Nobody had expected classic car prices to start tumbling at Pebble Beach, but the fact that they are continuing to rise like this is still a surprise for some market observers. However, if you take a closer look, you will also recognize a certain resistance to overly high expectations.
Very good sales result
Gooding sold 107 vehicles (or 88%) over two evenings on the Pebble Beach weekend of August 16/17, 2014, with purchase prices totaling USD 106 million (€ 79.5 million, CHF 90 million) including commission. On average, each car sold at 108% of the median estimate, i.e. slightly more expensive than expected.
Surprisingly expensive classics
On the very first evening, one car surprised with a truly unexpectedly high closing price. The early Lamborghini Countach LP400 from 1974 was worth USD 1.87 million (€ 1.402 million, CHF 1.702 million) to one bidder, almost three times as much as the estimate. This is probably a new record for a Countach and even good Miuras fall by the wayside at this price level.
This also laid the foundation for the outstanding performance of the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider , which fetched an impressive USD 15.2 million (€ 11.39 million, CHF 13.81 million) and thus just exceeded expectations.
The 1955 Aston Martin DB3 S also lived up to Gooding's hopes and found its way into a new "stable" for USD 5.5 million (€ 4.125 million, CHF 5.005 million).
The fact that prices for Porsche 959s are on the rise could be seen from the 1.485 million American dollars (€ 1.114 million, CHF 1.351 million) paid for a 1988 comfort model.
Cars that were previously seen with rather modest prices were also appreciated. The Mazda Cosmo 110 Sport with a Wankel engine from 1967, for example, fetched USD 264,000 (€ 198,000, CHF 240,240) and thus landed at the price level at which a Toyota 2000 GT could be bought two or three years ago. The latter, however, now costs USD 1.155 million (€ 866,250, CHF 1.051 million) at Gooding and has thus long since disappeared into the barely affordable zone.
The Ferrari F40 is also on the rise, with the 1990 model reaching USD 1.32 million (€ 990,000 or CHF 1.201 million), and it's almost easy to forget that just three or four years ago, USD 400,000 was enough to buy a beautiful F40.
Once again, despite already high expectations, a Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser was even more successful, selling for USD 137,500, twice as much as estimated. Also expensive was a 1967 VW Camper van, which was worth USD 99,000 (€ 74,250 or CHF 90,090) to one fan.
No interest, prices too high?
The fact that buyers are obviously not prepared to pay any price for a classic car of their dreams can be seen from the expensive vehicles sent into the race with high estimates (and probably also minimum prices).
The McLaren F1 from 1995 did not find a new owner, nor did the Shelby Cobra 289 from 1964, the BMW 328, the Delahaye 135 MS from 1948, two (!) Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwings and the eagerly awaited Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale Tre Posti from 1966, whose estimated price had only been revealed behind closed doors.
The fact that the 1966 Porsche 911, for which an estimate of USD 400,000 to 500,000 had been made in advance, was left standing is almost symbolic.
Although a few vehicles were sold, they fell well short of the estimated price, including a 1959 Volvo PV544, a 1939 Alfa Romeo Tipo 256 Cabriolet Sportivo and a 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS Spider. However, it would be wrong to draw a trend from this.
Tough conclusion
The last bid, a Mini Cooper S from 1968, showed that the bidders had also become somewhat tired after the two-day auction marathon (with around 10 hours of bidding wars). Although there was a lot of interest in the Mini from England, it was rather slow going.
"Do you have one already?" the auctioneer asked the bidder when he didn't really want to move on. In the end, the hammer fell at USD 42,000, still just above the estimate.
Results in detail
The following list shows all vehicles offered at the Pebble Beach Auction 2014 with the lower/upper estimates in USD and the sales prices in USD, Euro and CHF. The conversion was carried out using daily exchange rates (1 USD = 0.75 Euro, 1 USD = 0.91 CHF).
The "Status" column indicates unsold vehicles ("not sold") and offers without a minimum price ("without MVP").
