 – 1,800,000 |
| 1953 | Fiat 8V Berlinetta Elaborata | 1,400,000 – 1,800,000 |
| 1954 | Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe | 1,300,000 – 1,600,000 |
| 1955 | Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 1,250,000 – 1,500,000 |
| 1963 | Porsche 356 B Carrera 2 Cabriolet | 1,250,000 – 1,500,000 |
| 1957 | Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster | 1,200,000 – 1,500,000 |
| 1965 | Shelby 289 Cobra | 1,200,000 – 1,400,000 |
| 1988 | Porsche 959 Komfort | 1,200,000 – 1,400,000 |
| 1937 | Maserati 6CM | 1,000,000 – 1,400,000 |
| 1955 | Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 1,000,000 – 1,300,000 |
| 1962 | Ferrari 250 GT Series II Cabriolet | 800,000 – 1,200,000 |
| 1994 | Porsche 964 Carrera 3.8 RSR | 900,000 – 1,100,000 |
| 1957 | Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster | 800,000 – 1,000,000 |
| 1994 | Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 S Flachbau | 700,000 – 900,000 |
| 1971 | Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona | 750,000 – 850,000 |
| 1938 | Peugeot 402 DarlMat Special Sport Roadster | 700,000 – 900,000 |
| 1949 | Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport Coupe | 700,000 – 800,000 |
| 1965 | Ferari 330 GT 2+2 Shooting Break | 700,000 – 900,000 |
Multi-Million Cars at Pebble Beach 2017
Only two cars – the 1970 Porsche 917K and the 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C – are expected to sell in excess of ten million dollar at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2017 sale. In 2016, Gooding broke that mark four times at Pebble Beach including two Ferrari 250 GT competition cars and a marque record for Bugatti.
After the classic car auctions at the start of 2017, David Gooding said the market had changed and sellers of such cars are probably wise to hold off a bit before bringing such top-end vehicles to market. RM Sotheby’s and Bonhams are similarly placing less emphasis on the top end of the market this year despite also bringing a few very rare cars to auction.
“Modern classics” – basically new cars produced in limited numbers – are expected to continue selling well and earning the lucky first owners a handsome return on original purchase prices.
1970 Porsche 917K
The leading car at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2017 classic car auction is a 1970 Porsche 917K-024 with an estimate of $13,000,000 – $16,000,000. This Porsche belonged to Swiss racing driver Jo Siffert but more famously was used during the epic Steve McQueen “Le Mans” movie. It is this connection rather than a successful in period racing history that is driving the price. Porsche used this car mostly for development and pre-race testing. The Porsche is presented in blue and orange Gulf livery that always goes well with a 917.
Gooding achieved the marque record for a Porsche at Pebble Beach 2015 when $10,120,000 was paid for a 1982 Porsche 956 that actually won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1983 (and finished second the year before).
1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C
A 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C, chassis 09051, estimate $12,000,000 to $16,000,000, was a sensational late announcement for the Gooding Pebble Beach 2017 sale. The car on offer was the sixth of only 12 examples of the Competizione version ever built. The car was designed for racing with weightsaving techniques including the thinnest of aluminium bodies and Perspex instead of glass for some of the windows. The car on offer participated in 20 in-period races that included several class wins. It is fully restored to its original appearance with original body, chassis and engine. It has not been shown since the 2007 Pebble Beach concourse where it received 99 points.
1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet
The second Ferrari at the 2017 Gooding Pebble Beach sale is a beautiful 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet, chassis 1475 GT, estimate: $5,000,000-$7,000,000. In contrast to the Scaglietti California Spiders, this cabriolet by Pinin Farina had cleaner lines and already hinted at designs that would follow in the 1960s. The Ferrari is very original with the original engine and gearbox but beautifully presented in dark metallic blue over tan rather than the original sun yellow over brown.
1928 Mercedes-Benz S-Type 26/180 Sports Tourer
The leading Mercedes Benz at Gooding Pebble Beach 2017 is the supercharged 1928 Mercedes-Benz S-Type 26/180 Sports Tourer, chassis 35920, estimate: $5,000,000-$6,000,000.
Only 146 of these supercharged Mercedes BenzS-Type cars conceived by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche were built in 1927 and 1928 of which at least 58 survived. In addition to the more common Sindelfingen bodies, many received coachwork from other specialist. The car on offer has a unique body by Gläser-Karosserie.
This 1928 Mercedes-Benz S-Type 26/180 Sports Tourer was restored in 2013 and is sold from an estate after being owned since 1964 by the same East Coast family.
A 1928 Mercedes Benz Typ S 26/120/180 Supercharged Sports Tourer with coachwork by Erdmann & Rossi sold for $4,812,500 at the Bonhams Scottsdale 2017 sale.
1956 Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta
Ferrari will not be the only Italian marque with multimillion-dollar cars on offer at the Pebble Beach 2017 auction. A 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta is expected to sell for between $4,000,000 and $5,000,000.
This 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta with coachwork by Zagato was the last of only 21 built. It was sold new in San Francisco and raced in period in California. It is presented in its original color scheme with the original engine.
RM Sotheby’s sold a Maserati A6G/54 for $2,365,000 at Amelia Island 2017 and as is often the case with classic cars after a strong result, several similar cars are rushed to market. In addition to the Maserati offered by Gooding, Bonhams is also expected to sell a Gran Sport Spider by Frua at Quail Lodge.
