Highlights of the flagship Monterey Car Week auctionMonterey Car Week is upon us for 2026 and, among the many concours shows and new vehicle debuts, the auction remains one of the event highlights. The RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction, being held at the Monterey Conference Center, is arguably the most prestigious auction taking place as part of Car Week, with 199 lots in a packed catalog. One of the cars listed for sale is a truly unique example of the McLaren F1 GTR. There are also a number of rare Corvette race cars, plus the latest modern hypercars. Oh, and a rather controversial new Ferrari. Viewing for the RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction begins on Wednesday, August 12, with the sales themselves beginning on Thursday, August 13 2026. However, the cars likely to attract the biggest bids, many of which are featured here, will cross the auction block on Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15 2026. Join us for a look at the cars that could make it big in Monterey this week.1996 McLaren F1 GTRAs the first McLaren F1 built to GTR specification, chassis 10R was originally retained by the Woking factory. This included the addition of bold exterior graphics, helping to promote the BPR Global GT Series However, in 1999, it was purchased by Nick Mason, the renowned car collector and drummer for rock band Pink Floyd. Converted for road use by Lanzante, the F1 GTR has been a regular sight at automotive events across the globe. As one of only two short-tail F1 GTR prototypes produced, in addition to the iconic livery and storied ownership, this McLaren is expected to generate a huge amount of interest. Accordingly, it comes with a guide price in excess of $35 million.2014 McLaren P1 GT by LanzanteAnother car touched by the hands of McLaren specialists Lanzante, this P1 began life as a track-only GTR version. Inspired by the original 1997 McLaren F1 GT Longtail, Lanzante designed bespoke bodywork for the four examples of the P1 GT it produced. The hybrid-assisted 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-8 was left unaltered, although with 903 horsepower it was hardly in need of extra performance. Making the P1 GT easier to live with than its counterpart from the 1990s are air conditioning, power windows, padded seats and an infotainment system. Despite all this, the black-over-black P1 GT up for auction has been driven for just 946 miles. This means a pre-auction estimate of between $3 million and $4 million.2021 McLaren ElvaTaking the prize for being the lightest street-legal car ever made by the McLaren marque, the Elva is as effective as it is beautiful. Taking its place as the fifth car in McLaren’s Ultimate Series, 149 examples of the Elva were produced, with the open-top design contributing to a curb weight of only 2,798 pounds. Combined with an 804 horsepower mid-mounted 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8, performance was suitably rapid, with 0-60 mph requiring 2.8 seconds. Brave the elements and a top speed of 203 mph is possible. Purchased from McLaren Beverly Hills, more than $125,000 was spent on options, including $84,000 on the McLaren M1A-inspired livery alone. It could sell for between $1.2 million and $1.5 million.1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand SportThis year has seen Chevrolet launch the Grand Sport version of the C8 Corvette. However, the RM Sotheby’s sale offers the chance to one of the five original C2-based Corvette Grand Sports, and one of only three to use the Sting Ray coupe bodystyle. Essentially a prototype racer with only a passing resemblance to the production Sting Ray, Zora Arkus-Duntov transformed almost every part of the Corvette to create the Grand Sport. This included a tubular chassis that slashed the curb weight to just 1,900 pounds, making the big 600 horsepower V-8 engine even more effective. Chassis 003 was campaigned extensively in SCCA competitions, and claimed two class podiums at the Sebring 12 Hours race. Bought by its current owner in 2003, the Grand Sport was treated to a four-year restoration at a cost of more than $1 million. This seems to have been a worthwhile investment, with one of the most important American racing cars given a guide price of between $11 million and $13 million.1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray L88Chevrolet only made 116 L88-powered Corvettes for the 1969 model year, but this example is even more special. Known as the “V.V. Cooke Corvette”, the roadster is claimed to be the “most winningest” example of the car ever built. Following an entry into the 1970 24 Hours of Daytona, the L88 roadster claimed four consecutive SCCA B-Production National Championships, and at least 29 SCCA race victories. Acquired by the vendor in 2001, some 900 hours were spent returning the roadster to how it looked during its famous V.V. Cooke Corvette era. Given the incredible race-winning history behind this car, a guide price of $600,000 to $800,000 seems reasonable value.1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 RED NART Le MansLuigi Chinetti’s North American Racing Team (NART) was famous for its Ferrari competition cars, so how did it end up backing a Chevrolet Corvette in the 1972 24 Hours of Le Mans? Built by the Florida-based RED team, which had won the 1971 IMSA Championship, an entry for Le Mans was denied. This was blamed on the politics of the Corvette being too powerful, and its drivers unknown. Enter Chinetti, who agreed to give the Corvette his fourth entry for Le Mans, providing it raced in the NART livery used by his Ferraris. Despite a challenging Le Mans beset with crashes and even a fire, the Corvette made it home to take a class victory. With such an intriguing competition history, and being displayed at the National Corvette Museum, the pre-sale estimate of $900,000 to $1.1 million is easy to understand.1960 Chevrolet Corvette LMThe Chevrolet Corvette has enjoyed tremendous success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, having claimed 10 class victories in the French endurance race since 2001. However, the Corvette’s association with Le Mans began much earlier, with this being one of three C1 models entered into the 1960 edition of the race. Driven by Briggs Cunningham and Bill Kimberly, it was campaigned with the #1 race livery. Sadly, an accident early in the event would end this Corvette’s race, but one of its sister cars would finish in eighth position. Reacquired by the Cunningham family in 2021, a comprehensive restoration process saw the Corvette returned to how it looked at Le Mans in 1960. Bank on requiring between $2 million and $2.5 