In the "%Est" column, the sales price is compared with the average estimated value. As always, all information is subject to change.
| Lot | Vehicle | Year | Est $ from | Est $ to | VPrice $ | VPrice € | CPrice CHF | % Est | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Austin-Healey 3000 Mk II BN7 | 1962 | 150000 | 180000 | 203500 | 152625 | 185185 | 1.23 | without MVP |
| 002 | Mercedes-Benz 190 SL | 1960 | 200000 | 240000 | 209000 | 156750 | 190190 | 0.95 | without MVP |
| 003 | Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider | 1958 | 80000 | 100000 | 59400 | 44550 | 54054 | 0.66 | without MVP |
| 004 | Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 | 1964 | 250000 | 350000 | 242000 | 181500 | 220220 | 0.81 | |
| 005 | Porsche 911 2.2 S | 1971 | 175000 | 225000 | 170500 | 127875 | 155155 | 0.85 | without MVP |
| 006 | Shelby 289 Cobra | 1964 | 900000 | 1200000 | not sold | ||||
| 007 | Mercedes-Benz 280 SL | 1971 | 60000 | 80000 | 82500 | 61875 | 75075 | 1.18 | without MVP |
| 008 | Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix | 1927 | 600000 | 800000 | 660000 | 495000 | 600600 | 0.94 | |
| 009 | Porsche 356 A Speedster | 1958 | 350000 | 450000 | 415250 | 311438 | 377878 | 1.04 | |
| 010 | Ferrari Dino 246 GTS | 1974 | 425000 | 500000 | 440000 | 330000 | 400400 | 0.95 | |
| 011 | Lamborghini Countach LP400 Periscopo | 1974 | 600000 | 800000 | 1870000 | 1402500 | 1701700 | 2.67 | |
| 012 | Mercer Series 5 Raceabout | 1920 | 300000 | 400000 | 308000 | 231000 | 280280 | 0.88 | |
| 013 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 1957 | 1400000 | 1700000 | 1705000 | 1278750 | 1551550 | 1.1 | |
| 014 | Lancia Aurelia B20 GT | 1951 | 225000 | 275000 | 192500 | 144375 | 175175 | 0.77 | |
| 015 | Porsche 964 Speedster | 1994 | 200000 | 250000 | 181500 | 136125 | 165165 | 0.81 | without MVP |
| 016 | Pierce-Arrow Model 38 Four-Passenger Touring | 1916 | 200000 | 240000 | 170500 | 127875 | 155155 | 0.78 | |
| 017 | Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-Litre Roadster | 1966 | 190000 | 220000 | 209000 | 156750 | 190190 | 1.02 | without MVP |
| 018 | Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider | 1961 | 13000000 | 15000000 | 15180000 | 11385000 | 13813800 | 1.08 | |
| 019 | Lamborghini Jarama 400GT | 1972 | 175000 | 225000 | 176000 | 132000 | 160160 | 0.88 | without MVP |
| 020 | Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ | 1965 | 1250000 | 1500000 | 1023000 | 767250 | 930930 | 0.74 | |
| 021 | Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster | 1925 | 400000 | 500000 | 550000 | 412500 | 500500 | 1.22 | |
| 022 | Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America | 1956 | 900000 | 1100000 | 880000 | 660000 | 800800 | 0.88 | |
| 023 | Lancia Dilambda Torpedo Sport | 1932 | 450000 | 550000 | 715000 | 536250 | 650650 | 1.43 | |
| 024 | Ferrari F40 | 1990 | 1200000 | 1400000 | 1320000 | 990000 | 1201200 | 1.02 | |
| 025 | Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale | 1966 | 140000 | 180000 | 198000 | 148500 | 180180 | 1.24 | without MVP |
| 026 | Ferrari 250 Europa GT | 1956 | 2500000 | 3000000 | 2310000 | 1732500 | 2102100 | 0.84 | |
| 027 | Ford Deluxe Station Wagon | 1936 | 80000 | 100000 | 99000 | 74250 | 90090 | 1.1 | without MVP |
