Top Ten at Monterey Car Week 2025
Every year, the world’s most discerning collectors and enthusiasts flock to the Monterey Peninsula for Car Week, a celebration of automotive artistry, engineering, and history. Amidst the glamorous events and pristine concours lawns, the true highlight for many is the high-stakes auction block, where some of the most sought-after and exotic cars ever built meet their future owners. From historic race cars that dominated the world’s most famous circuits to modern hypercars pushing the boundaries of performance, these auctions offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire a piece of automotive history. We’ve assembled a list of the Top Ten most exciting cars that will be offered for sale during Monterey Car Week 2025, each with a story as compelling as its design and performance.
Monterey Car Week 2025 Top Ten Exciting Cars
CSX 2003, a significant example of automotive history set to be offered by Broad Arrow Auctions at Monterey Car Week 2025, will undoubtedly captivate Shelby collectors and enthusiasts. We previously discussed this car with Donnie Gould from Broad Arrow Auctions. However, it’s crucial to emphasize that this is one of the Ed Hugus-built Cobras. Without Hugus’ involvement in the development of the Shelby Cobra, the entire program might never have taken off.
This car holds immense significance for the Shelby legend. It was the very prototype that showcased the Cobra’s potential to Ford. In fact, it directly led to Carroll Shelby and Ford officially collaborating.
Broad Arrow Auctions anticipates a sale price between $1,500,000 and $2,000,000. Nevertheless, considering its unique status as a one-of-a-kind car, it’s still equipped with the experimental 260 cubic inch V8 engine—the same one that powered CSX 2003 when driven by Henry Ford II. So it won’t be entirely surprising if it surpasses their expectations.
Estimate: $1,500,000 – $2,000,000
The 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight was conceived with a specific purpose: to homologate the 911 for Group 4 racing. The “RS” in its name stands for “Rennsport,” a German term for “racing sport,” aptly describing the car’s intent. Initially, Porsche planned to produce only 500 examples to comply with racing regulations. However, the car’s popularity surged upon its debut at the 1972 Paris Motor Show. The Carrera RS was the inaugural 911 to feature the iconic “ducktail” rear spoiler, a crucial aerodynamic innovation that minimized rear-end lift at high speeds without adding substantial drag. The car was also distinguished by its widened rear wheel arches, a new 2.7L flat-six engine producing 210 horsepower, and vibrant “Carrera” side graphics.
The “Lightweight” (or M471) version elevated the racing ethos to new heights. To achieve a substantial weight reduction of approximately 115 kg compared to the standard “Touring” model, Porsche stripped the car of almost all comfort features. This included using thinner body panels and glass, removing the rear seats, sound deadening, radio, clock, armrests, and even opting for a simpler adhesive Porsche crest on the hood instead of a metal badge. The result was a raw, focused machine with a curb weight of just 960 kg. Porsche produced a total of 1,580 Carrera RS 2.7s, but only around 200 of them were the sportier Lightweight models.
Mecum will offer one of these 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight for sale at their Monterey 2025 auction during Monterey Car Week. This example has a well-documented history in Italy and Switzerland before it was brought to the US. It presents very well in a stunning Tangerine over a black interior and sits ready for its next owner.
Estimate: $900,000 – $1,200,000
The Ferrari F40 LM, a track-focused evolution of the legendary F40 road car, was developed by Michelotto at the request of French Ferrari importer Charles Pozzi SA. Recognizing the F40’s racing potential, Pozzi commissioned a competition-spec version to race in events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, for which the “LM” designation stands. Michelotto’s work transformed the F40 with upgrades aimed at maximizing performance. The car’s 2.9L twin-turbo V8 engine was heavily modified with larger turbochargers, bigger intercoolers, and revised engine management, increasing power output from the standard 478 hp to a staggering 720 hp or more in later specifications. Aerodynamic improvements were also a key focus, with a larger front spoiler, a redesigned hood with massive cooling vents, underbody venturis, and a huge, adjustable rear wing to generate significantly more downforce. These changes resulted in a car that was not only visually more aggressive but also a formidable racing machine.
In total, only 19 examples of the F40 LM were prepared by Michelotto, making them far rarer than the standard F40. The car debuted in the IMSA GT series in 1989 and went on to compete in various prestigious championships across Europe and Japan, including the BPR Global GT Series. Though its racing career was relatively short-lived compared to some contemporaries, it achieved notable successes, including class podiums and overall victories. Notably, it earned a respectable 12th place overall finish at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The 1993 Ferrari F40 LM by Michelotto that will be offered by RM Sotheby’s at their Monterey 2025 auction is the 14th built and is equipped with the GTC-spec engine that produces 760 horsepower. It’s a stunning example of the competition version of an already limited-production supercar.
