For anyone passionate about classic cars, prestige vehicles, collector cars, exotic supercars and motorsport legends, Monterey Car Week remains the ultimate automotive pilgrimage. This year’s Bonhams Laguna Seca Auction, held alongside the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at the iconic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, showcased an incredible mix of rare supercars, homologation specials, historic race cars and Formula One machinery. From a multi-million-dollar Lamborghini Diablo GT to one of Nissan’s most coveted Skyline homologation models, the auction highlighted the continued strength of the global collector vehicle market and the growing demand for rare and significant enthusiast cars.
2000 Lamborghini Diablo GT
Sold for US$2,425,000 (A$3.71 million)
The star enthusiast car of the sale, this ultra-rare Diablo GT is one of just 80 examples produced and is widely regarded as the ultimate expression of Lamborghini’s iconic V12 supercar. Developed with significant motorsport influence, the GT featured aggressive aerodynamics, extensive carbon fibre construction and a 6.0-litre V12 producing 575 horsepower. For many Lamborghini collectors, this sits alongside the Miura SV and Murciélago SV as one of the marque’s most desirable road cars.
1966 Lola-Ford T70 MkII Can-Am Racing Spyder
Sale price not published by Bonhams
Among the most historically significant race cars offered was this Lola T70 MkII Can-Am Spyder. Estimated at US$1.1 million to US$1.5 million, the car boasts period links to motorsport legends including Dan Gurney and Jim Clark. The Chevrolet-powered T70 became one of the defining sports-racing cars of the 1960s and remains a favourite among historic racers and collectors alike.
1993 Jaguar XJ220
Sale price not published by Bonhams
The Jaguar XJ220 remains one of the most fascinating supercars ever produced. Originally developed as a V12 concept before reaching production with a twin-turbocharged V6, the XJ220 briefly held the title of the world’s fastest production car. With fewer than 300 examples built and values steadily appreciating, the model has earned renewed recognition as one of the defining supercars of the 1990s.
1987 Nissan Skyline HR31 GTS-R NISMO Group A
Sale price not published by Bonhams
For Japanese performance enthusiasts, few cars attracted more attention than the HR31 GTS-R. Built as a homologation special for Group A racing, only a limited number were produced to satisfy motorsport regulations. Featuring the turbocharged RB20DET-R engine and NISMO-backed development, the GTS-R effectively laid the foundations for the GT-R domination that would follow in the R32 era. Today they are among the most collectible Skylines outside the GT-R family.
2019 Toro Rosso-Honda STR19 Formula One Car
Sold for US$224,000 (A$343,000)
Modern Formula One cars rarely appear at public auction, making the sale of this Toro Rosso-Honda STR19 especially noteworthy. Representing the Honda-powered era of Formula One and carrying unmistakable Grand Prix pedigree, it offered enthusiasts a unique opportunity to own an authentic piece of contemporary F1 machinery. It ultimately sold for US$224,000 including premium.
Honourable Mention: 1995 Mercedes-Benz E60 AMG Limited
Sold for US$313,000 (A$479,000)
Before AMG became a wholly integrated part of Mercedes-Benz, cars like the E60 AMG Limited were hand-built, low-volume performance sedans reserved for those in the know. Powered by a monstrous 6.0-litre V8 and based on the legendary W124 platform, the E60 AMG has become one of the most sought-after AMG models ever produced. Its result of nearly half a million Australian dollars highlights the strength of the market for analogue 1990s performance icons.
As auction results from Monterey continue to demonstrate, the world’s most desirable collector cars are increasingly being viewed as both passion purchases and valuable assets. Whether it’s a Lamborghini Diablo GT worth more than A$3.7 million, a rare Nissan Skyline GTS-R, or a sought-after Mercedes-Benz AMG icon, ensuring these vehicles are protected with the right level of specialist cover is becoming more important than ever. At Famous Insurance, we share the enthusiasm that drives Australia’s automotive community and understand that protecting a vehicle’s history, originality and agreed value is just as important as protecting the vehicle itself.
Photos courtesy Bonhams
