Hagerty predicts Monterey auctions could challenge price records

Hagerty said on August 5 that its midpoint forecast for the 2026 Monterey auctions points to total sales above last year’s level, putting record territory back in view for the collector-car market. The forecast was published in Hagerty Media’s annual Monterey auction preview ahead of Car Week on California’s Monterey Peninsula. Hagerty did not frame the estimate as a certainty, but said the midpoint of its range would top 2025’s sales volume. That places this year’s auction week in contention with the strongest Monterey totals on record. ### How high is the bar for Monterey this year? Hagerty said 2025 Monterey auction sales totaled $432.8 million across four days and five auction companies, making last year the second-biggest Monterey on record. Only 2022 was higher, at $471.2 million, according to Hagerty’s post-sale analysis. (hagerty.com) Hagerty also said last year’s figure included a 2025 Ferrari Daytona SP3 charity sale at $26 million. Excluding that lot, Hagerty said total sales would have been $406.8 million, or about 4% above the prior year. ### What is Hagerty saying about buyer demand? Hagerty’s August 5 preview said the midpoint of its 2026 forecast sits above last year’s total, indicating stronger expected demand at the top end of the market. (hagerty.com) The company tied that outlook to the mix of consignments and bidder appetite heading into Monterey. Hagerty’s 2025 review said modern supercars led many of last year’s headline results, while buyers were more selective elsewhere. (hagerty.com) The company said bidders competed for rare, high-desirability cars and passed on more common offerings, a pattern it described as vehicle-specific rather than broad market exuberance. (hagerty.com) ### Which auctions will set the pace in Monterey? RM Sotheby’s said its Monterey sale will run August 13-15 at the Monterey Conference Center and Portola Hotel in downtown Monterey. The auction house called the event its flagship Monterey sale and said preview activities begin August 12. Broad Arrow Auctions said its new Quail auction partnership begins in 2026, with sales scheduled for August 13-14 at Quail Golf Club in Carmel. (hagerty.com) Broad Arrow said the auction is expected to feature more than 180 collector cars. Gooding Christie’s said its Pebble Beach Auctions will take place August 14-15 at the Parc du Concours in Pebble Beach. (rmsothebys.com) Bonhams’ auction calendar lists its Laguna Seca sale for August 13. Mecum said its Monterey auction at Del Monte Golf Course runs August 13-15. ### How big is Car Week beyond the auction tents? KSBW reported Monterey County expects more than 100,000 visitors during the 10-day event and more than $130 million in spending. (broadarrowauctions.com) A Pebble Beach Concours announcement carried by PR Newswire gave the same estimates for countywide economic activity during Car Week. The 2026 edition runs August 7-16 and culminates in the 75th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, according to event organizers and Monterey Car Week listings. (goodingco.com) Auction houses typically cluster their headline sales in the final four days before the concours. ### What will show whether Hagerty’s call was right? (ksbw.com) August 13-15 will provide the clearest test as RM Sotheby’s, Broad Arrow, Bonhams, Gooding Christie’s and Mecum run their Monterey sales. Hagerty’s benchmark is explicit: to challenge the record, 2026 total sales would need to approach or exceed the $471.2 million Monterey reached in 2022. (hagerty.com) (prnewswire.com)