McLaren F1 GTR - $34.7m

One of the featured lots at RM Sotheby’s 2026 Monterey Car Week auction August 15, was this 1996 McLaren F1 GTR, known as the 'Pop Art F1'. One of 9 built, the one-off graphics isn't what makes the estimate $35m. The GTR was the race-ready version of the F1 developed at the behest of customers and in contravention of Murray’s vision of the F1 as a pure road car. Relatively minor changes, including carbon-ceramic brakes, a fixed rear wing, and general light-weighting, were enough to nab the 1995 Le Mans win.

This car was sold to Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, who had it maintained by F1 specialist firm Lanzante. The company’s stewardship includes regular maintenance throughout Mason’s ownership and a full restoration completed in 2009. The car hammered for $34.7 million, setting a record as the most expensive McLaren and British car ever sold at auction.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - $500k high bid

Behold a Bloomington Gold Certified, NCRS Top Flight Award, MCACN Triple Diamond Certified 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. A split window big brake fuelie, among the most desirable Corvettes on earth. 1 of only 199 produced with RPO Z06 Special Performance Equipment. Comprehensive restoration completed by Shaun Goodwin. Matching numbers fuel-injected 327/360 HP V-8 engine. 4-speed manual transmission. Z06 Special Performance equipment option with special heavy-duty metallic power brakes with cooling fins and dual circuit master cylinder and special heavy-duty suspension including shocks, springs and sway bar.

Nifty corvette failed to change hands on a high bid of $500k. That would have been a bargain. Estimate was $650k to $750k at Mecum.

1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda - $250k high bid

2,426 miles. Cowl and door tags intact and matching. Matching-numbers 426 CI Hemi V-8 engine. Matching-numbers column-shift automatic transmission. In Violet Metallic exterior. Original Shaker hood. Scored 90.25/100 at the Mopar Nationals. 1st Place E-body National Winner in 1996. Featured in the January 1996 issue of Mopar Muscle. Original owner’s manual. Original warranty card and certificate. Chrysler Registry Report. Drag raced to the 1980s, this 1970 Plymouth Cuda retains its numbers-matching 426 Hemi V8 engine.

For the 1970 model year, Plymouth built 666 Hemi hardtops and 14 convertibles. Among the hardtops, just 368 rolled out with the heavy duty automatic transmission. While the base coupe cost a significant $3,164, adding the 426 Hemi required an extra $871.45. That massive surcharge mandated heavy suspension upgrades and specialized cooling components. Muscle car royalty, the car crosses the block with an estimate of $340k to $360k at Mecum.

1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe - $42.9m

Behold the most expensive American car.

Billed to Shelby American in November 1963, CSX2300 was the third of six Daytona Coupes completed and the only one owned by Carrol Shelby. Prepared in Venice, California, it was shipped to Italy, where Carrozzeria Grandsport in Modena fabricated its lightweight aluminum body. The estimate is $25m at Gooding & Christie’s 22nd annual Pebble Beach Auctions. A sale at this price will set a new marque record and make the Cobra Daytona the most expensive American car. Currently, the most expensive Shelby is the 1962 Shelby 260 Cobra CSX 2000 which sold for $13.7m at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2016.

Carroll Shelby owned CSX2300 from 1975 to 1998. He entrusted Cobra specialist Mike McCluskey of Torrance, California with a comprehensive restoration to return the car to its 1965 specifications. The car underwent another meticulous restoration in 2000. The most expensive American car ever sold at public auction is the 1935 Duesenberg SSJ of Cary Grant, which sold for $22m at Gooding Pebble Beach 2018. This car is expected to surpass that.

2003 Ferrari Enzo - squared

13,200 miles in U.S. spec. Estimate is $9m - $11m at Broad Arrow.

Odometer reads 589 miles. Rosso Corsa with Nero leather interior. The car hammered for $12.1m at Mecum.

2017 Ferrari F12tdf - $3.6m

The 2017 Ferrari F12tdf is a rapidly rising modern Ferrari classic. 1 of 799 produced. 6.3L/769 HP V-12 engine. Carbon fiber engine cover. Rated at 519 lb-ft of torque. 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Paddle shifters. Giallo Triplo Strato exterior. Scuderia shields. Nero interior with Yellow stitching and accents. Alcantara dashboard. Carbon driving zone option. Carbon fiber and leather steering wheel. Manettino driving-mode selector. Engine start button. Progressive LED rev counter shift light display. Carbon racing with seats with Alcantara inner trim.

One may forget that $661k total invoice price. This car made $3.6m at Mecum.

2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach - $3.7m high bid

2,484 miles. 1 of 4 examples produced with a Guards Red exterior and the Weissach Package for the North American market. Electric all-wheel drive with e-boost and recuperation. 4.6L/887 HP DOHC V-8 engine with hybrid drive. Flat-plane crankshaft. Titanium connecting rods. Dry-sump lubrication system. Front and rear electric motors with parallel full hybrid assist. Rated at 944 lb-ft of torque. 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transaxle with hydraulic rear differential lock. Guards Red exterior. The track-focused Weissach option cuts about 90 to 100 pounds via magnesium wheels, carbon fiber aero elements, and titanium chassis bolts.

The 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach retailed for around $940k. That was money well invested as the car, depending on mileage, condition, and rare paint options, currently trades between $2.6m to $6m.

This example crosses the block at Mecum's Monterey 2026. The flagship auto auction started yesterday and will set the trend for many high end collectible cars.