The 25 Most Expensive Cars Ever Sold At Auction

In the vast more-than-century-long history of the automobile, countless significant and noteworthy models have been produced. Of the millions of four-wheelers that have been built, however, a prestigious and elite few stand out above the rest. Whether it’s due to ultra-low production output, a legendary race pedigree, or a number of other variable factors, these cars have emerged as the most valuable ever to trade hands. And with so many elite auction houses holding high-profile sales events each year, it can be difficult to take stock of the these dream machines, or the absurd amounts of money being spent on them.

So, with this in mind, we’ve poured into the vehicular history books to bring you the 25 most expensive cars ever sold at auction. Each of these vehicles has crossed the auction block in the last eight-years, and the vast majority of them were produced in the 1950s and 1960s. The lion’s share of these vehicles also come from either Italian or German manufacturers, though there are exceptions, as well as a few noticeable model trends. We’re also going to be looking at both the original winning bid figures, as well as the amounts adjusted for inflation.

It can be difficult to wrap your head around the idea of someone dropping tens of millions of dollars on a single car — and one that’s over half-a-century-old, too. The reality is, however, that there are a number of factors that collectively go into determining the ultimate value of a car when it goes to auction (also known as a “valuation”). Below, we’ll explore the most important of those elements.

Production: The original production of a car plays an immensely important role in determining its value. The fewer specimens produced, the more valuable a vehicle tends to be. Then, there are details such as original factory options, premium-spec variants, models with bodies from aftermarket coachbuilders, etc. A car’s overall rarity is an enormous part of its value.

Design & Aesthetics: While rarity and pedigree undeniably play crucial roles in calculating a car’s value, a vehicle’s aesthetic design also plays a surprisingly big part. Simply put, a more attractive automotive design will typically trump less aesthetically-pleasing cars in value. This obviously isn’t in any way the end-all-be-all of a car’s value, though the visual factor definitely plays its role.

Condition & Originality: A car’s condition plays an enormous role in its overall value at auction. The state of the engine, running gear, bodywork, paint, interior, etc, all play pivotal roles in determining a vehicle’s monetary worth. Just as important is whether or not a vehicle is all-original, or if it’s been restored, and if so, who was responsible for its restoration, as well as the quality of said restoration.

History & Pedigree: Quite possibly the most important factor to take into consideration after year, make, and model, history tells you everything about a car since it left the factory. Factors in a car’s history that add to its value include ownership, such as if it was owned by a noteworthy celebrity or racer, its prior recognitions and awards, such as winning a best-of at a concours event, and competition use, such as if it was raced by a famous driver, belonged to a historically-significant team or won a prestigious event such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Monza, or Monaco Grand Prix.

Documentation: While history is king, it’s worth very, very little without the proper documentation to back it up. The cars that find their way onto the most-expensive-ever-sold list are all thoroughly authenticated with ample records and documentation to validate and prove their prior use, ownership, upkeep, accident, and restoration history. This includes invoices and recipes, official DMV paperwork (and other government records), factory documentation, sales information, competition documentation, records from marque historians, and so on.

Manufacturer: Just as important as the model is its make. The marque that produced a vehicle is obviously of upmost importance, especially if it’s a historically-significant company, and/or if a vehicle was produced during a particularly noteworthy era for whatever brand. A marque’s continued existence can also help to bolster an old vehicle’s value, though some are considered to be more valuable than others. You may notice this list is chock-full of vintage examples from Ferrari, though a specimen from its primary Italian modern-day supercar competitor is nowhere to be found in the top 25 (or even in the top 100), demonstrating a very blatant trend in terms of the value placed on certain manufacturers.

Use & Eligibility: While cars on the list of the most expensive vehicles ever sold will almost certainly be used very seldom, (if at all, at least outside of display-piece duties), it can add a good deal of value to a specimen if it’s eligible for use in various vintage race series. Some can even go for eligibility for a particular parade or festival.

Time Of The Year: While records have been set in every month of the year (with the exception of October), there are certain annual periods in which auction records are most routinely set. Events like Monterey Car Week and the Goodwood Festival serve as something of motorsport pilgrimages, attracting droves of diehard auto enthusiasts and bidders that all converge on these locations. Bigger crowds and more bidders — both on-site and those bidding remotely — consequently leads to more intense bidding wars, which is why we see so many records set during the Summer of each year.

