Ka-Ching! 15 Stunning Cars That Fetched The Most Cash At Auctions
Hardcore car collectors never think twice when buying a super exclusive car no matter what price tag you put on it. For avid collectors, classic cars and vintage cars are worth every penny. Since money is no object for them, they will give any amount it takes in order to bring home a rare vehicle and display it in their garage. It’s easy to think that a million dollar car is already an expensive automobile, but legit car collectors spend a real fortune to get a limited edition car worth millions of dollars.
Some may think that the $4.8-million Koennigsegg CCXR Trevita is already an expensive car. If that car is your limit, then you cannot call yourself an true-blue rich car collector. Real collectors don’t just stick to modern supercars. They attend classic car auctions to bid on the rarest of cars, some of which are one of a kind such that no matter what kind of digging you do, you will never unearth a copy. Perhaps, if you invent a time machine, you can go back in time to make another copy of that car.
To get a glimpse of how expensive rare classic cars are, here are 15 stunning cars that have the biggest price tags in auctions. These are the most expensive cars that got bought at auctions on the face of the earth. Hang on to your wallets, here we go.
15. 1931 Duesenberg Model J Murphy-Bodied Coupe: $10,300,000
One of the first vintage cars that has been mass produced, the 1931 Duesenberg Model J Murphy-Bodied Coupe is a rare sight to spot today. Less than 500 units of this car were produced and only a few of them still exist until today. It is impossible to get a new one from the same car maker because Duesenberg folded in 1937. Still, when the 1931 Duesenberg Model J Murphy-Bodied Coupe came out, it was the first choice among A-list celebrities back in the day. Although old, it is still an expensive car because it was sold at an auction for $10,300,000. A weird thing to note about the 1931 Duesenberg Model J Murphy-Bodied Coupe, it was designed by American chocolatier, Frank Hershey.
14. 1968 Ford GT40 Lightweight Racing Car: $11,000,000
One of the most expensive cars sold at an auction, the 1968 Ford GT40 Lightweight Racing Car was purchased at a shocking price tag of $11,000,000. This car was sold at the RM Sotheby’s auction in 2012. What made it super expensive is that this classic car reigned supreme on the track. It can really race, such that from the first time its tires touched the track, it was determined to become a champion. It was successful in doing so. It participated in many races and it earned many championships. It kept racking up wins and due to its performance, it left most of its competition way, way behind.
13. 1953 Ferrari 340/375 MM Berlinetta Competizione: $12,812,800
The 1953 Ferrari 340/375 MM Berlinetta Competizione is a beautiful car with strong ties with the track. This means that it is a high performance car that draws power from a very potent engine, a 340 hp V12. To complement this powerful core, the car comes with classic defined lines to make sure that it is aerodynamic. Due to its looks and prowess, the 1953 Ferrari 340/375 MM Berlinetta Competizione is deserving to be the center of any avid car collector’s garage. Still, its real habitat is the race track. An expensive car, this sports car was auctioned with a price of $12,812,800.
12. 1998 McLaren F1: $13,750,000
Auctioned at Pebble Beach, California for the Sotheby’s auction, the 1998 McLaren F1 is a magnificent vehicle worth the price. This modern-day hypercar is fast and was said to be way ahead of its time. Due to this, it was auctioned at a huge price of $13,750,000. Only a car collector with deep pockets and massive love for a hypercar can purchase the 1998 McLaren F1. It is considered as the jewel of the collection and still a limited edition hypercar with a total of 65 examples released in the wild. After the car was purchased, a video of it went viral when someone posted it on YouTube as it was driven on the streets of Monterey.
11. 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa: $16,390,000
The 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa is a fast car that is more than just a race car. It was designed with optimum aerodynamics to make sure that it is ultra fast on the road. Due to its outstanding performance, this vehicle made its way in the history of Ferrari. It served as prototype to Ferrari’s esteemed series. The 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa is a limited edition car with a total of only 22 units ever produced. At one point in modern day history, one lucky car collector got his hands on a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa that is in top condition. It was sold in an auction at a price of $16,390,000. Buying it was like buying a piece of Ferrari history.
10. 1964 Ferrari LM: $17,600,000
The 1964 Ferrari LM is one of the most expensive classic cars auctioned in 2015. It was sold at the Monterey auction with the top bid at $17,600,000. This stunning Ferrari is distinct with a number of 23 among the total of 32 cars manufactured. It was a high performing car and was successful on the race track. Hence, the jacked up the price of the car. Its amazing performance on the track proved it to be one of the finest vehicles that Ferrari has ever made. In terms of looks, the 1964 Ferrari LM is a head-turner, with it classy lines and classic appearance.
