The Monaco auctions 2026 saw Bonhams and RM Sotheby’s offer up a selection of high-end racing machinery and road cars, and both events saw plenty of sales. Bonhams recorded a sell-through rate of 83 percent and a total of €10,385,907, while RM Sotheby’s recorded a sell-through rate of 90 percent and a total of €87,967,385. That result makes RM’s Monaco sale the highest-grossing multi-car auction the firm has ever held in Europe. Along the way it secured world record sales for the Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder, the Bugatti Bolide and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.
However, the Monaco auctions 2026 was a tale of two sales – while a significant proportion of RM Sotheby’s cars finished above estimate, the majority of Bonhams’ finished below low estimate, but still sold, showing that sellers are realistic. Let’s take a closer look.
Bonhams
While it wasn’t the highest-value car offered by Bonhams at the Monaco auctions 2026, nor its highest-finishing result, one of the most-storied cars was the above 1958 Lotus-Climax Type 16. Chassis 362, the original Lotus-Climax Type 16, was completed in 1958 and is particularly significant as the car in which Graham Hill made his first single-seater appearance. Entered for the French Grand Prix at Reims, it ran with a 1.5-litre Formula 2 engine, still in the experimental ‘laydown’ configuration that soon proved problematic due to lubrication issues and reduced power.
In response, the engine in 362 was remounted at a 17-degree cant to the left, improving induction efficiency and reliability. Even so, the car’s early outings were challenging. Hill drove the Type 16 at Reims, although the team struggled overall. Subsequent races brought mixed fortunes: at Silverstone the cars overheated into retirement, while at the Nürburgring Cliff Allison demonstrated 362’s potential by running as high as fourth before retiring with a split radiator.
The car’s 1958 season ended when Allison crashed heavily during practice for the Portuguese Grand Prix, leaving 362 badly damaged. The chassis was later rebuilt and adapted for Formula 2 use by amateur driver Anthony Brooke in 1960, although his appearances were limited. After passing through several owners and years in storage, 362 was eventually restored and became a respected and competitive entrant in Historic Grand Prix racing. Against an estimate of €450k-€650k, it made €483k at the Bonhams sale at the Monaco auctions 2026.
Another heavily promoted car prior to the Monaco auctions 2026 was the above 1983 Audi Quattro A2 rally car. Chassis R38 began the 1983 World Rally Championship season at the Monte-Carlo Rally with Hannu Mikkola and co-driver Arne Hertz, finishing fourth, with two stage wins. It achieved its greatest success at the Rally of Portugal, where Mikkola dominated with ten stage victories to secure first place. After receiving an A2 evolution update, R38 returned for the Acropolis Rally, leading for much of the event and winning multiple stages before retiring with engine failure. This marked Mikkola’s final outing in the car, going on to win the 1983 World Drivers’ Championship.
Later in 1983, the Quattro reappeared with Lasse Lampi, finishing seventh. It was subsequently sold by Audi Sport and enjoyed a long second career in rallycross, ice racing, and hill climb events under various owners. Acquired in 2005 for restoration, R38 underwent a comprehensive rebuild, completed in 2023. Estimated at €900k-€1.2m, it sold for €862,500. Elsewhere, a 1983 Audi Quattro A1 piloted by Marc Duez achieved €339,250 against a €350k-€500k estimate. Two ex-Jolly Club Lancias, a 1976 Stratos (€750k-€900k est) and a 1970 Fulvia HF (€140k-€180k est), failed to find new owners.
Bonhams brought a selection of DTM cars from one collection to the Monaco auctions 2026, and the best performer versus estimate was definitely the above 1992 BMW M3 E30. Chassis WBA121307 was delivered to Team Bigazzi, one of two factory-supported teams competing in the 1992 DTM alongside Schnitzer. As a Works entry, the car was prepared to a higher specification than those available to private teams, and it was driven by Steve Soper. Over a ten-round championship, Soper secured two race victories at Avus and the Norisring, finishing ninth overall in the final standings.
In 1993, the car was sold to Czech driver Jens Venc and entered again in the DTM, running in Kaucuk livery. It subsequently competed in a limited number of races in the Czech Republic during 1994 before being withdrawn from competition. From 1998 onwards, it was retained on museum display. At the time of its later acquisition, the car was described as largely original and complete, retaining period components including its Steve Soper steering wheel. A full restoration was subsequently carried out from the chassis upwards.
