No reserve? No problem
Hundreds of classic cars will cross the block during Monterey Car Week in California, USA, from 8-17 August 2025.
Five of the biggest auction houses (Bonhams|Cars, Gooding Christie’s, RM Sotheby’s, Mecum and Broad Arrow) will be there and in their packed catalogues are some lots being offered with no reserve – meaning there could be some great deals ready and waiting to be snapped up.
From a one-off Rolls-Royce to a Renault 4CV Jolly, here are some of the classics going under the hammer without a pre-determined asking price – although we’ve provided a pre-sale estimate where possible.
The cars are listed in chronological order. Enjoy!
Prices are given GBP£ and US$, and all conversions were correct at the time of writing
1. 1908 White Model L (est: £75-112,000/$100-150,000)
This steam-powered car is one of the oldest vehicles being offered in the Gooding Christie’s sale at the Pebble Beach concours from 15-16 August.
Amazingly, the 1908 White Model L has been part of the same family since it was new, and it’s one of just 12 remaining examples.
Tragically, first owner William Mohr, his wife and three others were killed in a friend’s car in 1923.
His daughter, Marian Mohr, was the only survivor. She stored the family’s White Model L in a barn, where it’s been ever since.
2. 1936 Alvis Speed 25 SB (est: £105-130,000/$140-180,000)
There are plenty of unusual door designs in the classic car world.
Gullwing-, scissor- and butterfly-style openings are among the well-known quirky configurations, but have you heard of the ‘parallel door’, as seen on this Alvis?
The door is pushed outwards, then slides back, parallel to the rear wheelarch.
This 1936 Alvis Speed 25 SB is for sale in the RM Sotheby’s auction at Monterey Conference Center from 15-16 August.
It is the only one with bodywork by E Bertelli of Farnham, a coachbuilder in Surrey, UK.
3. 1961 Renault 4CV Jolly (est: £37-52,000/$50-70,000)
Influenced by Ghia’s Fiat 500 Jolly, this open-top Renault is a late 4CV, turned into a charming runabout for high days and holidays.
It has wicker seats, a 747cc, four-cylinder engine and a three-speed gearbox.
This snazzy-looking Renault will cross the block in the Bonhams|Cars sale at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club on 15 August 2025.
4. 1965 Rolls-Royce Phantom V by James Young (est: £93-130,000/$125-175,000)
This rather fetching Rolls-Royce was the only Phantom V fitted with this style of James Young bodywork.
Kitted out with an air-conditioning system, power-adjustable seats and a Motorola tape player, this car was first shown to the public at the 1965 Earls Court motor show.
Now you can see it in the Broad Arrow auction at Monterey Jet Center from 13-14 August.
5. 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge (est: £112-150,000/$150-200,000)
Unveiled in an attempt to reverse the decline in Pontiac GTO sales, ‘The Judge’ was introduced in 1969.
The name was a nod to singer Sammy Davis Jnr’s catchphrase on American TV show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, and Pontiac bosses hoped that this pop-culture reference would boost enthusiasm for the model.
It was available with two V8 options and this car, consigned to the Bonhams|Cars sale, is fitted with the more powerful Ram Air IV motor.
What’s more, this restored example was one of just 58 equipped with GM’s Turbo Hydra-Matic gearbox.
6. 1971 Fiat Dino 2400 Spider (est: £185-220,000/$250-300,000)
In the 1960s, Ferrari teamed up with Fiat to help sell its new V6 engine, with one eye on homologating it for Formula Two competition.
The relationship with the Torinese car maker was a marriage of convenience, and Fiat gained by creating a striking front-engined GT around the Ferrari V6.
According to RM Sotheby’s, who’s selling this car, this Dino 2400 Spider was one of around 425 examples sold new in Italy.
7. 1974 Honda Z600 (est: £18,600-26,000/$25-35,000)
Despite its size, this Pop Orange Honda Z600 will still stand out at a car show.
This European-market car (fewer than 1000 were destined for the Continent) has just 41,141km (25,564 miles) on the clock and was part of a German collection of Honda models between 1976 and 2023.
It will be offered with no reserve in the Broad Arrow sale.
8. 1983 Lamborghini Countach 5000S (est: £440-500,000/$600-700,000)
For the Countach 5000S, Lamborghini enlarged its Bizzarrini-designed V12 to 4754cc and fitted larger Weber carburettors.
Apparently, just 321 were built and this was the 269th off the production line.
The current owner has spent $36,000 (c£26,800) on this car since October 2024, plus it has a certificate of authenticity from Lamborghini Polo Storico.
9. 1999 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG (£55,800-74,400/$75-100,000)
This 210-series Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG belonged to its first custodian until 2024, when it was bought by its second owner, who recommissioned it.
A full service, new tyres, an interior refurbishment and more have restored this 1012-mile car’s showroom-fresh appeal.
Now it just needs to find a new keeper to enjoy the 5.4-litre V8’s 349bhp output and thunderous soundtrack.
Any takers? It will be offered, with no reserve, in the Broad Arrow auction.
10. 2002 Dodge Viper GTS (est: N/A)
This one-of-350, run-out, Final Edition Dodge Viper has covered just 470 miles (756km) since it was new.
The closed-roof car has a six-speed manual gearbox, an 8-litre V10 – developed with help from Lamborghini – and evocative Stone White racing stripes on its bright, red paint.
Will it find a winning bidder that will stretch its legs? It will go under the hammer with Mecum Auctions at the Del Monte Golf Course from 14-16 August – this auction house doesn’t supply guide prices.