Bonhams had sold cars at Quail Lodge every Monterey Car Week since 2003. For 2026 it moved the entire sale to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, ending an arrangement that had run 23 years.
Broad Arrow went the other direction. After four years at the Monterey Jet Center, it becomes the official auction partner of the Quail and takes over the ground Bonhams left.
Five houses hold sales between Thursday, August 13 and Saturday, August 15. Two of them are working from new addresses.
Key Takeaways
- Bonhams moved to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca after 23 years at Quail Lodge, putting its Thursday sale inside the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.
- Broad Arrow becomes the Quail’s official auction partner, running a two-day sale of roughly 175 cars at Quail Golf Club on August 13 and 14.
- RM Sotheby’s runs the longest program: three consecutive evening sessions August 13 to 15 at the Monterey Conference Center.
- Mecum brings the largest catalog, roughly 600 cars plus about 100 vintage and antique motorcycles.
- Gooding Christie’s charges $50 for general admission covering viewing and both sessions. Children under 12 are free.
- Headline lots include Clark Gable’s 1935 Duesenberg and a 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato estimated at $12 million to $15 million.
- Viewing rooms are the bargain. Most open days ahead of bidding at little or no cost.
Why Bonhams Moved
The Quail sale was a fixture. Bonhams and its predecessor Brooks had held sales at or near Quail Lodge for close to three decades, and the Thursday auction was scheduled to run alongside the Quail gathering itself.
“Monterey is one of our flagship global sales in the calendar, and the location of the auction is hugely important,” said Whitney Maxwell, global managing director at Bonhams Cars.
Laguna Seca puts the sale inside a race weekend rather than beside a garden party. Bonhams already had a 15-year relationship with the circuit, and the Thursday timing now lands in the middle of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, where roughly 550 historic race cars are running.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to celebrating automotive history and delivering exceptional experiences,” said Mel Harder, president and general manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
The audience is different at a circuit. Whether competition-car consignments do better in front of people who spent the day watching historic racing is the bet Bonhams has placed.
What Broad Arrow Gets
Broad Arrow inherits the venue and the association. Its Friday session runs during the 23rd edition of the Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, which caps attendance and starts admission at $3,800.
The catalog is deliberately smaller than its rivals at roughly 175 cars, described as ranging from prewar and postwar classics through motorsport machinery, rare supercars, and modern collectibles.
In-person bidder registration is $300, which includes admission for two, a paddle, and a catalog. Telephone, absentee, and internet bidding are free.
All Five Sales
| House | Dates | Venue | Bidding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonhams | Thu., Aug. 13 | WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Salinas | Thursday |
| Broad Arrow | Aug. 13-14 | Quail Golf Club, Carmel | Thursday and Friday |
| RM Sotheby’s | Aug. 13-15 | Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza | Thu. 6 p.m.; Fri. 5:30 p.m.; Sat. 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. |
| Mecum | Aug. 13-15 | Hyatt Regency Monterey / Del Monte Golf Course | Thursday through Saturday |
| Gooding Christie’s | Aug. 14-15 | Parc du Concours, Pebble Beach | Fri. 4 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m. |
Viewing Schedules
| House | Viewing |
|---|---|
| Bonhams | From August 11, during the Pre-Reunion weekend |
| Broad Arrow | Wed. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thu. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Fri. 9-11 a.m. |
| RM Sotheby’s | Wed. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thu.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. |
| Mecum | Gates 8 a.m. daily |
| Gooding Christie’s | Wed. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thu. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. |
Confirm before traveling for a lot. Bonhams and Mecum had not published final start times for every 2026 session at publication, and catalogs shift as consignments close. Check with the house directly.
What Is Crossing the Block
RM Sotheby’s
Clark Gable’s 1935 Duesenberg carries the celebrity provenance, and a 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato carries a $12 million to $15 million estimate. Nineteen DB4 GT Zagatos were built originally, which is the entire explanation for the number.
The house runs an evening session each night Thursday through Saturday, plus a separate Concierge Auctions sale at 3 p.m. Saturday.
Mecum
Roughly 600 cars and about 100 vintage and antique motorcycles, spanning prewar classics through modern supercars. Announced highlights include a 1933 Duesenberg Model J and a 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra.
