Gooding & Company

Gooding & Company, LLC

Company type	Private
Industry	Auctioneering
Founded	2003 (2003) in Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Founder	David Gooding
Headquarters	Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Key people	David Gooding (President)
Products	Automobiles
Services	Auctioneering, appraisals, private sales, estate planning, financial services
Parent	Christie's
Website	goodingco.com

Gooding & Company, LLC is a classic automobile auction firm based in Santa Monica, California. Established in 2003, this company has set numerous records for the highest prices achieved at car auctions worldwide. In addition to auctions, it offers services such as private treaty sales, estate planning, and vehicle appraisals. Since 2004, Gooding & Company has been designated as the official auctioneer for the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Furthermore, it acts as the official auction partner for the Concours of Elegance held at Hampton Court Palace in London since 2021. The firm also organizes annual auctions in Amelia Island, Florida. Presently, it holds world auction price records for twelve automobile brands including Duesenberg, Porsche, Ferrari, Bugatti, McLaren, and RUF.

History

David Gooding launched Gooding & Company in 2003 following his tenure as managing director of the International Motor Sports division at Christie’s and President of RM Auctions. The company's first auction took place at Pebble Beach in 2004. Serving as the official auction house for the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, its weekend sales play a crucial role in shaping global collector car market trends and pricing insights. Since its founding, Gooding & Company has established multiple world records for vehicles sold at auction.

In 2024, British auction house Christie's completed the acquisition of Gooding & Company.

Noteworthy Auctions

• In 2023, Gooding & Company achieved the highest auction price for a vehicle with the sale of a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider during its Amelia Island event in March. This California Spider commanded a price exceeding 18 million dollars.
• Following the pause in live auctions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gooding & Company attracted significant attention at its 2021 Pebble Beach Auctions by selling the two most valuable cars that year: a 1995 McLaren F1 fetched over 20 million dollars, while a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione sold for upwards of 10 million USD.
• On September 5, 2020, Gooding & Company auctioned a 1934-built Bugatti T59 for a record-breaking £8.5 million. This particular vehicle was part of Bugatti's racing team during 1934-1935 and, driven by René Dreyfus, secured victory at the Belgian Grand Prix in 1934. Subsequently, Bugatti transformed it into a sportscar and it was purchased by King Leopold III of Belgium.
• During the Pebble Beach Auctions in August 2018, Gooding & Company established new benchmarks for the priciest Duesenberg, prewar automobile, and American car sold at auction. The record-setting vehicle was the former Gary Cooper’s 1935 Duesenberg SSJ.
• In May 2010, Gooding & Company facilitated the private transaction of a 1936 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic for over $30 million, marking it as the highest amount paid for a car at that time.