Economy: Unsurprisingly, the state of the global economy also plays a fairly large role in all of this. Eight-figure vehicles are obviously passion purchases, but they’re also investments, and fairly solid ones at that. The buyers of these ultra-exorbitant vehicles know that they will typically retain, or exceed their initial investment. In more turbulent financial times, there’s much less of a drive to invest in super high-dollar vehicles, as it’s seen as a bit riskier. There’s also simply more money to be thrown around during the more prosperous financial periods.

The Personal Angle & Randomness: There are times when an elite car ends up fetching a good deal more than its projected value. We don’t want to say more than it’s actual “worth,” because ultimately a car is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. Furthermore, there are times when two or more deep-pocketed bidders have their hearts set on a particular car, and as a result will sometimes bid far above a car’s value. And when this occurs with an elite enough vehicle, this can give way to new auction records.

A beautiful Marcel Massini-documented and Ferrari Classiche Department-certified example of an exceedingly rare model: this 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C was just one of a dozen GTB/C (/Competizione) specimens that were built. Still sporting its original factory chassis and Scaglietti coachwork, this example was campaigned in races in its native Italy over the course of the 1966, ’67, ’68, ’69, and ’70 seasons where it took a myriad of race and event wins. Bestowed with then-cutting-edge four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes and four-wheel independent suspension with coil-springs and shocks, the 275 GTB/C featured a 3,286 CC Type 213/Comp SOHC V-12 engine that inhaled via a trio of Weber 40 DFI/3 carburetors and was married to a five-speed Transaxle transmission with a limited-slip differential. This example has been wonderfully restored by the crack team at Wisconsin’s Motion Products Inc. — a restoration that was later awarded at Pebble Beach. This specimen also formally belonged to noted Italian race car driver, Renzo Sinibaldi.

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Though it is the second-lowest-priced vehicle on this list, this 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider still fetched a whopping $15.18M, exceeding its initial valuation by over $2M. Winner of numerous highly-elite concours and rally car events, this example features a complex 2,953cc, single overhead cam, Tipo 168/61 V-12 engine with Weber carbs and a four-speed gearbox that is good for a cool 240hp at the 7,000rpm mark. The vehicle’s potent V-12 is backed by independent coil-spring suspension out front, while out in back bumps are soaked up via a live-rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf-spring — both of which boast tubular shock absorbers. Certified by the Ferrari Classiche Department, this ’61 specimen also features a rare hardtop, as well as covered-headlights — the latter of which only appeared on a total of 37 factory examples.

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When the F1 was first dreamed up in the late 1980s, the concept was to deliver the ultimate in automotive performance, borrowing liberally from Formula One racing technology to whip-up the most advanced road-going car ever conceived. And by all accounts, McLaren delivered on this goal in spades, unleashing what remained the most competent supercar in the world for over a decade after its initial release. Boasting a whopping 5,000 individual components that were crafted specially for the F1 project from a myriad of exotic materials, the car featured what is arguably one of, if not the greatest-designed modern engine of all time, an absolutely bulletproof, BMW-designed, gold-laden, 627hp 6,064cc DOHC V-12 with sequential closed-loop fuel-injection and a six-speed manual transaxle that allowed for speeds in excess of 200mph. The newest vehicle on this list, this ultra-high-performance McLaren also got F1-derived four-wheel independent suspension and drilled and vented Brembo disc brakes.

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Backed by ample documentation and certified by the Ferrari Classiche Department, this very 250 Testa Rossa was the very first example ever produced. The vehicle was built as a prototype for the world-famous Scuderia Ferrari Team, and is one of the effort’s rare and highly-sought-after competition specimens. After initially leaving the race team’s shop, this example spent eight seasons being campaigned in high-level competition by some of the greatest race car drivers of all time. Adorned in the 1958 Le Mans NART livery, this car features a 3.0L Tipo 128 LM V-12 engine that puts down 300hp. The example was restored by the world-class team at Dennison International, before going on to take home first place in its class at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance (in 2006).

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One of the most iconic designs from one of the era’s most respected coach builders, this 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Speciale is adorned in bodywork from Carrozzeria Bertone that was reportedly inspired by the Prancing Horse marque’s earlier “Sharknose” race cars. Making this specimen all the more noteworthy is the fact that it was the personal car of Nuccio Bertone, who owned and operated the famous Turin-based coach building outfit after it was passed down to him by his father, Giovanni Bertone. More recently, this example has been crowned with numerous highly-coveted awards including several best in show trophies from leading international concours events.

