Growing demand in high-level classic cars among new collectors and emerging markets is claimed.
The official auctioneer of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance sold more than $113.7 million at the Pebble Beach Auctions on August 18 and 19. Twenty-four collector cars sold in excess of $1 million each, led by what was called the von Krieger Special Roadster, a 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K, which sold for $11,770,000 on Sunday night, a claimed world record for a Mercedes-Benz as well as a pre-war car at auction.
The previous evening, a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider sold for $11,275,000, realizing a world record for a Ferrari California Spider, according to car mongers Gooding & Company.
Ferrari was a big part of the weekend with eight models between 1953–1962 selling above $2 million each. A significant offering for enthusiasts, the Sherman M. Wolf Collection of four rare cars resulted in a total of $21.5 million in sales. Of that collection, the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione attracted the most money selling for $11,275,000, which was also the second most valuable car sold during Pebble Beach auction week. On Sunday, the 1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Prototype sold for $6.6 million.
On Saturday evening, Jay Leno surprised the audience by making a special guest appearance with Auctioneer Charlie Ross on stage and auctioning his personal 2012 Fiat 500 Prima Edizione to benefit the Fisher House Foundation.
“Our record-breaking results and this year’s unprecedented international interest in our auction clearly demonstrate the growing demand in high-level classic cars among new collectors and emerging markets,” claimed David Gooding, President and Founder.
( See: Elite or Street – Woodward Dream Cruise and Pebble Beach Concours)