The motorcycle side is worth attention this year. Mecum is offering a 1972 Ducati 750 Imola racer at the head of a group of rare Ducatis.
Gooding Christie’s
The official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours, selling at Parc du Concours on the corner of Stevenson Drive and Portola Road. A 1966 Ferrari 275 GTS and a 1957 Maserati 200SI have been announced.
General admission is $50 and admits one to all events, credit card only, with children under 12 free. Buyer’s premium runs 12 percent up to $250,000, then 12 percent on the first $250,000 plus 10 percent above that. Automobilia carries a 25 percent premium.
Broad Arrow
A 1954 Maserati A6GCS racer and a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster head the first Quail catalog.
Bonhams
A 1936 Cord experimental cabriolet leads, alongside a group of competition cars that suit the new venue.
The Free Version
Bidding requires registration and, at most houses, money. Looking does not.
Viewing rooms open days before the hammer falls and are generally free or inexpensive to enter. Gooding Christie’s is the notable exception at $50, and that fee covers both auction sessions as well.
For anyone unwilling to spend $650 on a Concours ticket or $3,800 on the Quail, the preview rooms are where a hundred million dollars of cars sit at arm’s length with nobody checking a wristband.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many auctions are there during Monterey Car Week 2026?
Five, running August 13 to 15: Bonhams, Broad Arrow, RM Sotheby’s, Mecum, and Gooding Christie’s.
Why did Bonhams leave Quail Lodge?
To move its Monterey sale inside the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, extending an existing 15-year relationship with the circuit. The sale had been at Quail Lodge since 2003.
Where is the Broad Arrow auction in 2026?
Quail Golf Club in Carmel, on August 13 and 14. Broad Arrow is now the official auction partner of the Quail, having previously sold at the Monterey Jet Center.
How much does it cost to attend an auction?
It varies. Gooding Christie’s charges $50 for general admission covering viewing and both sessions, with under-12s free. Broad Arrow’s in-person bidder registration is $300 and includes admission for two, a paddle, and a catalog. Most viewing rooms are free or low cost.
What is the most expensive car announced?
A 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato at RM Sotheby’s, estimated at $12 million to $15 million.
Which auction has the most cars?
Mecum, with roughly 600 vehicles plus about 100 vintage and antique motorcycles.
Can I bid without attending?
Yes. Broad Arrow offers free telephone, absentee, and internet bidding. Other houses run comparable remote options.
What is Gooding Christie’s buyer’s premium?
Twelve percent up to $250,000, then 12 percent on the first $250,000 plus 10 percent on the amount above. Automobilia lots carry 25 percent.
Which auction house is tied to the Pebble Beach Concours?
Gooding Christie’s, the official auction house of the Concours, selling at Parc du Concours on August 14 and 15.
When do the viewing rooms open?
Most open Wednesday, August 12. Bonhams opens earlier, from August 11 during the Pre-Reunion weekend. Gooding Christie’s runs viewing Wednesday through Saturday.
Are there motorcycles at the Monterey auctions?
Yes. Mecum is offering roughly 100 vintage and antique motorcycles, headed by a 1972 Ducati 750 Imola racer.
Two Houses, One Swap
The most interesting thing about the 2026 Monterey auction week happened before any consignment was announced. Bonhams walked away from 23 years at Quail Lodge to sell inside a race weekend, and Broad Arrow took the ground it left, along with the official partnership.
For anyone attending, the practical advice has not changed. The cars are best seen in the viewing rooms, days before the hammer, when the doors are open and admission is close to free.
Michael Kahn
Michael Kahn is the writer, photographer, and publisher behind The Weekly Driver. He cares about how cars drive and what they're like to own. He covers automobile industry news, car shows and events, and new car reviews. The reviews come from behind the wheel: day trips that favor back routes, treating a good meal as half the reason to go. He directs and produces the visual media, matching each car to a setting and mood that fit it. When he's not reviewing new cars, Michael races paddleboards, camels, and ostriches, along with the occasional exotic car on the racetrack, and has driven in every state and country visited.
https://theweeklydriver.com