Hagerty sees record potential at Monterey

Hagerty said on August 5 that this year’s Monterey auction week could challenge prior records as the market for the most expensive collector cars strengthens ahead of sales next week. In a five-chart preview published by Hagerty Media, the company said the biggest change from last year is at the top end of the market, where auction houses and consignors have brought more high-value cars to California. Hagerty’s midpoint forecast for total Monterey sales is $469.8 million, just under the 2022 record of $471.2 million, and its optimistic case approaches $496 million. (hagerty.com) Hagerty said strong bidding could push total sales past $500 million for the first time. (broadarrowauctions.com) ### How close does Hagerty think Monterey is to a record? Hagerty’s forecast puts the 2026 Monterey auctions within a few million dollars of the week’s prior high-water mark. The company’s chart lists total sales of $471.2 million in 2022, $403.3 million in 2023, $391.6 million in 2024 and $432.7 million in 2025, before projecting $469.8 million for 2026. The firm said the upside case is what has drawn attention. Hagerty wrote that if bidding is strong, total sales could exceed half a billion dollars, even with the number of vehicles offered expected to stay broadly similar and reserve lots rising to just over half of the field. (hagerty.com) ### What is driving the forecast higher this year? Hagerty said the mix of cars, rather than a sharp jump in volume, is the main reason the sales total could climb. The company wrote that “the market for the most expensive cars has gotten a lot stronger since last year,” and said auction companies and consignors have responded by bringing more valuable vehicles. (hagerty.com) Modern supercars are expected to account for the largest share of the market. Hagerty said that among Monterey’s three major segments — Enzo-era Ferraris, prewar greats and modern supercars — the modern supercar category could represent 60% of sales in 2026. (hagerty.com) The company added that prewar cars could also gain share, while eight-figure 1960s American consignments such as a 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe and a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport sit outside those three buckets. ### Which auctions are part of Monterey week this year? Broad Arrow said its Quail auction will move in 2026 to the Quail Golf Club in Carmel, California, after four years at the Monterey Jet Center. (hagerty.com) The sale is scheduled for August 13-14 and is expected to feature more than 180 cars. Bonhams said its Laguna Seca auction will be held on August 13 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Mecum said its Monterey sale returns to Del Monte Golf Course on August 13-15 with about 600 collector cars and 100 motorcycles. RM Sotheby’s said its Monterey auction runs August 13-15 at the Monterey Conference Center and Portola Hotel. (hagerty.com) ### Why does the venue shuffle matter this year? Hagerty’s preview pointed to changes in the week’s layout as one of the notable differences from prior years. The company said Broad Arrow is now hosting its sale in Carmel Valley in conjunction with the Quail, while Bonhams has moved to Laguna Seca. (broadarrowauctions.com) Broad Arrow and Bonhams have both framed those moves as part of their 2026 Monterey plans. Broad Arrow called the Quail partnership a new chapter for its Monterey business, while Bonhams said Laguna Seca becomes its new home during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. (cars.bonhams.com) ### What happens next, and when will the market test begin? August 13 is the first key date for the week’s public sales. Bonhams is scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m. Pacific at Laguna Seca that day, while Broad Arrow’s Quail auction begins its two-day run on August 13 and RM Sotheby’s evening sale opens later that day in Monterey. (hagerty.com) Mecum’s sale also starts August 13 and continues through August 15. (cars.bonhams.com) (broadarrowauctions.com)