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Sold at Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach sale over the summer of 2015, this is another well-documented and highly-awarded restored 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider. Like the previous entry, it is one of only 37 SWB California Spider specimens to feature aerodynamic covered headlights and is powered by the same 240hp, 2,953cc, SOHC, Tipo 168/61 V-12. This example originally left the factory wearing “Blu Metallizzato” paint, but has since been treated to a coat of the Italian brand’s trademark Rosso Corsa red. And, in addition to being documented by noted Ferrari historian, Marcel Massini, this example is also Ferrari Classiche Department-certified.

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Yet another 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider auctioned off by Gooding & Company, this Italian V12 was originally owned from new by legendary Italian architect and designer, Gianfranco Frattini. Additionally, it has only traded hands twice since then, the most recent of which — prior to its sale for $17.16M in 2016 — was in 1983. This particular example was also featured in the 1963 film,Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, which starred Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni. And, as you may have guessed, it’s another one of the 37 examples to sport factory headlight covers, and is powered by the 240hp Tipo 168/61 V12.

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Originally unveiled at the 1966 Earles Court Show, Ferrari’s 250 LM was an incredibly high-performance, incredibly rare car that was remarkably different than its predecessors. Extremely rare with production limited to only 32 units in total, the vehicle was slated to be campaigned in the era’s GT class, but eventually was ran as a sports prototype. Nonetheless, a 250 LM was piloted to victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans — which is where the “LM” comes from in the vehicle’s monicker — in 1965, marking the last time the event would be won in a Ferrari. Not unlike when McLaren unveiled its F1 in the 1990s, when Ferrari unleashed the 250 LM onto the rest of the competition’s 1960’s cars, it utterly dominated. At the heart of the 250 LM was a 320hp, 3,286cc V-12 with an aluminum block, six Weber 38 DCN carbs, and a five-speed manual transmission, stuffed inside a race-built chassis with anti-roll bars and independent suspension with front and rear unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, and telescopic shocks.

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While here we do have yet another Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider, this example is a little different for numerous reasons. First off, it’s a Competizione (or “competition” spec, which in this case meant upgraded disc brakes and suspension, and a Tipo 168 V-12 that made 275hp, 35hp more than the standard, non-Competizione-spec. And, equally important, on top of sporting the rare covered headlights, this specimen is one of only nine LWB California Spider examples to boast lightweight alloy bodywork. Also certified and documented by Ferrari Classiche Department and Marcel Massini, this example finished in 5th overall at the grueling 1960 12 Hours of Sebring, as well as being crowned with the Platinum Award and Competizione Cup Winner at the 2011 Cavallino Classic in Palm Beach.

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This 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder is something of a time capsule. It was purchased shortly after leaving the factory, and then bought and re-sold numerous times before landing in what was essentially long-term storage for the next several decades. When it was finally unearthed and sent across the auction block, it — unlike the rest of the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyders on this list — still wore its original paint and patina inside and out. Though, like the others, it’s another one of the 37 to wear headlight covers. It’s glove compartment even contained its original paperwork from when it was last on the road in the 1970s, along with a dehydrated pair of antique driving gloves from the vehicles’s days of former glory. This matching-number example also formerly belong to French movie star, Alain Delon.

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Fetching just shy of $19M last summer, this stunning 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta is one of the rarest cars from the Turin firm. Prior to the ample engine development born out of the Second World War, Alfa Romeo’s 8c 2900 was the fastest production car in the world. Of the five touring specimens produced, this example is number two. Sporting several elements clearly influenced by the Art Deco scene from several decades prior to this specimen’s release, this car originally represented the absolute best in both luxury and performance. And while it’s bodywork leaves little doubt as to the era it was designed in, it nonetheless boasts some of the most interesting and unique design traits of any WW2-era tourer.

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Another variation of a 1939 example of Alfa Romeo’s 8C 2900B, this Lungo Spider specimen is considered to be the quintessential Italian sports car of its era. Derived from Grand Prix competition, these seldom-seen Italian four-wheeler were kicked along by 180hp 2.9L double-overhead cam inline-eight engine with dual roots-type superchargers and a four-speed gearbox. Equally advanced was the Lungo Spider’s componentry, which consisted of double wishbone independent suspension with coil springs over dampers in front, and a swing axle rear suspension setup with radius arms, transverse semi-elliptical leaf springs, and hydraulic friction dampers. Winner of a wildly-coveted Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance award for its stellar restoration by noted expert, Tony Merrick, this example is not only just one of 12 Touring Spiders still known to exist, but when it crossed the auction block in August of 2016, it became the first publicly-offered “Immortal 2.9” (8C 2900).

