Every August for the past 62 years, some of the rarest, most beautiful, and expensive vintage cars ever preserved have rolled into Monterey, California for what’s recognized as the single most prestigious antique automobile event in the world, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which kicks off today. The competition itself begins on Sunday, but there will events all through the weekend, with much of the attention focusing on the high-value car auctions happening around town. The likely star? A 1936 Mercedes 540K Special Roadster, which auctioneer David Gooding believes may break the $16m Pebble Beach auction record.
Bonhams, RM, Russo & Steel, Mecum, and Gooding & Co. will all hold auctions over the weekend, during which numerous cars are expected to break the $1m mark. Among them are the stunning 1935 Duesenberg in which Hollywood legend Clark Gable courted Carole Lombard (est. $9m, at Gooding), a 1931 Bentley 4 ½ Litre SC “Blower” Sports 2/3 Seater Boattail known as “The Green Hornet” (est. $8m-$10m, at Gooding), a 1938 Horch ($6m-$8m at RM, and a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Competitizione LWB California Spider ($8m, at Gooding).
