Automotive
Mercedes-Benz is using the 2026 Pebble Beach Automotive Week to celebrate both where it has been and where it believes collector-car culture is headed next. Marking 140 years since the Benz Patent-Motorwagen helped launch the automobile as we know it, the German automaker will arrive in Monterey with an unusually broad mix of historic machinery, modern performance cars and highly personalized luxury models. At the center of the display is the new Mercedes-Benz Future Classics Auction House, a showcase built around a compelling question for enthusiasts: Which of today’s cars will become the prized collectibles of tomorrow?
The Future Classics Auction House takes inspiration from the atmosphere of high-end collector-car auctions, but instead of focusing only on machines from decades past, Mercedes-Benz will fill the space with modern vehicles it believes have the ingredients to become future icons. The lineup includes the wild Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed, AMG G 63 Galactic Pearl, technologically staggering AMG ONE and several vehicles highlighting the customization possibilities offered through Mercedes-Benz MANUFAKTUR. It is an interesting approach at Pebble Beach, where much of the conversation naturally centers on provenance, restoration and historic significance. Mercedes is effectively asking collectors to consider what those same values might look like 20 or 30 years from now.
One of the most attention-grabbing cars in the display will be a Mercedes-Maybach S 680 created as a near-identical twin of LeBron James’ personal car. The highly individualized Maybach was developed through the MANUFAKTUR Made to Measure program and wears an exclusive light ivory non-metallic exterior over a blue Stormy Weather Nappa leather cabin with porcelain-colored contrast stitching. Personal touches include James’ own emblem replacing the traditional V12 badging along with subtle engravings referencing his hometown of Akron, Ohio, and his family. Following Pebble Beach, the specially commissioned S 680 is expected to be auctioned later this year to support the LeBron James Family Foundation and its I PROMISE initiatives.
That Maybach also provides a strong example of where the highest end of the luxury market is heading. Buyers increasingly expect more than choosing an exterior color and checking boxes on an options sheet, and MANUFAKTUR Made to Measure is Mercedes-Benz’s answer to that demand. Customers can work directly with specialists to develop personalized colors, materials, stitching, embroidery and other handcrafted details. Mercedes-Benz recently expanded that experience in the United States with its first domestic MANUFAKTUR Made to Measure hub at Mercedes-Benz Studio Los Angeles in Beverly Hills. It is only the second such facility worldwide, following the brand’s Center of Excellence in Sindelfingen, Germany.
Of course, Pebble Beach would hardly feel complete without Mercedes-Benz bringing out some genuinely significant machinery from its archives. The one-of-one 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Streamliner will lead the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance on August 13, showing off the remarkable aerodynamic thinking that was emerging from Mercedes-Benz before World War II. The brand will also display the last known surviving 1905 American Mercedes, an especially interesting piece of history because it was built in Queens, New York, making it one of the earliest high-performance automobiles manufactured in the United States. The car has undergone an extensive restoration by the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Long Beach.
Other heritage highlights will span virtually the entire history of the company. The original Benz Patent-Motorwagen will represent the beginning of the automobile itself, while a 1938 Mercedes-Benz 320 Streamliner Sedan, Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II, 300 SL Roadster and CLK 63 AMG Black Series illustrate how dramatically the performance-car formula evolved over the following decades. The 320 Streamliner will also share space with the new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe at Legends of the Autobahn, creating the sort of old-versus-new comparison that makes Monterey Car Week especially entertaining for enthusiasts.
Mercedes-Benz has an unusually deep history at Pebble Beach, and bringing together cars such as the 540K Streamliner with the AMG ONE and a bespoke Maybach S 680 makes that history feel less like a static museum exhibit. The more interesting message is that collectibility is constantly being created in real time. Special engineering, rarity, memorable design and a compelling story are often what separate yesterday’s used cars from today’s seven-figure collectibles. With its Future Classics Auction House, Mercedes-Benz is inviting Pebble Beach visitors to decide for themselves which of its current machines might eventually earn a place beside the legends.
Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate enthusiast with over 15 years of experience immersed in the world of cars. Whether it’s exploring the latest advancements in automotive technology or keeping a close pulse on breaking industry news, Lloyd brings a sharp perspective and a deep appreciation for all things automotive. His writing blends technical insight with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions both informative and engaging for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or under the hood, Lloyd enjoys test driving the newest models and staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive landscape.
