Monterey Car Week has long been the proving ground for market-defining auctions, but 2025 will be remembered as one of the most significant milestones yet. RM Sotheby’s, the world’s premier collector car auction house, closed its 28th annual Monterey sale with more than $165 million in total sales, a staggering figure that underscores both the strength and evolving tastes of the global collector market.
The headline belonged to a one-of-one Ferrari Daytona SP3 “Tailor Made”, which hammered at an astonishing $26 million. Not only did this sale establish the Daytona SP3 as the most valuable new car ever sold at auction, but the proceeds were directed to The Ferrari Foundation, further elevating the moment beyond automotive circles. Its distinctive exposed carbon-fiber finish, bold Giallo Modena livery, and sustainable Q-Cycle interior made it a fitting symbol of Ferrari’s fusion of performance, rarity, and progressive design.
Ferrari’s dominance at Monterey was absolute. The brand secured the top three spots in sales, with a 1993 Ferrari F40 LM by Michelotto commanding $11 million and a rare 1995 Ferrari F50, once part of Ralph Lauren’s collection, achieving over $9.2 million. Meanwhile, a 2017 LaFerrari Aperta—one of just 210 examples—fetched more than $6.7 million, its rarity and mileage making it a centerpiece for collectors chasing modern icons.
Pre-war classics also made their mark, proving that the allure of early 20th-century craftsmanship remains timeless. A 1935 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton by Walker-LaGrande achieved $4.4 million, while a 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster soared to over $5.3 million, reinforcing the enduring prestige of European and American grand classics among seasoned collectors.
German performance cars added to the excitement, reflecting a rising appetite for modern engineering icons. A lightweight 1989 RUF CTR “Yellowbird” reached $4.3 million, establishing the tuner legend as a blue-chip collectible, while a 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 set a new record at just over $1 million. These results confirm a trend: younger generations of collectors are increasingly gravitating toward analog-era performance machines that defined late 20th-century driving purity.
Fresh-to-market examples played an equally crucial role in driving premiums. A delivery-mileage 1990 Ferrari F40—a “non-cat, non-adjust” car never before publicly offered—achieved nearly $3.9 million. Meanwhile, Ralph Lauren’s Ferrari F50 stood out not only for its provenance but for its originality, a key factor in today’s discerning collector market where authenticity commands extraordinary value.
In total, 12 world records fell across the two-day sale, ranging from a Volkswagen Beetle limousine to ultra-rare Ferraris, underscoring Monterey’s reputation as the epicenter of auction benchmarks. The atmosphere was as much about momentum as it was about money: bidders from 46 countries pushed results skyward, reaffirming the global reach of the collector car world.
For RM Sotheby’s, the success speaks to the power of bringing together the right cars at the right time. “Monterey has always been a stage for historic results, and this year will be remembered as one of the finest,” said Gord Duff, President of RM Sotheby’s. “We brought cars the market truly wanted, and the results speak for themselves.”
As the gavel fell on the weekend’s final lot, one theme emerged clearly: Monterey is not merely an auction, but a cultural barometer of automotive desire. With Ferrari leading the charge, classics holding their ground, and modern performance cars gaining unprecedented recognition, RM Sotheby’s 2025 sale has redefined the landscape of what collectors value most—and set a benchmark that will ripple across the global market for years to come.
