Photos Courtesy of Gooding and Company
Gooding & Company Amelia Island 2025 Million Dollar Cars
Gooding and Company will hold their 2025 Amelia Island auction next weekend and are set to offer some stunning collector cars. A 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra with no reserve is definitely on our watch list, but Amelia Island demands the best so let’s look at a few of the best classic cars that will cross the block at Gooding and Company‘s 2025 Amelia Island auction.
Initially designed as a Group B rally car, the Porsche 959 was crafted under Helmuth Bott’s guidance with ambitions to advance speed, handling, and aerodynamics. Although rooted in racing, Porsche also developed a street-legal version, with the Komfort variant offering enhanced luxury and refinement. This vehicle set new standards for high-performance cars, introducing pioneering innovations that left a lasting influence on the automotive sector.
Central to the 959 Komfort was its 2.85L twin-turbocharged flat-six engine, borrowed from Porsche’s successful 956 and 962 race vehicles. Delivering massive horsepower along with an advanced all-wheel-drive system, it could sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and achieve a top speed of 197 mph—making it the fastest production car upon its debut. By employing sequential twin-turbocharging, Porsche eliminated turbo lag, while an innovative adaptive suspension balanced comfort and performance, making the car both incredibly fast and remarkably drivable.
In contrast to the Sport version, the Komfort model emphasized daily usability, featuring a luxurious leather interior, climate control, and power-adjustable seats—a level of opulence uncommon in extreme performance cars at the time. With only 292 units produced between 1986 and 1988, this version is now highly sought after by collectors. Due to U.S. regulations, the 959 initially couldn’t be driven legally on American roads, resulting in the “Show and Display” law, which later permitted limited imports.
The Porsche 959 Komfort significantly shaped the automotive landscape. Its technological advancements—including all-wheel drive, active aerodynamics, and sophisticated turbocharging—became common features in future high-performance vehicles. It inspired subsequent turbocharged models like those in the 911 series and laid groundwork for hypercars such as the Bugatti Veyron. To this day, the 959 stands out as one of the most groundbreaking supercars ever created, highlighting Porsche’s engineering prowess.
The example that will be offered by Gooding and Company at their 2025 Amelia Island auction was first owned by the Royal Family of Brunei. It’s one of only 31 finished in Graphite Metallic and is believed to have covered less than 2,000 miles since it was new. It includes manuals, a tool kit, its Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, and various other documentation.
Estimate: $2,000,000 – $2,500,000
The Lamborghini Miura P400 S marked a significant development from its predecessor, the original Miura P400. This car introduced the concept of the mid-engine supercar to the automotive world, a revolutionary idea at the time. Initially presented at the 1968 Turin Motor Show, the P400 S, also referred to as the Miura S, refined and enhanced the design and performance capabilities of the P400. Lamborghini implemented various improvements, including the use of higher-quality interior materials, electric windows, and chrome accents on the exterior, giving the vehicle a more luxurious feel. However, the most notable advancements were made under the hood, where subtle engineering modifications increased both power and driveability.
The Miura P400 S retained the transversely mounted 3.9L V12 engine but saw enhancements in the form of modified camshaft profiles and carburetors. These changes led to an increase in horsepower from 350 to 370. As a result, the car was able to achieve a top speed of 177 mph, making it one of the fastest production vehicles available at the time. Additionally, improved suspension and braking systems contributed to better handling, addressing some of the shortcomings present in the original Miura. Despite these upgrades, the P400 S maintained the raw, exhilarating driving experience that cemented the Miura’s status as an instant legend.
Produced between 1968 and 1971, the Miura P400 S was a highly sought-after and exclusive automobile, with only 338 examples created before it was succeeded by the even more advanced Miura SV. The example that will be offered by Gooding and Company at their 2025 Amelia Island auction shows just over 7,800 km since new and is equipped with its matching-numbers engine and body panels.
Factory records indicate that it was originally finished in the same color scheme it wears today. Remarkably, the car wasn’t registered until 2017 and includes lots of original documentation, including the Certificato di Approvazione that would have been surrendered if it was registered when new.
Estimate: $2,500,000 – $3,000,000
Introduced in 1954 at the New York Auto Show, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (Sport Leicht, or “Sport Light”) was the first production car to feature fuel injection, dramatically improving power output compared to its carbureted predecessors. The origins of the 300 SL trace back to the early 1950s when Mercedes-Benz sought to build a high-performance race car based on its successful W194 competition model. Thanks to its lightweight tubular spaceframe and eponymous gullwing doors, the 300 SL was a technological marvel when it was unveiled.
The car’s 3.0L straight-six engine produced 240 horsepower and could propel the 300 SL to 160 mph, a remarkable achievement for a production car in the 1950s. The fuel injection system was derived from aircraft technology and provided improvements in both fuel efficiency and power delivery. While the 300 SL Gullwing’s doors are arguably its most iconic feature, they proved necessary to the design due to the high tubular frame.
Mercedes-Benz produced the 300 SL Gullwing from 1954 through 1957, building a total of 1,400 examples before focusing on the roadster variant.
The example set to be offered by Gooding & Company at their Amelia Island auction is equipped with its original engine and includes a matching set of fitted luggage. Since it was purchased by the consignor in 2016 it’s been maintained with a schedule of detailing and running cycles to keep it in top shape.
Estimate: $1,300,000 – $1,500,000