Estimate: $8,500,000 – $9,500,000
The 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Competizione stands as an exceptionally rare and significant variant of an already legendary model. While the standard 250 GT SWB California Spider was designed as a high-performance grand touring car for the affluent American market, a select few were crafted for serious competition. These “Competizione” models featured a lightweight aluminum body instead of the standard steel, shedding crucial weight for enhanced track performance. They were also equipped with a tuned version of the iconic 3.0-liter “Colombo” V12 engine, often with a higher compression ratio, delivering a substantial power surge over the road car’s 280 hp. Out of the total 56 SWB California Spiders built, only three received a full lightweight aluminum body, and only two of those were constructed to the full competition specification. This particular example from Gooding Christie’s is one of them.
These competition-spec California Spiders were not merely for display; they were campaigned in prestigious races across Europe and North America. Their shortened wheelbase and upgraded chassis provided superior handling, while the powerful engine enabled them to compete fiercely in the GT class. They achieved notable success in events such as hill climbs and circuit races, building upon the racing legacy of their coupé counterpart, the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta. The harmonious blend of stunning Scaglietti coachwork, a formidable racing engine, and a successful competition pedigree has solidified the car’s status as a true masterpiece.
Chassis 2383 GT is Ferrari Classiche Certified and boasts its original chassis, body, engine, gearbox, and differential.
Estimate: More than $20,000,000
The 2023 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport embodies the pursuit of ultimate speed and performance. It’s a highly specialized variant of the already extraordinary Chiron, meticulously crafted to achieve breathtaking top speeds in a safe and exhilarating manner. The Super Sport is the culmination of Bugatti’s record-breaking run in 2019, when a prototype version of the car broke the 300 mph barrier, becoming the first production car to do so. While the production Super Sport is electronically limited to a top speed of 273 mph (440 km/h) for safety and regulatory reasons, it retains the same engineering and aerodynamic principles as the record-breaking vehicle.
Visually and technically optimized for longitudinal performance, the Chiron Super Sport boasts a distinctive “longtail” rear end that extends the body to reduce aerodynamic drag. A revised rear diffuser further enhances stability at extreme velocities.
Powering the Chiron Super Sport is an even more potent version of Bugatti’s iconic 8.0L quad-turbocharged W16 engine. This masterpiece of engineering has undergone meticulous re-engineering, featuring larger turbochargers and other optimizations that deliver an astonishing 1,600 PS (1,578 horsepower). This immense power is managed by a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with longer gear ratios, ensuring seamless acceleration and a tremendous thrust that persists well into the upper speed ranges. The car’s suspension and steering have also been fine-tuned to maintain stability and control at speeds that were once considered impossible for a road-legal vehicle.
Bonhams will offer this 2023 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport at their Quail Auction during Monterey Car Week with no reserve. It’s covered less than 740 miles and represents the pinnacle of modern hypercars.
Estimate: $3,500,000 – $4,500,000
Introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1966, the GTB/4 was the pinnacle of the 275 model, distinguished by its most significant mechanical upgrade: a revolutionary engine. The “4” in its name referred to the four overhead camshafts—two for each bank of the 3.3L Colombo V12 engine. This “four-cam” engine marked a significant departure from the single-cam design of previous road-going Ferraris, delivering an impressive claimed 300 horsepower. The 275 GTB/4 also came equipped with a dry-sump lubrication system and a bank of six Weber carburetors as standard, all of which contributed to its enhanced performance and racing heritage.
Visually, the GTB/4 resembled the “long-nose” Series II 275 GTB that preceded it, boasting the exquisite Pininfarina-designed and Scaglietti-built bodywork. However, a discerning observer could discern a subtle, shallow bulge running down the center of the hood, a distinctive feature of the four-cam model. The car’s sophisticated chassis featured a transaxle to optimize weight distribution and a fully independent suspension, making it one of the most advanced and well-handling vehicles of its era. With a limited production run of approximately 330 units between 1966 and 1968, the Ferrari 275 GTB/4 stands as one of the most desirable classic Ferraris on the market today.
The 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 that will be offered for sale by Broad Arrow Auctions features its matching-numbers V12 engine and presents very nicely, benefiting from a repaint and refurbishment by Legendary Motorcar Company when it was repainted in period-correct Giallo Fly with a black leather interior.
Estimate: $2,500,000 – $3,000,000
The Porsche 918 Spyder, a landmark hypercar, revolutionized hybrid technology in the automotive world. Unveiled as a concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, it garnered immense interest, leading Porsche to greenlight its production version in 2013. Alongside the McLaren P1 and Ferrari LaFerrari, the 918 Spyder formed part of a legendary “holy trinity” of hybrid hypercars. Its mission was to demonstrate that a car could excel as both a high-performance track machine and a technologically advanced, efficient vehicle. The 918 Spyder achieved this through its carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, advanced aerodynamics, and sophisticated all-wheel-drive system.