Estimated at between €325k and €425k, it sold for €483k. Elsewhere, an ex-Armin Hahne 1989 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth sold for €235,750 (€275k-€375k est), an ex-Klaus Ludwig 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E Evo II sold for €391k (€375k-€450k est) and an ex-Nannini 1995 Alfa Romeo 155 V6 Ti sold for (€500k-€600k est).
Moving to the road cars, and the highest-value lot was the above 2021 Lamborghini Sián, one of 39 built and with 194km on the clock. Estimated at €2.1m-€2.5m, it sold for €2,012,500. Elsewhere, a 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster sold for €709,550 against a €710k-€790k estimate.
With the Ferrari market booming in the US, and with the penchant for ‘rare specs’ providing auction allure, the above 1991 Testarossa was one to watch at the Monaco auctions 2026. Originally delivered to Italy, it was believed to be one of only two specified in Blu Scuro (dark blue) with Crema (cream) interior. However, against an estimate of €280k-€320k, it fell slightly short at €276k.
Other Ferraris fell just shy of or just within their low estimates, too: a one-of-15 Grigio Ingrid 2004 575M sold for €97k (€100k-€120k est), a 1996 335 Spider in yellow sold for €103,500 (€100k-€140k est), a 2009 430 Scuderia sold for €287,500 (€290k-€310k est), a 2006 F430 Spider manual sold for €201,250 (€210k-€240k), a red 1985 Testarossa sold for €161k (€170k-€220k est) and a red 1999 550 Maranello sold for €92k (€95k-€135k est), while a 1984 512BBI restored by Maranello Service in 2014 estimated at €240k-€300k failed to find a new home, as did a 2024 812 Competizione A estimated at €1.75m-€2m.
The star performer at the Monaco auctions 2026 in terms of an above-estimate result was the above 1989 Lamborghini LM002. Chassis 12134 was reportedly ordered for the personal use of Muammar Gaddafi, who is said to have specified three examples in red, white and black. The factory build sheet records JB Automobiles in Paris as the supplying dealer, with a delivery date of December 22, 1988, although the first-owner field was left blank. The car was later in Marbella before being acquired by a Swedish collector, with whom it was partially restored, including repainting. The interior was retained in largely original condition, and it had covered 28,995km. Estimated at €300k-€350k, it sold for €448,500.
One of the biggest disappointments came with the very next lot after the Lamborghini – a car about as far from the hydrocarbon largesse of the LM002 as it’s possible to get. This 2016 Volkswagen XL-1, one of 250 built, had been originally supplied to Luxembourg and had covered just 1426km. It was used for promotional purposes by Luxembourg-based INGEM, a company specialising in new energy technologies. Estimated at €90k-€130k, it was described as being in need of a service before being driven regularly and sold at no reserve – in the end, it limped to €29,900.
RM Sotheby’s
RM Sotheby’s sale at the Monaco auctions 2026 was almost twice the size of Bonhams, and stacked to the rafters with more modern Ferraris, the current focus of auction excitement. Yet it was another Ferrari, this time from the Enzo era, that took star billing and, in the end, the highest-value sale of the whole weekend – a world record to boot. The above 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder, chassis 2955 GT, is the 26th example built. It was completed in September 1961 in Bianco Saratoga over Nero leather and delivered to Auto Becker of Düsseldorf, where it was displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show, establishing its status as a period show car.
Shortly afterwards, the California Spyder was sold to its first owner, André Budi-Medawar, and remained in Rome, where it was serviced both locally and at the Ferrari factory. In 1965 it was exported to the US via Luigi Chinetti Motors. After a brief initial ownership, it passed to Bernard Stayman, who exhibited the car at the 1966 FCA National Concours, where it received an award. In 1969 the Ferrari was sold to actor Ken Mars, who retained it for over 30 years, during which time it was repainted in red. In 2000 it passed through several hands before being acquired by a German collector, who commissioned a restoration in Italy, including a change to blue over tan trim.
In 2018 the car was certified by Ferrari Classiche, confirming the presence of its original engine, gearbox, rear axle and coachwork. It was sold again in 2019 and subsequently underwent a further restoration in Italy, including mechanical work and refinishing in its current colour scheme. Following completion in 2022, the 250 GT was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Estimated at €14.5m-€16.5m, it sold for €16.655m.
Other Enzo-era Ferraris to perform well were a rare white 1974 365 GT4 BB at €438,125 (€250k-€325k est) and a 1972 365 GTB/4 at €545k (€400k-€500k). However, a 1967 275 GTB/4 came up slightly short at €2,283,125 (€2.5m-€3m), while a 1967 330 GTS failed to sell.
