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Mecum Auctions Monterey 2018 descends upon the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa August 23-25 and brings with it some very exciting lots again this year. To be broadcast by NBC Sports, the 2018 auction series will include 600 high-value cars, including collectors, custom-builds, exotics and vintage autos. Let’s take a look at some of the most coveted lots.
Dallara DW12 Honda IndyCar
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Alexander Rossi thrilled the crowd, viewers and racing enthusiasts when he drove this speed machine to victory at the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 — in his first year at the event, no less! The 24-year-old driver stunned the crowd of 350,000 when he took first on May 29, 2016, in this blue and yellow Andretti Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian racing machine, capable of averaging 230 mph.
The IndyCar boasts a Dallara chassis 037 mated to a Honda V-6 engine with Borg-Warner twin-turbochargers and a Honda aerokit. And most uniquely, the original race-winning Honda engine is scheduled to be returned to the chassis in 2020 on a 100-year engine lease, thanks to an agreement with Honda Performance Development.
Estimated to sell for $1,175,000 to $1,250,000.
2017 Lamborghini Centenario LP770-4
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Just one of 20 ever produced, with only 49 original miles, this Mediterranean beauty was hand-built in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of founder Ferruccio Lamborghini‘s birth. Though Lamborghini announced a production limit of 20 coupes and 20 roadsters, priced around $2 million each, all 20 coupes had been promised to buyers by the end of the Centenario’s unveiling at the 2016 Geneva Auto Show.
Boasting a naturally aspirated L359 6.5/759 HP V-12 engine, all-wheel drive, 7-speed independent shift rod automatic transmission and dynamic steering with variable steering ration, this machine can do 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 217 mph.
Estimated to sell for $2,750,000 to $3,000,000.
1958 Porsche 550A Spyder
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This Porsche 550A-0141 Spyder claimed two 1st in class victories during its maiden 1958 racing season, driven by Ernst Vogel. Additionally, it placed 2nd overall at Flugplatz Wien Aspern in Austria on May 15 that year and 1st overall at GP Circuit d’Opatija in Yugoslavia a month later on June 15.
After a string of private owners, current owner Steve Terrien found the Spyder in a warehouse in 1984 and snatched it up. He then undertook a three-decades-long careful restoration of the vehicle, going to great lengths to ensure all work was completed to exacting Porsche standards. Terrien even went so far as to track down a sister vehicle — 550A-0135 — that helped the owner and his team of caretakers restore the Spyder with painstaking authenticity. Remarkably, the 550A-0141 Spyder retains its original VDM wood-rimmed steering wheel and all five original wheels.
Estimated to sell for $4,500,000 to $5,000,000.
2014 Pagani Huayra
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Perhaps as whimsical as it is powerful, the Huayra was the creation of Horacio Pagani, who claimed inspiration from Leonardo Da Vinci and named his speed machine after the Andean wind god, Huayra-Tata. As though straight out of a science fiction novel, the Huayra is the only car in the world made entirely of “carbotanium,” a carbon-titanium composite that’s lighter and stronger than carbon fiber alone and resistant to shattering thanks to the addition of the titanium.
With 439 miles on it, the Huayra boasts a 6.0L twin-turbo V-12 engine for 730 HP and 738 lb.-ft. of torque, and is capable of achieving 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 238 mph. Finished in Blue Argentina and matching blue carbon fiber with a gold accent stripe, this beauty was honored by Top Gear as its 2012 Hypercar of the Year, with star Richard Hammond giving it very high marks.
Estimated to sell for $2,500,000 to $2,700,000.
2015 Ferrari LaFerrari
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Finished in striking Giallo Modena, with 419 original miles, the LaFerrari was the first production Ferrari to benefit from the company’s studies into hybrid racing powertrains. Expect a 6.3L V-12 DOHC unit with Ferrari’s proprietary Dynamic Ram Effect induction system for a total 949 HP and a staggering 9,250 RPM limit.
Steering is done in F1 style, natch, with shift lights, ergonomic paddle shifters and a Manettino-actuated driving mode selection. All the better to control this power machine, which does 0 to 60 mph in 2.4 seconds, 124 mph in less than 7 seconds and 0 to 186 mph in 15 seconds. The LaFerrari tops out at 217 mph, no doubt thrilling its driver and those within earshot of the roar of its V-12 power-plant.
Estimated to sell for $3,250,000 to $3,500,000.
Additional main attractions at the 2018 Mecum Auctions in Monterey include a 2017 Ford GT, 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari, 2008 Lamborghini Reventon, 2015 McLaren P1, 2012 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport 16.4, 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S, 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder, 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta, 2003 Ferrari Enzo, and others.
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