Monterey Car Week 2026 was one for the history books. Across five major auction houses, total sales reached $412 million — a 23% increase over 2025 and the third-highest total in Monterey history.
The Headline Sales
Three new world records were set during the week:
Key Trends We Observed
The modern classic market is maturing. Cars from the 1990s and 2000s — particularly limited-production sports cars — showed the strongest year-over-year appreciation. Notable sales included a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT at $2.1M and a 2012 Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition at $1.8M.
Japanese sports cars continued their correction. While still well above pre-2020 levels, prices for top-tier JDM cars like the R34 GT-R and A80 Supra have settled 15-20% from 2024 peaks.
Provenance matters more than ever. Cars with documented racing history, celebrity ownership, or factory special-order configurations commanded 30-50% premiums over comparable examples.
Sell-Through Rates
The overall sell-through rate was 78%, up from 72% in 2025. This is a healthy sign for the market — it suggests genuine demand rather than speculative buying.
| Price Range | Sell-Through Rate |
|---|---|
| Under $100K | 85% |
| $100K-$500K | 79% |
| $500K-$1M | 74% |
| Over $1M | 68% |
Our Takeaway
The collector car market remains fundamentally healthy, but increasingly bifurcated. Trophy cars at the top continue to set records, while the middle market requires careful selection. The best opportunities right now are in documented, low-mileage examples of modern performance cars from the 2000s-2010s.