Hagerty predicts record Monterey auctions

Hagerty Media said its 2026 Monterey auction preview points to a stronger market for the most expensive collector cars than a year ago, setting up a week that could approach the event’s sales record. The analysis, published August 5, said the midpoint of its forecast for total Monterey auction sales is $470 million, just below the 2022 record. Hagerty said its optimistic case reaches $496 million and that bidding strength could push the total above $500 million for the first time. The forecast arrives days before Monterey Car Week auctions begin across Monterey County. ### How high does Hagerty think Monterey sales can go? Hagerty said the midpoint of its 2026 forecast is $470 million, compared with $432.7 million in 2025 and the prior record of $471.2 million in 2022. The firm said a stronger mix of high-value consignments, rather than a large increase in the number of cars offered, is the main reason totals could rise. (hagerty.com) The preview said reserve lots are expected to edge above half of vehicles on offer, while the overall number of cars for sale should stay broadly similar. Hagerty said that mix of more valuable vehicles could still lift total sales to the edge of the record, or beyond it if bidding is strong. ### Which cars are expected to drive the money this year? (hagerty.com) Hagerty said modern supercars are likely to account for 60% of total sales in Monterey this year. The firm said that would extend a shift away from the older pattern in which prewar cars and later Enzo-era Ferraris dominated the week’s biggest totals. The August 5 preview said prewar greats are also expected to gain share, while large 1960s American consignments such as a 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona coupe and a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport sit outside Hagerty’s three main categories. (hagerty.com) Hagerty said auction companies and consignors have already adjusted to that stronger top end of the market. ### Why is Monterey’s auction lineup different this year? Broad Arrow, which is owned by Hagerty, said in February it had become the official auction partner of The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. The company said its 2026 Monterey Car Week sale will run August 13 and 14 in Carmel Valley and feature about 175 collector cars. (hagerty.com) CLASSIC.COM said Broad Arrow’s move means Bonhams shifts to Laguna Seca for its first sale at the racetrack, adding a new venue change to this year’s Monterey week. The site listed five main auctions for 2026: Bonhams at Laguna Seca on August 13, Broad Arrow at The Quail on August 13-14, Gooding Christie’s on August 14-15, Mecum on August 13-15, and RM Sotheby’s on August 13-15. ### Where will the biggest auction houses be selling? (newsroom.hagerty.com) RM Sotheby’s said its Monterey auction returns for a 29th year to the Portola Hotel and Monterey Conference Center from August 13 through August 15. The company said public preview admission is $60 for the weekend, while the auction itself is limited to registered bidders, qualified media and consignors. RM Sotheby’s schedule shows preview days beginning August 12, with evening auctions on August 13, August 14 and August 15. (classic.com) Hagerty’s preview said the Monterey auctions are “right around the corner,” framing next week’s results as an early test of whether the top end of the collector-car market can translate stronger consignments into record sales. ### What happens next in Monterey? August 13 is the first day when multiple Monterey auctions begin, including Broad Arrow at The Quail, Bonhams at Laguna Seca and RM Sotheby’s in downtown Monterey. (rmsothebys.com) Hagerty said it will be watching whether total sales land near its $470 million midpoint forecast or challenge the 2022 record of $471.2 million. (hagerty.com)