Thinking of buying a collector car? Pebble Beach this August could be your moment. Here’s what you need to know
On 14 and 15 August, Gooding Christie’s, the official auction house of the Concours d’Elegance, will showcase Ferrari, Porsche, Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz and more at Pebble Beach Auctions in California. Read our expert buyer's guide on what to look for
A 1963 Ferrari 250 P. The first ever ‘P’ car, Ferrari's original mid-engine V-12 sports-racing prototype, made its debut at Monza and is centerpiece in one of the world's foremost automobile collections since 1988. Estimate: $15,000,000-20,000,000. Offered in in Pebble Beach Auctions on 14-15 August 2026 in Pebble Beach, California. Copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company, LLC
I’d like to buy a collector car. Where do I start?
Simply start with what you love. Perhaps it’s a model you find nostalgic, or a car you’ve experienced and pined for ever since. Collectors often start with a certain marque or model, and as they grow in knowledge and experience, they expand their taste to incorporate older models and more niche builds and so forth.
A 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe. Among the most significant American race cars and part of Shelby American’s 1965 FIA GT Championship campaign, the offered car raced at Tour de France, Daytona, Sebring, Nürburgring, and Reims. Estimate in excess of $25,000,000. Offered in in Pebble Beach Auctions on 14-15 August 2026 in Pebble Beach, California. Copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company, LLC
What is a collector car?
A collector car can be defined as an automobile that has significantly increased in value due to its rarity, significance, production history, performance features and technical specifications. Values vary based on provenance, condition, desirability and other factors. Naturally, you will not find a unanimous consensus across the board on what is a collector car and what is not. This is especially true for the more modern cars, perhaps those from the late 1980s to the early aughts, as they have only recently begun to be considered true collector cars.
A 1989 Porsche 911 Classic Turbo Reimagined by Singer. Original owner example from new, finished in NATO Green over Blonde leather with green houndstooth inserts, this offered car showed less than 1,700 miles at the time of cataloguing and specified with over $150,000 in options, including carbon ceramic brakes. Estimate: $1,500,000-1,800,000. Offered in in Pebble Beach Auctions on 14-15 August 2026 in Pebble Beach, California. Copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company, LLC
Where and when is the best time to look for a collector car?
Gooding Christie’s specialists are ready to assist at any point in your search, whether you’d like to buy at auction or purchase privately. Live sales provide an opportunity to inspect a wide range of offerings in person, consult with specialists, engage with the archives, and fully experience the auction buying process. Gooding’s Amelia Island Auctions in March and Pebble Beach Auctions in August are amongst the house’s flagship sales. Most recently, Gooding has become the official auction house of Rétromobile, both for their flagship in Paris event and for the inaugural Rétromobile New York Auctions in November 2026. Gooding also holds additional bespoke live auctions throughout the world as well as Geared Online auctions each year.
A 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS. With right-hand-drive E-series Dino, it is one of only five ‘Chairs and Flares’ examples delivered new to the UK. The offered car was owned by legendary Grammy Award-winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Steve Winwood since new. Estimate: $750,000-1,000,000. Offered in in Pebble Beach Auctions on 14-15 August 2026 in Pebble Beach, California. Copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company, LLC
I’ve found a car I love. What should I look out for?
Inspect the car to understand its physical and mechanical condition. You can also consult a mechanic to ensure a thorough examination. It’s imperative to do your research. Read our in-depth catalogue descriptions to explore the car’s history, provenance, the number of owners it has had from new, any notable mechanical servicing, restoration work, or cosmetic alterations, and its participation in important events, races, or concours. Gooding Christie’s specialists offer decades of experience and thorough knowledge of the intricacies of the market.
A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing. Equipped from new with Rudge knock-off wheels and highly desirable sport suspension and presented in original German Racing Silver (DB 180) with red upholstery and plaid inserts, this car is offered with Karl Baisch luggage, belly pans, tool kit, jack, and knock-off hammer. Estimate: $2,500,000-3,000,000. Offered in in Pebble Beach Auctions on 14-15 August 2026 in Pebble Beach, California. Copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company, LLC
How often can I drive my collector car?
Collectors vary in their approach to utilising their collector cars, depending on the intent or purpose of their purchase. Those looking to preserve the value of a low-mileage car pay greater mind to how many miles they accrue on the odometer. While others are drawn to the tremendous social component of collecting, participating in tours, rallies and shows or weekend drives with loved ones. Depending on the marque, model and era of your collector car, you could be granted access to the foremost international concours, exhibitions and driving events. Naturally, an ultra-low mileage modern supercar will demand different treatment than a vintage Porsche 911 from the 1970s with a robust provenance and event history, so best practices depend on the specific car.
How do I keep my collector car in the best condition?
Your collector car should ideally be stored it in a climate-controlled garage or facility. Keep it covered if possible. Properly maintain the car’s battery, and tend to all necessary servicing on schedule. Additionally, gentle exercise will ensure that your car remains in proper order for years to come.
A 2020 Bugatti Chiron Sport ‘Edition Noire’. One of only 60 produced of the exclusive Sport Variant of the Chiron and one of only 20 ‘Edition Noire’ examples built, this car is offered by Prominent Southern California Collection and original owner, used sparingly, showing under 2,500 miles when catalogued. Estimate: $3,000,000-3,500,000. Offered in in Pebble Beach Auctions on 14-15 August 2026 in Pebble Beach, California. Copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company, LLC
What are some of the world record-breaking collector cars?
Throughout the years, Gooding Christie’s has set major world records for the most revered marques and models. Marque records set by Gooding include Ferrari, Bugatti, Porsche, McLaren, Duesenberg, Talbot-Lago, Toyota, Aston Martin, RUF and Mercer. Gooding has also sold the most valuable American, French and Japanese cars at auction and the most valuable antique car at auction. Key model records include the McLaren F1, Ferrari 275, Porsche 917, Bugatti Type 59, Bugatti Type 57, Ferrari F40, Bugatti EB110, Ferrari Dino 246 GTS and Production Jaguar E-Type. The company has also set market-disrupting records via private sales of the world’s most important vehicles.
A 1931 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Supercharged ‘Blower’ Sports Tourer. One of the 50 original factory supercharged ‘Blower’ Bentleys, this car offered is awarded First in Class at the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® and retains its original Vanden Plas coachwork, Le Mans seats, and most of its original running gear. Estimate: $3,500,000-4,000,000. Offered in in Pebble Beach Auctions on 14-15 August 2026 in Pebble Beach, California. Copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company, LLC
Sign up for Going Once, a weekly newsletter delivering our top stories and art market insights to your inbox