THE OLDEST Surviving Bentley known to be in existence (main image, below), chassis number three, is joining the Duesenberg Whittell Coupe (see pages 68-76) at the top of Gooding & Company’s lot list.

The amazing 1921 Bentley 3 Litre, the first customer car, also sports engine number 4 and its original documentation, and retains its original brass and plated-steel brightwork as well as its aluminium bodywork. It’s a hugely important car, not just to Bentley aficionados.

Other show stars include a 1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS, which has been the subject of a $ 700,000 rebuild – and is ready for historic racing. But at an estimated $ 1,000,000-1,300,000, would you want to? The 1953 Ferrari 375 with coachwork by Vignale, is likely to make a big splash at the auction, too. It is one of four created and the last of three wearing Vignale coachwork. Its estimate is $ 2,000,000-2,400,000.

After the big prices paid for 300SLs at Amelia Island, Gooding & Company is hoping for more of the same with its 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster. They’ve always lagged behind Gullwings but, even so, the US auction house is estimating $ 700,000-850,000.

For details on the Monterey sale, see www.goodingco.com.