| 028 | Pegaso Z-102 Cabriolet | 1954 | 900000 | 1400000 | 990000 | 742500 | 900900 | 0.86 | |
| 029 | Ferrari 365 GTC | 1969 | 700000 | 850000 | 858000 | 643500 | 780780 | 1.11 | |
| 030 | Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 RS | 1974 | 900000 | 1200000 | 1001000 | 750750 | 910910 | 0.95 | |
| 031 | Kurtis 500S | 1954 | 175000 | 225000 | 170500 | 127875 | 155155 | 0.85 | without MVP |
| 032 | Aston Martin DB3S | 1955 | 5000000 | 7000000 | 5500000 | 4125000 | 5005000 | 0.92 | |
| 033 | Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona | 1971 | 675000 | 750000 | 627000 | 470250 | 570570 | 0.88 | |
| 034 | BMW 328 | 1938 | 1200000 | 1400000 | not sold | ||||
| 035 | Porsche 959 Comfort | 1988 | 900000 | 1100000 | 1485000 | 1113750 | 1351350 | 1.49 | |
| 036 | Toyota 2000 GT | 1967 | 1000000 | 1300000 | 1155000 | 866250 | 1051050 | 1 | |
| 037 | Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 | 1969 | 135000 | 175000 | 156750 | 117563 | 142643 | 1.01 | without MVP |
| 038 | BMW 507 Series II | 1958 | 2300000 | 2800000 | 1925000 | 1443750 | 1751750 | 0.75 | |
| 039 | Mazda Cosmo 110 Sport | 1967 | 200000 | 250000 | 264000 | 198000 | 240240 | 1.17 | |
| 040 | Maserati Sebring Series II | 1966 | 225000 | 275000 | 231000 | 173250 | 210210 | 0.92 | without MVP |
| 041 | Porsche 911 2.4 S | 1973 | 275000 | 350000 | 330000 | 247500 | 300300 | 1.06 | |
| 042 | Lamborghini 350GT | 1967 | 625000 | 750000 | 616000 | 462000 | 560560 | 0.9 | |
| 043 | Jaguar XK120 Fixed Head Coupe | 1953 | 130000 | 160000 | 121000 | 90750 | 110110 | 0.83 | without MVP |
| 044 | McLaren F1 | 1995 | 12000000 | 14000000 | not sold | ||||
| 045 | Ferrari 365 GTC/4 | 1972 | 275000 | 350000 | 319000 | 239250 | 290290 | 1.02 | without MVP |
| 046 | Delahaye 135 MS Three-Position Cabriolet | 1948 | 650000 | 850000 | not sold | ||||
| 047 | Buick Caballero Estate Wagon | 1957 | 100000 | 125000 | 280000 | 210000 | 254800 | 2.49 | without MVP |
| 048 | Ferrari 330 GTC | 1967 | 650000 | 750000 | 687500 | 515625 | 625625 | 0.98 | |
| 049 | Tucker 48 | 1948 | 1300000 | 1700000 | 2035000 | 1526250 | 1851850 | 1.36 | |
| 050 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 1954 | 3500000 | 4500000 | not sold | ||||
| 051 | Aston Martin DB Mk III Drophead Coupe | 1958 | 700000 | 850000 | 1012000 | 759000 | 920920 | 1.31 | |
| 052 | BMW i8 Concours dElegance Edition | 2014 | 150000 | 200000 | 825000 | 618750 | 750750 | 4.71 | without MVP |
| 054 | Rolls-Royce Phantom I Newmarket | 1930 | 175000 | 225000 | 198000 | 148500 | 180180 | 0.99 | without MVP |
| 055 | Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Speciale | 1966 | 400000 | 600000 | not sold | ||||
| 056 | Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS Spider | 1929 | 1400000 | 1900000 | 836000 | 627000 | 760760 | 0.51 | without MVP |
| 057 | Porsche 911 T/R | 1968 | 400000 | 600000 | 440000 | 330000 | 400400 | 0.88 | |
| 058 | Ferrari 333 SP | 2001 | 1750000 | 2250000 | 2365000 | 1773750 | 2152150 | 1.18 | |
| 059 | Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Coupe | 1955 | 700000 | 850000 | 1012000 | 759000 | 920920 | 1.31 | without MVP |
| 060 | Ferrari 250 GT Lusso | 1964 | on request | 2365000 | 1773750 | 2152150 | |||
| 061 | Mercedes-Benz 280 SL | 1968 | 120000 | 140000 | 99000 | 74250 | 90090 | 0.76 | without MVP |