Top Ferraris at Gooding Pebble Beach 2017
In addition to the 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C and 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet, a further seven Ferraris are expected to achieve million dollar results at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2017 auction.
The top result is likely to come from the 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari with an estimate of $3,300,000 to $3,900,000. Two LaFerraris sold during the Monterey Week 2016 but two further cars failed to achieve reserve margins at auctions earlier in 2017. The LaFerrari on offer is one of the 120 US specification cars and finished in Giallo Modena yellow over black. It has covered only 200 miles since new so more pre-owned than pre-driven. Early indications are that at least four LaFerraris will be on offer during Monterey week with Mecum having two and RM Sotheby’s one.
A more interesting Ferrari is the 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series I, estimate $3,00,000 to $3,800,000. Only 30 of these 4-cylinder 500 Mondial racing cars were ever built. The Ferrari on offer won the 1955 Ethiopian Grand Prix but its historic racing participation is more extensive than its in-period racing history.
Also worth keeping an eye on the 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Shooting Brake. It has a one-off Vignale coachwork best described as exotic. It is believed to have been the last Ferrari bodied by Vignale.
Mercedes Benz 300 SL Cars at Gooding Pebble Beach 2017
At least 25 Mercedes Benz 300 SLs were sold at public auctions in 2016 and the first half of 2017 with the highest result just shy of $1.5 million. Although 300 SL prices are generally weaker than two to three years ago, an increasing number are again coming to market and mostly achieving in excess of a million. It is not that long ago that Mercedes Benz 300 SL results of more than a million were the exception rather than the rule. These cars were produced and survived in far higher numbers than for example Ferraris from the same era.
Gooding alone will have four Mercedes Benz 300 SLs on offer at Pebble Beach 2017 with RM Sotheby’s and Bonhams expected to offer further examples. The two more interesting are the Gullwing and Roadster with the lower estimates. These two cars come from the same family that owned and used both from new. These cars are unrestored but in very well maintained condition – something that the market seemed to value more two years ago. Even so, it seems like come-buy-me estimates were given for this pair.
See more on these cars at the Pair of Mercedes Benz 300 SL Announcement.
The second Roadster with a higher estimate is one of only 27 roadsters originally fitted with Rudge Wheels according to the factory built sheet. This car is also an older restored vehicle in very well maintained condition.
The second gullwing similarly were fitted with factory Rudge Wheels and is in a authentically restored condition. Hagerty’s estimates Rudge Wheels on a 300 SL worth a $50,000 extra.
Top Porsches at Gooding Pebble Beach 2017
In addition to the Porsche 917K, a further four Porsches at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2017 sale have upper estimates above a million dollar. A 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort usually achieves in excess of a million and the car on offer is helped by low mileage of less than 8,200 km and an extensive service history.
More interesting are two further racing cars: the 1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS has a comprehensive West Coast SCCA and USRRC racing history while the 1994 Porsche 964 Carrera 3.8 RSR was one of only 51 built and the 1994 IMSA GT2 overall title winner. A 1994 Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 S Flachbau, one of 76 built, is expected to achieve just less than a million but some of these went over a million in the past year.
Other Top Cars on Offer at Gooding Pebble Beach 2017
Several further marques are likely to achieve in excess of a million dollar at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2017 classic car auction.
Three top Alfa Romeos will be on offer. The most-expensive one is certainly the least elegant but with an impressive racing history. The 1974 Alfa Rom Tipo 33 TT12 was a factory entry driven to victory by Derek Bell and Henri Pescarolo at Spa, Zeltweg and Watkins Glen in 1975.
The 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Series V Gran Sport is a multiple concourse winner and had a single-family owner for over 50 years. However, these pre-war Alfas are often a hard sell.
The 1937 Maserati 6CM is a highly original racing Voiturette. It was driven to victory by Rocco at Coppa Acerbo and Circuito di Campione d’Italia but failed to finish most other races it was entered into. Rocco also set the racing lap record at Targa Fioro before retiring with a burned valve.
The 1958 BMW 507 Series II cars were built in far lower numbers than the Mercedes Benz 300 SL but now, as then, are harder to sell. The over $2 million estimate is very much top end for the model.
The 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Cabriolet was the final Type 57 chassis produced – it was delivered and numbered only in 1941. The Bugatti has its original engine but the elegant Letourneur et Marchand body that originally belonged to a different chassis, was only fitted during the mid-1950s. Six Bugatti Type 75 chassis cars with a variety of coachworks were sold since 2016 with results ranging from a million dollar to just shy of $10 million.
The 1953 Fiat 8V Berlinetta Elaborata is one of only five built by Zagato. The Fiat 8Vs are beautiful cars but are often hard to sell.
The 2015 Mclaren P1 is another modern “classic” that reliably sold for around $2 million – at least four managed to in the last 18 months. This one is finished in ice silver over black and has covered only 1,800 miles. Several further P1s will be on offer during the Monterey Week 2017.
The only American car with a million-dollar estimate in the Gooding Pebble Beach 2017 sale is a 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra, titled as a Ford. The car has an in period SCCA racing history and is fully restored. Many further American models will be on offer for less including several pre-war Packards.
More Information on the Monterey Week Classic Car Auctions 2017
- Monterey Week – Updates on all Monterey week 2017 auctions
- Pebble Beach – Updates on Gooding auction announcements, previews and results
- Monterey – Updates on RM Sotheby’s auction announcements, previews and results
- Quail Lodge – Updates on Bonhams auction announcement, previews and results