million for this original Le Mans racer.2024 Pagani Huayra Roadster ExecutorAlong with the ranks of classic racing legends, the RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction also includes countless examples of modern hypercars. Few are likely to be rarer than this Pagani Huayra, named the “Executor” after one of Darth Vader’s formidable Star Destroyer spaceships in the Star Wars franchise. It combines Huayra Roadster bodywork with a seven-speed manual transmission, plus an 846 horsepower 6.0-liter twin-turbo V-12. The exterior is finished in Ink Indaco Blu, with exposed carbon fiber bodywork, with Bianco Malta and Azzurro custom stripes. A deeper front splitter, and larger rear wing are bespoke, and the interior benefits from an exposed titanium shifter for the gearbox. Driven for only 53 miles from new, the guide price is a considerable $5 million to $7 million.2025 Czinger 21CDesigned and developed in Los Angeles, the Czinger 21C hypercar is revolutionary for its use of laser-metal printed components. The result is a lightweight but strong mid-engined layout with fighter jet-inspired tandem seating. Powering the 21C is a 2.88-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine, combined with three electric motors. This hybrid setup generates a combined 1,250 horsepower and means a 0-60 mph time of only 1.9 seconds. When set up for maximum speed, 253 mph is possible. Finished in Artemis Yellow, this example is in High Downforce specification, and is one of the first 21C models to be offered on the open market. With performance that borders on the surreal, the Czinger 21C comes with a pre-auction estimate of between $2.3 million and $2.5 million.2024 Aston Martin Valkyrie SpiderThe product of a partnership between Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing Advanced Technologies, the Valkyrie was conceived as being the closest thing possible to a street-legal Formula 1 car. Created solely from carbon fiber, a naturally aspirated 1,000 horsepower 6.5-liter Cosworth V-12 engine provides the power, aided by an F1-style hybrid system. This brought a further 140 horsepower to the party, and helped the Valkyrie set a new lap record around the Silverstone race circuit. Following production of 150 Valkyrie coupes, some 85 open-top Spiders were built, with this being the 49th example to be completed. Finished in Alumite Silver, red detailing extends across the bodywork and throughout the cabin. With barely more than delivery mileage recorded on the odometer, a guide price of $3.75 million to $4.25 million has been set.2023 Ferrari Daytona SP3The Daytona SP3 is the latest in Ferrari’s limited-run “Icona” series, paying homage to the classic 330 P4 race car. Production of the SP3 was capped at 599 units, plus an additional car sold for charity. Unlike many of the modern hypercars featured here, a non-hybrid engine is used for the Daytona SP3. The 6.5-liter V-12 is related to the unit found in the LaFerrari, and produces 829 horsepower for a 211 mph top speed. This example of the Daytona SP3 wears Giallo Triplo Strato paintwork, with Nero racing stripes and Italian flag motif on the outside. The black and yellow theme continues inside, with the cabin equipped with Apple CarPlay and parking cameras. With two previous owners, the Daytona SP3 has been driven for just 227 miles, which is reflected in an estimate between $10 million and $12 million.2026 Ferrari Luce Tailor MadeHas any car created as much controversy in the social media era as the Ferrari Luce? It seems unlikely, with the combination of electric power and styling from Jonny Ive’s LoveFrom studio, provoking plenty of rage across the internet. The RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction sees “Chassis 0”, the very first production Ferrari Luce, being offered for sale. All proceeds from the sale of the car will benefit the Ferrari Foundation, a recognized 501(c)(3) public charity, for educational initiatives. Ferrari’s Tailor Made department developed the exclusive Madreperla Semi-Gloss paint finish for this car. On the inside, Perla-colored Le Mans metallic leather is used for the upholstery, continuing the white theme. A value in excess of more than $1.1 million has been given for the Luce, suggesting you can put a price on controversy.1988 Cizeta-Moroder V16TShould the Ferrari Luce prove to be a step too far, there is another white Italian supercar listed in the RM Sotheby’s sale, that can also claim to be the first example made. This is the original prototype and show car of the Cizeta-Moroder V16T, displayed at the 1989 Los Angeles and Geneva Motor Shows. Even more significantly, it was owned by music producer and original Cizeta-Moroder investor, Giorgio Moroder until 2022. Moroder ended his involvement in the project after the creation of this first prototype, meaning it is the only V16T to wear Cizeta-Moroder badging. Accompanying the car will be a special one-of-one NFT developed by Giorgio Moroder, which includes a four-track EP. To own this unique Italian machine, expect to bid between $1.4 million and $1.8 million.1986 Audi 5000 CS Quattro Speed RecordAudi was known for its winning ability on the World Rally Stage during the 1980s. But the German company wanted to prove it could be fast on asphalt, too. This led to the creation of a unique 5000 CS sedan, powered by a 2.2-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine producing a huge 650 horsepower. Audi also lightened the car and fitted subtle aerodynamic enhancements to boost its maximum speed. With three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser at the wheel, the 5000 CS set a single-lap speed of 206.3 mph around the Talladega Superspeedway. Unser would go on to set a further 16 world speed records with the Audi. Family-owned since the 1980s, the record-setting 5000 CS has seen new paintwork applied, and its special engine rebuilt. A guide price of between $250,000 and $300,000 is set for this piece of automotive history.2013 Dallara DW12Although the previous Audi 5000 CS was fast, this Dallara DW12 was even faster, being driven by Tony Kanaan to win the 2013 Indianapolis 500 race. Kanaan set a speed of 187.4 mph across the gruelling 500-mile event: the fastest average speed for the legendary race at the time. Even today, it still stands as the second-fastest Indy 500 speed. Finished in the car’s final race Hydroxycut livery, the Dallara is supplied as a rolling chassis without its engine fitted. Even without a powertrain, this is a significant and valuable piece of IndyCar history. Accordingly, it comes with an estimate of $900,000 to $1.2 million.
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