Mecum Monterey Daytime Auction reaches $47 million in sales

1933 Duesenberg Model J Roadster

(August 31, 2018) Mecum Auctions outdid itself again with a 38-percent increase in total sales at its 10th annual Daytime Auction held in Monterey, Calif. With quality, rarity and diversity punctuating the vast Mecum lineup, the 2018 auction hurdled past last year’s totals as overall sales reached an impressive $47 million and marked the anniversary event as the highest-grossing Monterey auction in Mecum’s 10 years on the peninsula.

In all, 394 exceptional autos changed hands in just three days, Aug. 23-25, and even individual sales prices reflected the strength of the auction’s stellar lineup.

Including everything from prewar luxury motorcars to racing legends and modern hypercars, top sales at the Daytime Auction fittingly represent the astonishing cross-section of multimillion-dollar investment-grade autos offered throughout the three-day event.

The auction’s top seller was a 1933 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe Disappearing Top Roadster that sold for $3.85 million, while the second top slot was claimed by a 307-mile 2014 hybrid-drive Ferrari LaFerrari that brought $3.19 million. The auction’s diverse lineup was further highlighted by the sales of a 2003 Ferrari Enzo that brought $2.86 million and a 1989 Porsche 962  that sold for $2.2 million.

2003 Ferrari Enzo

Another Duesenberg to land among top sales was the 1929 Model J Convertible Sedan of the headlining Academy of Art University Collection. The car brought a $1.155 million sale, taking the prestigious school’s entire seven-car offering to $2.82 million overall as all vehicles in the group hammered sold.

Unique sales that drew substantial attention from the public included the $1.127 million sale of the Indy 500-winning 2012 Dallara DW12 Honda Indy Car. The car was offered with an unusual engine lease agreement that will allow the new owner to take possession of the car’s race-winning powerplant — something that is virtually unheard of in the world of factory-sponsored racing.

The 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort offered on Friday was another vehicle that became an attraction unto itself, and its sale at $467,500 demonstrated that its unbridled potential was unquestionably evident. The 1985 Modena GT Spyder California featured in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” demanded serious attention as well, and heated bidding brought its final selling price to $407,000.

The complete top 10 collector-car sales at the Mecum Monterey 2018 auction include:

    1933 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe Disappearing Top Roadster at $3,850,000
    2014 Ferrari LaFerrari at $3,190,000
    2003 Ferrari Enzo at $2,860,000
    1989 Porsche 962 at $2,200,000
    1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S at $1,155,000
    1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan at $1,155,000
    2012 Dallara DW12 Honda Indy Car (Lot S90) at $1,127,500
    1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster at $1,072,500
    2017 Ferrari F12tdf at $1,045,000
    1936 Auburn 852 SC Boattail Speedster at $1,017,500