| 062 | Ferrari 250 GT Series II Convertible | 1960 | 1800000 | 2200000 | 2090000 | 1567500 | 1901900 | 1.05 | |
| 063 | Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT Veloce | 1968 | 60000 | 80000 | 93500 | 70125 | 85085 | 1.34 | without MVP |
| 064 | Porsche 911 | 1965 | 450000 | 550000 | 407000 | 305250 | 370370 | 0.81 | |
| 065 | AC Aceca Bristol | 1959 | 175000 | 250000 | 275000 | 206250 | 250250 | 1.29 | without MVP |
| 066 | Fiat 600 Jolly | 1959 | 75000 | 95000 | 82500 | 61875 | 75075 | 0.97 | without MVP |
| 101 | Renault 6CV | 1924 | 35000 | 45000 | 41800 | 31350 | 38038 | 1.05 | without MVP |
| 102 | Jaguar XK150 SE 3.8-Litre Fixed Head Coupe | 1960 | 125000 | 150000 | 137500 | 103125 | 125125 | 1 | without MVP |
| 103 | Lamborghini 400GT | 1966 | 575000 | 650000 | 869000 | 651750 | 790790 | 1.42 | |
| 104 | Volkswagen Type 2 Camper | 1967 | 70000 | 90000 | 99000 | 74250 | 90090 | 1.24 | without MVP |
| 105 | Porsche 356 Speedster | 1955 | 350000 | 450000 | 280000 | 210000 | 254800 | 0.7 | |
| 106 | Mercedes-Benz 280 SL | 1971 | 130000 | 160000 | 126500 | 94875 | 115115 | 0.87 | without MVP |
| 107 | Ferrari Dino 206 GT | 1968 | 600000 | 700000 | 748000 | 561000 | 680680 | 1.15 | |
| 108 | Maserati 3500 GT | 1963 | 150000 | 200000 | 154000 | 115500 | 140140 | 0.88 | without MVP |
| 109 | Ferrari 330 GTC | 1968 | 600000 | 700000 | 682000 | 511500 | 620620 | 1.05 | |
| 110 | Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America | 1955 | 1500000 | 1800000 | 1347500 | 1010625 | 1226225 | 0.82 | |
| 111 | Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS | 1970 | 250000 | 300000 | 264000 | 198000 | 240240 | 0.96 | without MVP |
| 112 | Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Roadster | 1961 | 300000 | 400000 | 528000 | 396000 | 480480 | 1.51 | |
| 113 | Ferrari 275 GTB Long Nose Alloy | 1965 | 3750000 | 4250000 | 4620000 | 3465000 | 4204200 | 1.16 | |
| 114 | Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Playboy Roadster | 1926 | 250000 | 350000 | 264000 | 198000 | 240240 | 0.88 | without MVP |
| 115 | Maserati 250F | 1956 | 4000000 | 6000000 | 4620000 | 3465000 | 4204200 | 0.92 | |
| 116 | Porsche 356 A Super Coupe | 1959 | 120000 | 150000 | 137500 | 103125 | 125125 | 1.02 | without MVP |
| 117 | Shelby 260 Cobra | 1962 | 2000000 | 2400000 | not sold | ||||
| 118 | Dual-Ghia | 1958 | 375000 | 450000 | 484000 | 363000 | 440440 | 1.17 | |
| 119 | Jaguar XK120 Roadster | 1952 | 225000 | 275000 | 181500 | 136125 | 165165 | 0.73 | without MVP |
| 120 | Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta | 1962 | on request | not sold | |||||
| 121 | Packard Model 30 Seven-Passenger Touring | 1912 | 400000 | 500000 | 550000 | 412500 | 500500 | 1.22 | without MVP |
| 122 | Packard Twelve Model 1608 All-Weather Convertible | 1938 | 225000 | 300000 | 440000 | 330000 | 400400 | 1.68 | without MVP |
| 123 | Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale Tre Posti | 1966 | on request | not sold | |||||
| 124 | Autobianchi Bianchina Trasformabile | 1961 | 65000 | 85000 | 104500 | 78375 | 95095 | 1.39 | without MVP |
| 125 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 1956 | 1400000 | 1800000 | not sold | ||||
