Car auctions don’t necessarily have an upmarket reputation, with images of traders in sheepskin coats, waving their Glass’s Guides around to bid on old clunkers that aren’t seen as good enough for dealer stock.
But there’s a very different end to the car auction market, with some classic cars selling as works of art, and often fetching upwards of £20 million.
Here are the 10 most expensive cars ever sold under the hammer.
10. 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider
Price: $18,500,000
Possibly the world’s most expensive restoration project, a Ferrari 250GT California ‘barn find’ achieved eighteen and a half million US dollars when it sold at the Artcurial auction in Paris in February 2015. The ultra-rare cars was part of a private collection owned by French collector Roabert Ballion.
9. 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider by Touring
Price: $19,800,000
It didn’t quite crack $20 million, but nevertheless there was a sharp intake of breath when the hammer fell on what’s regarded as the prettiest Alfa Romeo ever made at RM Sotherby’s Moneterey sale in 2016. One of only 12 8C Touring Spiders ever made, it has a supercharged 2.9-litre straight-six engine.
8. 1955 Jaguar D-Type
Price: $21,780,000
An incredible $21.8 million pounds was the price for the most expensive Jaguar ever sold, which went under the hammer at RM Sotherby’s Monterey sale in 2016. But it was a very special car – the first ever production D-Type, and the winner of the 1956 Le Mans 24 Hour Race, restored in Ecurie Ecosse racing livery.
7. 1956 Aston Martin DBR1/1
Price: $22,550,000
The first ever DBR1/1, formerly raced by Sir Stirling Moss, holds the honour of being the most expensive British car ever sold at auction, realising a staggering $22.5 million at Sotheby’s Monterey sale in 2017. It’s also the seventh most expensive car of all time.
6. 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale
Price: $26,708,000
This was one of only three 275 GTB/C models built to meet homologation rules in 1964, so that the Italian marque could compete at Le Mans. It was technically advanced for its age, with fully independent rear suspension, all aluminium construction and a V12 engine. It was significantly lighter than the 275 GTB road car on which it was based. It sold at RM Auctions Monterey sale in 2014.
5. 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spider
Price: $28,274,000
The NART designation on this super rare Ferrari convertible stands for North American Racing Team, one of only 10 cars of its type in the world. This one was driven on the silver screen by Steve McQueen in The Thomas Crown Affair, adding to its provenance. It was the star of RM Auctions 2013 Monterey sale.
4. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM
Price: $28,341,000
Sold by RM Sotheby’s in New York City in 2015, this ex-works Ferrari 290 MM was built for the 1956 Mille Miglia race in Italy and was driven by the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio. It was also driven by legendary racers Alfonso de Portago and Wolfgang Von Trips, giving it a distinguished racing career. It’s one of only four ever built.
3. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196
Price: $30,433,000
The iconic open-wheeled W196 racer was one of the most distinctive racing cars of the 1950s, and this one is perhaps the most famous of all. Driven by five-time F1 world champion Juan Manuel Fangio, the car was beautifully unrestored, complete with scratches and race grime all over it, and tyre debris on the sides. It was sold at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed by Bonhams.
2. 1957 Ferrari 335S Sport Scaglietti
Price: $35,711,000
The undoubted star of the 2016 Artcurial auction in Paris in 2016, this 335S is one of the most successful Ferrari racing cars of all time, having competed at Le Mans, Sebring and the Mille Miglia. The distinctive Scaglietti bodywork is of aluminium construction and is as aerodynamic as it is beautiful.
1. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta
Price: $38,560,000
And the most expensive car ever sold at auction? That honour falls to a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, originally built to compete in the 1963 FIA World GT Championship. The car has an incredible race history and won the GT Championships in both 1963 and 1964. It has since been subject to a concours restoration, and is probably the best 250 GTO in the world. It was sold by Bonhams in California in 2015.
If you’re looking to buy a car at auction, though it’s unlikely to be one of the ones above, you can find all you need to know in our guide
