The 21 most expensive cars that have been auctioned in history

The classic car market is going through a time where literally any vintage car can fetch a pretty penny. However, there are always the ones that sell for ridiculously huge amounts. We have compiled a ranking that includes the 21 most expensive cars that have been auctioned in history, the most exclusive in the world.

In most cases due to mere speculation, these types of cars change hands several times in a short period of time. In this way, its owners, who are millionaire car collectors, get a little richer. Fortunately, sometimes they end up in the right hands, and stay there for a long time.

In this list you will find the most expensive cars that have been auctioned in history, all of them exclusive classic collector’s items.

Alfa Romeo BAT 5, 7 & 9d

The Alfa Romeo BAT are a trio of vehicles designed for Bertone by Franco Scaglione, author of vehicles such as the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. The vehicles were sold as a lot at the Contemporary Art Evening Auction in New York and fetched €12.4 million.

Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competition from 1959

Gooding & Company put this 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione up for auction in August 2016 and sold it for $18.15 million, about €17 million at the time. There are only eight copies in the world and this unit competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959 achieving a fifth place overall.

Ferrari 375-Plus Spider Competition from 1954

Another of those from the house of the Prancing Horse that sneaks into the list of the most expensive cars auctioned in history is the 1954 Ferrari 375-Plus Spider Competizione that Bonhams sold in 2014 for a whopping 18.4 million dollars, about 17.15 million euros. It was built to compete in the Mille Miglia that same year.

Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider from 1961

Next on the list is another Ferrari, specifically a 1961 250 GT SWB California Spider that was auctioned by Artcurial in February 2015, fetching just over 18.45 million dollars, about 17.22 million euros. Its main peculiarity is that it belonged to the actor Gérard Blain and that it was abandoned for years in a barn.

Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta from 1937

That 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta was auctioned off in February 2019 by Artcurial. There are only 30 units in the world, only 10 have a long wheelbase and 5 were Berlinettas. Being so exclusive, it is almost justified that it was sold for 18.99 million dollars, about 17.73 million euros.

Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider from 1939

Another Alfa Romeo that was auctioned for a good sum was this 1939 8C 2900B Lungo Spider that RM Sotheby’s managed to sell for the sum of 19.8 million dollars (18.48 million euros) in August 2016. Only known of the existence of 12 units at present.

1994 McLaren F1 LM

One more to make the list is the 1994 McLaren F1 LM, a supercar that was created to celebrate victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Only six copies exist and this unit was sold in August 2019 at auction for 19.8 million dollars, 18.48 million euros.

1995 McLaren F1

We travel back in time to last year and rescue the 1995 McLaren F1 that Gooding & Company managed to sell at an auction held in August for 20.4 million dollars, about 19.1 million euros at the exchange rate in that moment.

1963 Aston Martin DP215

Next on the list of the 21 most expensive cars ever auctioned is the 1963 Aston Martin DP215, a rare racing example that took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans that same year. It was RM Sotheby’s who managed to sell it in August 2018 for 21.4 million dollars, about 20 million euros, at auction.

1955 Jaguar D-Type

It was also the London house that achieved the sale during an auction held in August 2016 of this 1955 Jaguar D-Type intended to compete at Le Mans. In this case, it was sold for 21.78 million dollars, the equivalent of 20.33 million euros.

Duesenberg SSJ of 1935

With a production run of just two units, a car as exclusive as the 1935 Duesenberg SSJ had to be on this exclusive list. His 400 hp V8 belonged to Gary Cooper and was auctioned by Gooding & Company in August 2018 for a whopping 22 million dollars, about 20.5 million euros.

Ferrari 290MM from 1956

We return to the Italian firm and this Ferrari 290 MM from 1956 that RM Sotheby’s sold at an auction held in December 2018 for 22 million dollars (20.5 million euros). This specimen won the 1956 Mille Miglia.

1956 Aston Martin DBR1

Only five examples of the 1956 Aston Martin DBR1 were made, a rare example that won the 1000 km of the Nürburgring in 1959 and would sell almost six decades later, in August 2017, for 22.55 million dollars, about 21.05 million of euros.

Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale from 1964

Three years earlier, also in August, but from 2014, RM Sotheby’s sold this 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale for 26.4 million dollars, about 24.64 million euros.

Ferrari 275 GTB/4S NART Spider from 1967

Even earlier, in August 2013, RM Sotheby’s had already managed to sell this 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spider at one of its many auctions for $27.5 million, about 25.67 million euros. Only ten units were made and this particular one was bought by Lawrence Stroll almost 9 years ago.

Ferrari 290MM from 1956

The Maranello signature racing cars are very special. So it doesn’t sound very impressive that this 1956 Ferrari 290 MM was sold in December 2015 at an RM Sotheby’s auction for $28.05 million, about €26.18 million at the time.

1954 Mercedes-Benz W196

Mercedes single-seaters, the famous silver arrows, are also very collectible, especially if driven by a figure of the stature of Juan Manuel Fangio. Bonhams managed to sell this 1954 W196 in July 2013 for 29.6 million dollars, about 27.63 million euros.

Ferrari 333 Sport Scaglietti from 1957

In February 2016, this 1957 Ferrari 333 Sport Scaglietti became one of the most expensive cars ever auctioned to date. Artcurial sold it for 35.71 million dollars, about 33.33 million euros, a figure that reached after it was known that it was piloted by Stirling Moss and Mike Hawthorn.

Ferrari 250 GTO from 1962

Bonhams in this case was the auction house in charge of selling this example of the 250 GTO from 1962, one of the 36 units manufactured, for 38.11 million dollars, the equivalent of 35.58 million euros. It was sold at an event held in August 2014.

Ferrari 250 GTO from 1962

Another example of the same year and characteristics broke records in August 2018 when it was sold at an RM Sotheby’s auction for $48.4 million, about €45.18 million at the time. It was the third model manufactured out of the four that the Italian coachbuilder Scaglietti improved, which undoubtedly adds even more value.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe from 1955

But the one that takes the gold medal in this ranking of the 21 most expensive cars that have been auctioned in history is the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé. This copy was sold by RM Sotheby’s for a whopping 142 million dollars, just over 135 million euros. Only 7 units were built and two of them, where the one auctioned is included, were coupés.