| 126 | Porsche 911 2.0 L | 1968 | 90000 | 120000 | 104500 | 78375 | 95095 | 1 | without MVP |
| 127 | Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione | 1969 | 5500000 | 7000000 | not sold | ||||
| 128 | Volvo PV544 | 1959 | 40000 | 50000 | 29700 | 22275 | 27027 | 0.66 | without MVP |
| 129 | Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan | 1929 | 1350000 | 1750000 | not sold | ||||
| 130 | Aston Martin DB5 | 1964 | 1200000 | 1500000 | 1485000 | 1113750 | 1351350 | 1.1 | |
| 131 | Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix | 1927 | 2800000 | 3500000 | 2970000 | 2227500 | 2702700 | 0.94 | |
| 132 | Porsche 911 R/T | 1971 | 140000 | 180000 | 143000 | 107250 | 130130 | 0.89 | without MVP |
| 133 | Ferrari 250 GT Series I Convertible | 1959 | 4500000 | 6000000 | 5610000 | 4207500 | 5105100 | 1.07 | |
| 134 | MG TD | 1953 | 30000 | 40000 | 46200 | 34650 | 42042 | 1.32 | without MVP |
| 135 | Porsche 356 Carrera 2 | 1963 | 525000 | 625000 | 517000 | 387750 | 470470 | 0.9 | |
| 136 | Ferrari 275 GTS | 1965 | 1750000 | 2000000 | not sold | ||||
| 137 | Jaguar XK120 M Fixed Head Coupe | 1953 | 110000 | 140000 | 99000 | 74250 | 90090 | 0.79 | without MVP |
| 138 | Auburn 852 SC Boattail Speedster | 1936 | 600000 | 700000 | 1210000 | 907500 | 1101100 | 1.86 | |
| 139 | Ford GT40 Mk 1 | 1967 | 3500000 | 4000000 | 3520000 | 2640000 | 3203200 | 0.94 | |
| 140 | Packard 640 Convertible Coupe | 1929 | 200000 | 250000 | 220000 | 165000 | 200200 | 0.98 | |
| 141 | Ferrari 250 GT Lusso | 1964 | 1750000 | 2500000 | 2200000 | 1650000 | 2002000 | 1.04 | |
| 142 | MG F-Type Magna Tourer | 1932 | 180000 | 240000 | 132000 | 99000 | 120120 | 0.63 | without MVP |
| 143 | Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS | 1949 | 550000 | 750000 | 539000 | 404250 | 490490 | 0.83 | |
| 144 | Alfa Romeo Tipo 256 Cabriolet Sportivo | 1939 | 5000000 | 7000000 | 4000000 | 3000000 | 3640000 | 0.67 | |
| 145 | Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B Mille Miglia | 1938 | 2000000 | 3000000 | not sold | ||||
| 146 | Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 | 1964 | 220000 | 260000 | 319000 | 239250 | 290290 | 1.33 | without MVP |
| 147 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 1963 | 1300000 | 1500000 | 1512500 | 1134375 | 1376375 | 1.08 | |
| 148 | Brabham-Repco BT24 | 1967 | 1200000 | 1500000 | 1050000 | 787500 | 955500 | 0.78 | |
| 149 | Mercedes-Benz 190 SL | 1956 | 200000 | 250000 | 165000 | 123750 | 150150 | 0.73 | without MVP |
| 150 | Shelby 289 Cobra | 1965 | 800000 | 1000000 | 847000 | 635250 | 770770 | 0.94 | |
| 151 | Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Roadster | 1964 | 190000 | 220000 | 247500 | 185625 | 225225 | 1.21 | without MVP |
| 152 | AAR/Toyota Eagle Mk III GTP | 1992 | 700000 | 1000000 | 1045000 | 783750 | 950950 | 1.23 | |
| 153 | Porsche 911 | 1966 | 400000 | 500000 | not sold | ||||
| 154 | Aston Martin DB2 | 1951 | 350000 | 450000 | 319000 | 239250 | 290290 | 0.8 | |
| 155 | Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser | 1980 | 65000 | 85000 | 137500 | 103125 | 125125 | 1.83 | without MVP |
| 156 | Porsche 356 Super Speedster | 1955 | 400000 | 500000 | 390500 | 292875 | 355355 | 0.87 | |
| 157 | Morris Mini Cooper S | 1968 | 40000 | 50000 | 46200 | 34650 | 42042 | 1.03 | without MVP |