Ferraris dominated the RM Sotheby’s sale (28 cars) and, unsurprisingly, a great many of them sold at above estimate. The ex-Jay Kay Signal Green LaFerrari (which we brought you details of here) was estimated at between €4m and €4.5m and sold for €5,067,500, while one of nine Argento Nürburgring Ferrari Enzos smashed through its €4.9m-€5.3m estimate to land on €6.53m.
It didn’t stop there – while the Untouched Collection of low-mileage supercars and hypercars wasn’t entirely devoted to Maranello machines, it was the Ferraris that nearly all blew past their upper estimates. At the head of the queue was a 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta, which sold for €1.175m (€900k-€1.1m est), while a ‘normal’ Speciale sold for €702,500 against a €500k-€600k estimate. There was love for the 488 Pista, too; a standard version made €612,500 (€450k-€550k est), while a Piloti Ferrari version garnered €848,750 (€700k-€900k). Elsewhere, a 2001 550 Barchetta made €590k (€400k-€450k est), while a 1997 F355 Spider in black with red leather trim made €195,500 (€120k-€160k est). A 2018 FXX-K Evo made €5.18m against a €5.2m-€5.7m estimate.
RM Sotheby’s lot list was also heavy on Formula 1 cars, with the above 1984 Toleman TG183B garnering plenty of attention. It is chassis number 5, the car Ayrton Senna drove on his F1 debut on home soil, although he retired on lap eight. It also garnered Senna’s first point in South Africa and seventh in Belgium. Estimated at €2.8m-€3.8m, it failed to sell.
Elsewhere, the 1978 Ferrari 312 T3, as driven by Carlos Reutemann in four rounds of the 1978 season and by Gilles Villeneuve in the 1979 Argentinian Grand Prix sold for €4,336,250 against a €4.5m-€5.5m estimate, while a 1991 Ferrari 641 sold for €3.83m against a €3m-€4m estimate and the Emerson Fittipaldi-driven 1979 Fittipaldi F6/A sold for €511,250 versus a €500k-€700k estimate.
Now to something without a little yellow badge; perhaps one of the more surprising results to some was this 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. It’s been mooted as a highly prized collectable of the future, although prices had remained fairly static for the past couple of years. This particular example was a single-owner Monaco car in Middle Gray Himalayas over a Sand Designo Exclusive and had 10,577km. Against an estimate of €200k-€250k, it sold for €331,250.
Elsewhere, a 2024 Mercedes-AMG One made €2,817,500 against a €2.4m-€2.8m estimate, while a 1956 300 SL Gullwing and a 1963 300 SL Roadster failed to sell.
Another surprise came courtesy of this 1964 Lamborghini 350 GT. It was a very special example of the breed – and a very special Lamborghini. Believed to be the ninth production road car built by the company and one of just 13 examples completed in 1964, the first year of production, this 350 GT was delivered new to Edmondo Lamborghini, brother of the marque’s founder, Ferruccio. It was finished in Rosso Matador over Nero upholstery and holds additional significance as the example used by the Italian Ministry of Transport for homologation of the 350 GT series.
In more recent years, the car has been the subject of a multi-year restoration in Italy, carried out under the supervision of its consigning owner. Final development and road testing were undertaken by Valentino Balboni, with the car refinished in Azzurro Acrilico Metallizzato. In 2021 it was certified by Lamborghini Polo Storico as retaining its matching-numbers chassis, engine and Touring Superleggera aluminium coachwork. It smashed through its €400k-€500k estimate to land on €623,750.
Not everything wearing the Cavallino Rampante badge turned to gold dust. The above 1984 Ferrari 308 GT/M, one of three built and a key step in the way towards the 288 GTO and F40, was a fascinating addition to the line-up. We brought you more details here, but on the day the €1.5m-€2m estimate was missed by some margin – it sold for €1,158,125.
While RM Sotheby’s made a world record with its Bugatti Bolide – it sold for €4,336,250 against a €3.5m-€4.5m estimate – there was certainly a lot of interest in this, the one-of-three EB112 prototype. We brought you details of the car here and opinions were certainly divided. On the day it sold within expectations (€1.5m-€2m est), finding a new home for €1,692,500.
Further details
For more information on Bonhams’ sale at the Monaco auctions 2026, head here.
For more information on RM Sotheby’s sale at the Monaco auctions 2026, head here.
