A lot of cars are expensive at retail, but even those insane prices are dwarfed by what some cars get at auction. Don’t believe us? Here are 10 of the most expensive cars ever sold at auction.
10. 1956 Aston Martin DBR1/1 - $22,550,000
There were only five DBR1s created and this was the first, the DBR1/1. Not only that, but it was the winner of the 1959 Nürburgring 1000km and was driven by legendary drivers like Jack Brabham, Carroll Shelby, and Stirling Moss among others.
This specific model is powered by a 3.0-litre 2,493cc RB6 engine capable of 212bhp at 7,000rpm, according to Sotheby’s.
It was sold in 2017 for an astonishing $22,550,000 USD.
9. 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale by Scaglietti – $26,400,000
This isn’t going to be the first Ferrari on this list, but this 275 GTB/C Speciale is unique. It is the first of only three Works Berlinetta Competizione built and is rarer than the prized 250 GTO. Of the three, this is the only one to ever go to auction with the other two unlikely to ever be sold.
Powering this is a Type 213/Comp 3,286 lightweight block V12 with six Weber 38 DCN carburettors capable of 320hp.
It was sold in 2014 for $26,400,000 at Sotheby’s.
8. 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S N.A.R.T Spider – $27,500,000
There are only ten N.A.R.T Spiders in existence and they are highly desirable, so much so that $27.5 million might even be considered a steal. This car has had one owner since it was new, Eddie Smith Sr. from North Carolina. It has matching numbers and has been fully restored.
Powering this bad boy is a 300 bhp 3,286cc four overhead-camshaft V-12 engine. It also features a five-speed manual transmission, four-wheel upper and lower wishbone independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, and tubular steel frame.
It was sold in 2013 for $27,500,000 at Sotheby’s.
7. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM by Scaglietti – $28,050,000
The 290 MM was crafted to compete in the World Sportscar Championship. The WSC started in 1953 and Ferrari were immediately successful, though in 1955, Mercedes-Benz threw their hat in the ring alongside Maserati. Ferrari needed a new weapon and thus the 290 MM was born.
It features a 320 bhp, 3,490cc SOHC 60-degree Type 130 dry-sump V-12 alongside a four-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with helical springs and an anti-roll bar, De Dion rear axle with transverse leaf spring, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
It was sold in 2015 for $28,050,000 at Sotheby’s.
6. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R F1 Racer – $29,600,000
This car was actually the most expensive car ever sold when it went to auction in 2013 for $29.6 million. It has been driven by racing legends like Juan Manuel Fangio and Hans Herrmann and was a very successful Formula 1 car, marking Germany’s first Grand Prix win since 1939 winning nine Grands Prix in 1954 and taking home both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship.
This is the only surviving W196 to have won two World Championship-qualifying Grand Prix race and was found in almost “barn-find” condition and capable of running after proper preparation, according to Bonhams.
5. 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti – $35,700,000
After Mercedes-Benz’s heroic comeback, Ferrari needed a new car to them on. Enter the 335 Sport. In 1957, this car allowed Ferrari to take home the Constructors’ World Championship. Like all old F1 cars this sold for a massive amount.
Powering this is a four-cam 3.8-litre V12 Tipo 140 engine, according to Artcurial.
4. 1962-3 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta – $38,115,000
Shortly after the Mercedes-Benz W196 smashed the auction record, in comes this 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO which sold for $38,115,000, according to Bonhams. It would go on to win the over 2,000cc FIA International Championship for GT Manufacturers in 1962, 1963, and 1964.
Powering this legend is a 2,953cc Tipo 168 Comp/62 V12 capable of 296hp at 7,500rpm.
3. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO by Scaglietti - $48,405,000
The GTO might genuinely be the most valuable cars in the world, or at least the most sought after. And yet, of all the GTOs, this specific example is considered by experts to be the most authentic and original of them all. This is the third of only 36 GTOs ever built and one of four GTOs upgraded by Scaglietti (with the Series II GTO/64) while also being one of seven cars to receive this specific coachwork.
During the 1962-1965 seasons, it took home over 15 class and overall wins. In contrast to the previous GTO, this example is powered by a 3.0-litre short-block Colombo V-1.
This sold in 2018 for $48,405,000 at Sotheby’s.
2. 1963 Ferrari 205 GTO - $70,000,000
We have another GTO on this list and this one’s value has increased dramatically for never having crashed in its 55-year lifetime. It competed in the 1963 Le Mans 24 Hours, Angolan Grand Prix, as well as winning the ’63 Tour de France.
It was sold via Bonhams for $70,000,000 in 2018, according to CNN.
1. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe – $142,769,250
When this 300 SLR went up for auction in 2022, Sotheby’s confirmed that it was the only 300 SLR that still exists in private hands. What makes this car even more special, is that this is a special creation designed by Mercedes-Benz designer, Uhlenhaut Coupe, hence the nickname.
At the time of its release, it was the fastest road-going car in the world with a top speed of 290km/h. This was restored by race preparation specialist, Tony Merrick, in 1986.
Powering it is a 3.0-litre, front-mounted, straight-eight engine with twin exhausts that exit via side-mounted gills positioned halfway across the length of the 300 SLR.
