Sure, it was a pair of Ferraris that sold for the top dollar, a bespoke Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta and a Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione with Le Mans history, both hammering for $9,465,000. That’s no major surprise. However, several cars failed to meet their estimated values, and a few exceeded them. Here are 20 of those biggest surprises.

Missed Expectations

10. 1962 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL

Gooding & Company
Estimate: $225,000-$275,000
Actual: $131,600
Difference: -41.51%

Overall, many Mercedes fell short of their estimates, and it didn’t matter which auction house’s block they crossed. For example, this 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (-27.20%) and several AMGs (more on that later). However, one bright spot was a 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda that sold for 17.09% over its estimate.

9. 1963 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8-Litre Roadster

Gooding & Company
Estimate: $225,000-$275,000
Actual: $148,400
Difference: -34.04%

Has the E-type, the car many refer to as one of the most beautiful ever, lost its luster? It’s not just this example, either. Among those that missed the mark, is a 1961 (-33.71%) and another 1961 (-29.71%). Or maybe it’s the marque, as a famed Jaguar D-type works race car sold for $2,205,000 less than its estimate.

8. 1960 Chevrolet Corvette 283/290 “Fuelie” Camoradi USA Factory Race Car

Broad Arrow Auctions
Estimate: $1,000,000-$1,300,000
Actual: $582,200
Difference: -41.75%

This Corvette podiumed in its class at both Le Mans and Sebring. It also earned awards at The Amelia, NCRS and Audrain. Did that make it worthy of seven figures? Apparently not.

7. 2007 Ferrari F430 GTC

Gooding & Company
Estimate: $700,000-$800,000
Actual: $384,500
Difference: -45.07%

They made only 24 examples of the GTC between 2006 and 2010. This one sold for $315,500 less than its estimate.

6. 1973 Citroen SM

Gooding & Company
Estimate: $60,000-$80,000
Actual: $31,360
Difference: -47.73%

This Citroën and a 1957 DS19 sold for nearly half of the low end of their estimates. The quirky styling certainly is an acquired taste. One Citroen did exceed expectations, though, a 1973 SM (+12%), which was recently restored.

5. 1929 Packard 645 Deluxe Eight Phaeton

Gooding & Company
Estimate: $125,000-$175,000
Actual: $62,720
Difference: -49.82%

Want to get on the showfield at a highly regarded concours such as The Amelia? This Packard has done it before, yet, it sold for less than six figures.

4. 1942 Chrysler Windsor Town and Country Barrelback

Gooding & Company
Estimate: $250,000-$325,000
Actual: $117,600
Difference: -52.96%

Woodies hold a special place in American automotive lore, whether from the 1940s or from the 1980s. This one didn’t turn on buyers as expected, nor did a 1947 Chrysler Town and Country Sedan (-48.8%), a 1947 Chrysler Town and Country Convertible (-33.50%) and a 1950 Chrysler Town and Country Coupe (-32.80%). It wasn’t just the Chryslers, either, as a 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster "Woodie" Station Wagon (-32.80%) missed, too.

3. 1951 Tomshe-Offenhauser “Bardahl Special” by Silnes

Broad Arrow Auctions
Estimate: $100,000-$125,000
Actual: $44,800
Difference: -55.2%

Built to compete in the 1951 Indy 500 and steered by hall-of-fame midget racer Ray Knepper, that wasn’t enough to have this car break six figures.

2. 1989 Mercedes-Benz AMG 300 CE 6.0 “Hammer”

Gooding & Company
Estimate: $1,500,000-$2,000,000
Actual: $665,000
Difference: -55.67%

It wasn’t Hammer time at hammer time. This example missed to the tune of $835,000. A 1988 example missed by $497,000. There’s also a 1995 Mercedes-Benz S 600 AMG (-44%), 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC AMG 6.0 (-37%) and a 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL AMG (-32.80%). Overall, the rad-era AMGs missed the mark.

1. 1923 Marmon Model 34 Speedster

Gooding & Company
Estimate: $70,000-$90,000
Actual: $23,520
Difference: -66.40%

Despite single-family ownership for nearly 60 years and being a “charmingly preserved” example, buyers didn’t react.

Exceeded Expectations

10. 1952 Porsche 356 1500 Super Coupe

Gooding & Company
Estimate: $150,000-$200,000
Actual: $235,200
Difference: +17.6%

A 1954 Porsche 356 1500 Coupe from the same collection, once retained by the automaker and sporting a show-quality restoration sold for 27.82% less than its estimate. This example, though, an eight-time 1000 Miglia participant, beat its estimate.

9. 2000 Honda S2000

Broad Arrow Auctions
Estimate: $60,000-$80,000
Actual: $95,200
Difference: +19%

Japanese imports are on the rise, and the vaunted Honda S2000 is among those cars. This one only has 42 miles on it.

8. 1979 Volkswagen Super Beetle Convertible

Broad Arrow Auctions
Estimate: $50,000-$75,000
Actual: $89,600
Difference: +19.47%

How much can a Beetle be worth? They made 21.5 million of them, after all. This one has just 22 miles, and is on its original tires, and sold for 19.47% over estimate. Other Beetles didn’t fare as well, such as a 1952 Volkswagen Beetle De Luxe Sedan (-26.77%) and a 1959 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet (-25.33%).

7. 1963 Superformance Sebring Edition Shelby Cobra Continuation

Broad Arrow Auctions
Estimate: $140,000-$180,000
Actual: $215,600
Difference: +19.78%

This may be a continuation Shelby Cobra, but it’s no ordinary one. It’s one of 15 that paid tribute to racer Dan Gurney, and it only has 61 miles.

6. 1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS

Gooding & Company
Estimate: $1,500,000-$1,800,000
Actual: $2,205,000
Difference: +22.5%

If a famed Porsche wins an 82-hour race, that must mean something right? Apparently, it meant more than expected, to the tune of $405,000 more.

5. 1910 Buick Model 10 Toy Tonneau

Gooding & Company
Estimate: $30,000-$40,000
Actual: $50,400
Difference: +26%

Some say the values of Brass era cars are on the decline. Here’s an example that bucks that thought, with the model that put Buick on the map.

4. 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Newmarket

Gooding & Company
Estimate: $100,000-$130,000
Actual: $168,000
Difference: +29.23%

It doesn’t seem like you can go wrong with a Rolls-Royce, especially when it’s got Pebble Beach credentials.

3. 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900 C SS Worblaufen Cabriolet

Broad Arrow Auctions
Estimate: $125,000-$175,000
Actual: $235,200
Difference: +34.4%

Described as “Italian engineering and Swiss coachwork united on one of the most desirable 1900-series chassis.” A buyer seemed to agree. Interestingly, an Alfa of similar vintage, a 1956 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce Alleggerita, sold for 32.8% less than estimate.

2. 2004 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale

Gooding & Company
Estimate: $250,000-$325,000
Actual: $445,000
Difference: +36.93%

Expect to see the 2000s cars start to gain in value. This Ferrari was a one-owner car with just 12,390 miles on the clock.

1. 1957 Volvo PV 444

Broad Arrow Auctions
Estimate: $10,000-$15,000
Actual: $22,400
Difference: +49.33%

We noted this Volvo PV 444 as one of our five cars to watch during The Amelia auction. While estimated as the car that would cross the block at the lowest bid, instead it came at fourth lowest, thanks to a 1918 Hudson Super-Six Limousine ($16,800), 1957 Citroën DS19 ($21,280) and a 1934 Ford V8 Deluxe Sedan ($21,280).