At the heart of the 918 Spyder lies its groundbreaking plug-in hybrid powertrain. This innovative system combined a naturally aspirated 4.6L V8 engine, derived from a race car, with two electric motors—one for each axle. This combination generated an impressive 875 total horsepower, enabling the car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 2.6 seconds. The 918 Spyder’s hybrid system not only provided immense power but also offered all-electric driving, a feature that set it apart from its competitors. Limited to a production run of just 918 units, the 918 Spyder also made history by becoming the first production car to break the seven-minute lap time at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, heralding the dawn of the hybrid hypercar era.
The 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder that RM Sotheby’s will offer at their Monterey 2025 auction comes from its original owner and shows fewer than 400 miles since new. It recently underwent its 10-year maintenance at the same Porsche dealer that sold it new so it should be considered ready to go to a new home.
Estimate: $2,500,000 – $3,000,000
The Daytona Spider, one of the most iconic and sought-after open-top grand tourers ever created, was unveiled at the 1969 Frankfurt Motor Show. It was the convertible version of the legendary 365 GTB/4 Daytona coupe. The car’s unofficial “Daytona” moniker was bestowed upon it by Ferrari’s historic 1-2-3 victory at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona, a tribute that has endured ever since. The Spider retained the striking design and exceptional performance engineering of the coupe, featuring its long hood, sleek profile, and aggressive lines, all crafted by Pininfarina’s Leonardo Fioravanti.
Powered by a 4.4L, quad-cam V12 engine, the Daytona Spider delivered an impressive 352 horsepower, enabling it to reach a top speed exceeding 170 mph. This power was seamlessly channeled through a five-speed manual transaxle, strategically positioned in the rear to achieve near-perfect weight distribution. This harmonious blend of a potent front-mounted V12 and a balanced chassis made the Daytona an exceptional driver’s car.
Just 122 examples were produced by the factory making it a highly desirable car for Ferrari collectors. The 1971 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider that will be offered by Mecum during Monterey Car Week is Ferrari Classiche Certified and includes the ever-desirable Red Book. Plenty of documentation is also included, such as copies of invoices from the restoration, along with its original owner’s pouch and books.
Estimate: $2,500,000 – $3,000,000
The Bugatti EB110 Super Sport stands as a remarkable and often-overlooked chapter in modern automotive history. It represents a bold attempt to revive the legendary Bugatti brand. Conceived by Italian entrepreneur Romano Artioli, the EB110 was the first new car to bear the Bugatti name in over three decades. The Super Sport (SS) version was the pinnacle of the EB110 platform, designed to be lighter, more powerful, and more aerodynamic than the standard GT model. It was a technological marvel of its time, boasting a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and a groundbreaking carbon-fiber monocoque chassis—a material more commonly found in aerospace engineering than in road cars.
At the heart of the EB110 Super Sport lay a 3.5L, quad-turbocharged V12 engine. While the GT model produced a formidable 553 horsepower, the SS underwent further tuning to deliver an astonishing 611 horsepower. This immense power, coupled with a weight reduction of over 300 pounds, resulted in a car with breathtaking performance. With a top speed exceeding 216 mph and a 0-60 mph time of approximately 3.2 seconds, the EB110 Super Sport was one of the fastest production cars in the world. Its exceptional performance, coupled with its striking design—featuring distinctive five-hole side air intakes and a fixed rear wing—solidified its status as a true supercar legend of the 1990s.
Gooding Christie’s will offer this 1994 Bugatti EB110 Super Sport at their 2025 Pebble Beach Auctions during Monterey Car Week. It’s one of around 30 ever built and shows just over 1,000 km since new. It includes its books, tools, and accessories and will certainly grab plenty of attention when it hits the auction block this coming Friday.
Estimate: $3,000,000 – $3,500,000
The 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, a timeless classic, epitomizes the pinnacle of post-war German automotive engineering and design. Emerging as a natural evolution of the legendary 300 SL “Gullwing” coupe, it captivated the world with its revolutionary design and racing pedigree. Introduced in 1957, the roadster was a response to the demand for an open-top version of the iconic sports car. While retaining the powerful 3.0L, fuel-injected straight-six engine that made the Gullwing famous, the roadster featured a conventional hinged door design. This modification allowed for easier entry and a more practical driving experience, as the tubular chassis was adapted to accommodate this change.
Beyond its technical prowess, the 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster exuded luxury and exclusivity. Its elegant lines and exceptional craftsmanship set it apart from other sports cars of the era. The roadster offered a refined and comfortable driving experience, surpassing its coupe counterpart. A redesigned suspension improved handling and ride quality, contributing to its overall appeal. Additionally, the roadster came with a removable hardtop as an option, providing the thrill of open-air motoring while offering the security of a coupe.
These have been solid investments in recent years and the example that will be offered by Broad Arrow Auctions at their Monterey Jet Center sale benefits from a stunning restoration and is a completely matching-numbers cars. It sits ready for its next owner to bring it to another Concours, having taken Best in Class at the 2004 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.
Estimate: $1,850,000 – $2,200,000