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Upon its release, McLaren’s F1 represented the absolute pinnacle of automotive performance. Back in 1998 the F1 clocked a record-setting 240.14mph time, and though it’s since been bested, the F1 remains the world’s fastest natural aspirated production model. In total, only 106 specimens were produced, only five of which were the ultra-prestigious LM-spec: an upgraded version of the F1 built to celebrate the brand’s 1995 success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans — where it took first, third, fourth, fifth, and 13th – that featured a bevy of performance parts including an upgraded 680hp 6.1L V12 with a modified transmission, cooling and exhaust system, as well as a few other touches like 18” GTR rims and the marque’s (High-Downforce Kit) bodywork arrangement. This particular example was originally delivered in 1994, though in 2000 it was returned to McLaren’s headquarters where it underwent a full factory conversion to LM-spec, making it just one of two specimens to ever receive the elite factory treatment.

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After Aston Martin pulled the plug on its factory race program at the end of the 1960 season, it didn’t take long for dealers and enthusiasts to start clamoring for a new track-bred machine from the elite British marque. After much development and several iterations (after the DP212 and DP214), one of the results was the DP215, one of the brands “Design Projects.” Aston Martin then experimented with additional variants including a touring version of which two prototypes were constructed, as well as earmarked for completion use, specifically at Le Mans. In addition to competing at Le Mans in 1963, this example later went on two clock an insanely-impressive 198.6mph time. Sporting its original engine and period and model-correct five-speed transmission, this example wears Hiduminium alloy bodywork.

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One of the most historically significant Jaguars on the planet, this 1955 D-Type is reportedly the first-ever team-series production D-Type built, in addition to being the first that was designated by its frame as a genuine D-Type. This specimen is also the only known surviving Le Mans-winning Jaguar C-Type or D-Type on earth, as this particular 1955 D-Type was piloted to victory at the 1956 running of the event with racers Ron Flockhart and Ninjan Sanderson at the helm for the Edinburgh-based Ecurie Ecosse team. Though it’s traded hands twice since belonging to the Scottish race team, it remains almost exactly as it was when it was last raced. Under the hood, this example sports a 3,442cc double-overhead cam inline-six cylinder engine that squeezes out a cool 250hp.

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One of only two examples ever built, this 1935 Duesenberg SSJ marked the crowning achievement of the Auburn, Indiana-based automobile outfit. The SSJ featured an incredibly advanced engine for its time, with a twin-carb 6,882cc inline-eight-cylinder engine with double-overhead cams, twin carbs, four valves per cylinder, and a centrifugal supercharger that enabled the “straight-eight” to generate 400hp — a gigantic figure for the post-depression, pre-WW2 era. Completely unrestored and still retaining its factory engine, chassis, and bodywork (which was penned by J. Herbert Newport Jr., this particular example also sported a shorter wheelbase. This very example was also originally delivered to 1930s Hollywood film icon, Gary Cooper.

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A genuine, ex-competition Scuderia Ferrari Works race car from the 1956 and 1957 seasons, this exact example was piloted to victories and podium finishes by some of the era’s most celebrated drivers at iconic events including the 1000KM of Buenos Aires and the Mille Miglia. Additionally, this very specimen also finished first at the Nassau Trophy, plus it remains eligible for a myriad of period race events. And, this example isn’t just certified by the Ferrari Classiche Department, it was restored by the elite division of the Prancing Horse Brand, with FCD returning the ’56 specimen to its former glory and adorning it in its 1957 12 Hours of Sebring livery. Of the four surviving examples known to exist, this was the final specimen produced, too.

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Widely considered to be the most significant Aston Martin model in the marque’s history, the DBR1 was born out of a tireless and dogged effort to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The company would produce a total of five DBR1 examples, all powered by highly-tuned straight-six engines. This particular example is not only the first of the five made, but it was also driven to victory at the 1959 Nurburgring 1000KM, and it was raced by motorsport legends including Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, and Carroll Shelby. Built during Aston Martin’s racing glory days, this specimen packs a special race-ready period reproduction engine (though it was also sold with its stocker mill) and has been expertly maintained by world class Aston Martin experts, R.S. Williams.

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An extreme special and historically-significant Ferrari, this 1964 275 GTB Competizione Speciale features Scaglietti coachwork and a Tipo 213/Comp 3,286cc lightweight-block V-12 that pumped out 320hp. One of only three works Berlinetta Competizione ever built – and the first of the three to leave the shop — these seldom-seen 3.3L machines are cousins of the more common (though still elite) 250 GTOs. Both the spartan, race-inspired interior (with original Veglia clocks) and gray, two-tone-liveried exterior on this specimen are absolutely flawless, too. Overall, it’s just an incredible take on an already legendary model of a 1960s car classic.

