Monterey Car Week is still months away, but the early auction car consignments for the RM Sotheby’s flagship sale are already giving us a clear picture of what to expect—and it’s shaping up to be a very different kind of year. Instead of modern hypercars dominating headlines, the first wave of announcements leans heavily into pre-war elegance, craftsmanship, and true blue-chip classics. That shift alone makes this year worth watching. If these early entries are any indication, Monterey 2026 could be a return to form, where the most important cars aren’t just fast or expensive, but significant to all of automotive history. Here are a few cars that are sure to be stars of the hammer drop.
1947 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Cabriolet by Figoni et Falaschi
Estimate: $1,900,000 – $2,500,000
This is the kind of car that defines Monterey. The Talbot-Lago T26 Record Cabriolet, styled by Figoni et Falaschi, represents the absolute peak of post-war French coachbuilding. With its flowing fenders, dramatic proportions, and unmistakable art-deco influence, it’s less a car and more a sculpture on wheels. Underneath the beauty is a sophisticated inline-six engine that made Talbot-Lago a serious performance contender in its day. Cars like this don’t come to market often, and when they do, they tend to set the tone for the entire auction.
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster
Estimate: $2,250,000 – $3,250,000
Widely regarded as one of the most advanced and luxurious cars of its era, the Duesenberg Model J. was the pinnacle of pre-war automotive engineering. The Tourster body by Derham Body Company of Rosemont, Pennsylvania, which built just eight examples, is especially desirable, offering open-air elegance combined with unmistakable presence. Duesenberg’s reputation for performance paired with its exclusivity makes any Model J a centerpiece at auction, and this one will likely draw serious attention from top-tier collectors.
1933 Stutz DV-32 Convertible Victoria
Estimate: $900,000 – $1,500,000
Stutz may not carry the same household recognition as Duesenberg today, but among collectors, the DV-32 is a heavyweight. Powered by a dual overhead cam inline-eight engine, it was one of the most technically advanced American cars of its time. The Convertible Victoria body adds another layer of desirability, combining performance with elegant coachwork. It’s the kind of car that rewards knowledgeable buyers—those who understand just how significant Stutz was in the early performance world.
1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster by Merrimac
Estimate: $225,000 – $275,000 (Offered Without Reserve)
The Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost earned its reputation as “the best car in the world,” and this 1923 Piccadilly Roadster by Merrimac offers a more sporting take on that legendary platform. Built during an era when coachbuilders tailored cars to their owners, its open roadster body brings a lighter, more engaging character to a chassis best known for refinement and durability. Powered by Rolls-Royce’s famously smooth inline-six, the Silver Ghost set the standard for reliability and engineering excellence in the early automotive age. Offered without reserve, this example stands out not just for its design and heritage, but for the rare ownership opportunity it presents! MORE: Who were Rolls and Royce?
1967 Lamborghini Miura P400 by Bertone
Estimate: $1,900,000 – $2,800,000
While the full classics seem to have filled the bill so far, few cars changed the automotive world like the Lamborghini Miura and it is deserved of a preview. Introduced in the mid-1960s, the Miura is widely considered the first true supercar, thanks to its revolutionary mid-engine layout and stunning design by Bertone. Powered by a transverse-mounted V12, the P400 delivered performance that rivaled—and in many ways surpassed—its contemporaries, all wrapped in one of the most beautiful bodies ever penned. Early Miuras like this 1967 example are especially desirable, representing the purest form of the design before later updates. At Monterey, this isn’t just another high-value car—it’s a cornerstone of modern performance history and a guaranteed centerpiece wherever it goes.
What will the price be when these RM Sotheby’s auction lots fall under the gavel at Monterey Car Week? Only time will tell. You can check out the full list of lots here.