9. 1954 Ferrari 375-Plus: $18,298,500
Designed to win races, the 1954 Ferrari 375-Plus was able to do exactly that at the 1954 Mille Miglia. However, what prevented it from doing so was its broken gearbox. This crushed its hopes of becoming a champion on that race moments before it was able to reach the finish line. Still, this disappointing loss did not prevent the 1954 Ferrari 375-Plus to perform well in any race that it competes on. Hence, it was able to run on the Le Mans. An expensive classic race car, the 1954 Ferrari 375-Plus was sold at an auction for a huge price of $18,298,500.
8. 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider: $18,500,000
A rare car, it was really out of sheer luck that a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider came out as a barn find. This vehicle was uncovered as part of the Baillon collection in France in the late 2014. A dream for many car collectors, it was a highlight in the world of motoring when this car was found hidden under stacks of old magazines. Although it was auctioned dirty, it was in top running condition. Hence, this proved that the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider is a durable car. With its amazing quality and great back story, the buyer of the car found it worth it and was able to restore it to look stunning once again.
7. 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport: $23,000,000
One of the most expensive classic vehicles sold in an auction is the 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport. This beautiful piece of machinery was sold with a whopping price tag of $23,000,000 at the Rick Cole’s Monterey auction. It is a thing of beauty but in addition to that, it also boasts amazing power. Under the hood, this classic car draws power from a 5.0-liter version of the Lampredi V12 engine. Hence, it is considered by many as one of the most powerful Ferraris to be manufactured. A rare vehicle, only four examples came out of production. To top it all off, each of the car came with a varied specification and body style. Therefore, it can be said that each car is truly unique.
6. 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale: $26,400,000
A luxury classic sports car, the 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale got auctioned at a massive price of $26,400,000. Although it fell a bit short from the price of the NART Spider, it is still one of the most expensive cars sold in an auction. This luxury vehicle was bought for that price at the RM’s Monterey auction. A true limited edition car, the 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale that was sold was only one of the three examples ever produced. On top of its rarity, it is also a high performance car. Hence, it is a perfect example that a car can have everything – stunning looks, potent engine, and produce the desire for car buyers to spend a fortune for this road beast.
5. 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spider: $27,500,000
A rare convertible, the 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spider is one of the only 10 copies produced of this vehicle. Hence, its rarity contributed greatly to its auction price of $27,500,000. It was sold for this price at the RM Auctions’ Monterey. Before it was auctioned, the car was said to be owned by a US Ferrari importer named Luigi Chinetti. A beautiful roadster, it is a definite head-turner when on the road or even when only on display. To complement its looks, it carries a 3.3-liter V12 engine. Hence, this limited edition car can be expected to fare well when you let it free on the track.
4. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM: $28,050,000
In 2015, the 1956 Ferrari 290 MM has become the most expensive car sold during an auction for that year. The classic roadster was sold at the RM Sotheby’s New York sale in December. The beautiful car was driven by five-time Formula 1 world champion Juan Manuel Fangio at the 1956 Mille Miglia. This vehicle was one of the only four cars ever produced. A rare vehicle, it demonstrated power as well since it performed at par or even more than the competition. Moreover, it has never experienced any crash even at the races. The 1956 Ferrari 290 MM was sold at $28,050,000 and the buyer said that it was worth every penny.
3. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196: $30,00,000
A head-turner during the auction where it was sold shy of $30,00,000, the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 was a highly sought-after car. This expensive vintage car was purchased at the Bonhams’ annual auction at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2013. Decorated Formula 1 racer Juan Manuel Fangio who has won five championships owned and drove this car before. Hence, at that time, it gained value and became more expensive beginning at $7,600,00. Up until today, the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 is considered as the most expensive vehicle sold at an auction on British soil.
2. 1936 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic: $30,000,000 – $40,000,000
An impressive classic car, the 1936 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic was sold via private auction by Gooding & Company to the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California. Although technically not an auction since the buyer was “fixed,” this vehicle still deserves a recognition on this list. The actual price of the car was not revealed but it was estimated to be between $30,000,000 and $40,000,000. Many car experts and enthusiasts consider the 1936 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic as a mobile form of art. Still, even if this rare looks gorgeous, it does not end there. The vehicle carries a potent engine that delivers high raw power. Hence, the car can reach speeds of up to 120 mph or even more. This stat is already very impressive in its generation.
1. 1962-63 Ferrari 250 GTO: $38,115,000
A legendary race car in many motoring history books, the 1962-63 Ferrari 250 GTO is considered as the world’s most expensive car purchased in an auction. With a massive price tag of $38,115,000, the car was bought at the Bonham’s Carmel auction in California. The race car has been kept under wraps for about 100 years by one family and they have given it utmost care and maintenance to keep it at its best condition. Hence, this allowed the car’s price to skyrocket because it has existed for over a century but its quality was kept as if it just came out of production. Due to this, the 1962-63 Ferrari 250 GTO received the title of the ultimate road racer. No other cars can match its quality, beauty, and even success on the road.