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Founded in 1958 by Luigi Chinetti and lasting approximately two-and-a-half-decades through 1982, the North American Racing Team — often abbreviated as “N.A.R.T.” — was an an endurance race effort formed to promote Ferrari’s four-wheeled wares in America by demonstrating the Ferraris’ performance prowess through long-format competition. Today, these NART specimens are highly sought-after by Ferrari aficionados, and few, if any are as special as this 1967 275 GTB/4*S N.A.R.T. Spider. This matching numbers example is only one of ten N.A.R.T. Spiders ever produced, and features a massaged 300hp 3,286cc four-overhead camshaft V-12 engine housed in a tubular steel chassis.

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Here we have another 1956 Ferrari 290 MM, and while the earlier ex-Scuderia Ferrari Works racer is undeniably a very special example, this $28,05M specimen to cross RM Sotheby’s auction block back in 2015 is on another level entirely. A rolling piece of Ferrari’s race history, this extensively-documented example took 4th place overall at the 1956 Mille Miglia, driven by Juan Manuel Fangio, Argentinian-born race car driver, legend, and winner of the 1951, 1954, 1956, and 1957 Formula One Championships. Fangio was working with 320 horses, thanks to a 3.5L SOHC, Tipo 130 V-12 engine with triple Weber twin-choke carbs and twin spark-plug ignition with quad Magneti-Marelli distributors. The ex-Fangio example also packs equally-advanced (for the time) suspension, with helical springs and an anti-roll bar, and a De Dion rear axle with transverse leaf springs.

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In the mid 1950s Mercedes-Benz was arguably the team to beat in high-level racing. It took aim squarely at Formula One competition with a potent and cutting-edge car being driven by some of the best in the sport, including “El Maestro” himself, Juan Manuel Fangio. Considered to unequivocally be one of the greatest drivers to have ever lived, Juan Manuel Fangio to this day still holds the record for the highest winning percentage of all time at a little over 46%. Fangio was at the helm of the German automaker’s W196R. The track-only formula one racer was constructed around an all-new lightweight space-frame chassis and was powered by a supercharged inline-eight-cylinder “laydown” engine that enabled this exact machine to win the German and Swiss Grand Prix.

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When this 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti sold for over $35M in 2016, it became the three most expensive vehicles ever sold at the time. The ex-factory works racer has extensive noteworthy competition history, including placing second overall at the 1957 Mille Miglia, sixth overall at the 12 Hours of Sebring in March of that same year, and it outright won the Grand Prix of Cuba the following year in 1958 where it was piloted by none other than Stirling Moss. Furthermore, this very specimen was also the first car to lap an average speed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans that exceeded 200km/h (124.27mph). And, as its sale price would definitely suggests, every inch of this example, both inside and out, is absolutely pristine, full epitomizing concours condition.

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The most expensive car ever sold at auction for a full four-years after dethroning the Mercedes W196R from the year prior, this 1962-63 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta was one of only 39 specimens produced in total. And though it was built in greater numbers than some of the other Ferraris on this list, its race pedigree and ties to historically significant drivers and events have made considered to be more elite. An ex-Sterling Moss specimen traded hands privately in 2012 for a cool $35M, while another private sale example from 2013 went for an insane $52M. Still wearing a race livery, this exact example was previously piloted in competition by a number of elite racers, including French Formula One driver, Jo Schlesser approximately half-a-decade before his untimely death in July of 1968.

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The holy grail of vintage automotive offerings, this 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO by Scaglietti was touted by RM Sotheby’s as “the world’s most important, desirable, and legendary motorcar,” and it’s hard to say the auction house was being hyperbolic. Known as the mythical “Chassis 3413,” this example was expected to bring in a figure of around $60M, though it’s $48.4M dollar price is certainly nothing to scoff at. (As a point of reference, that same figure would buy you 176 2020 Ferrari F8 Spiders, or 146 2020 Ferrari 488 Pistas — with a good chunk of money left over.) Successor to the SWB 250 Berlinetta, the 250 GTO was one of the first Ferrari models to benefit from wind-tunnel-tested bodywork. It was also packing a 3.0L short-block Colombo V-12. This example was also previously raced by Le Mans and Formula One Champion, Phil Hill.

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