100 Most Expensive Classic Cars Ever Sold at Auction: Record-Breaking Vintage Car Sales

Most Expensive Cars Ever Sold at Auction: What Drives the Price Up

When it comes to rare collector cars, public auto auctions are where some of the highest prices in history have been recorded. These sales are open to the public and follow a traditional bidding format. This list focuses only on cars that sold for $4 million or more. All prices include the buyer's premium. Sales that were private, canceled, or off the auction floor aren’t included.

Record-Breaking Auction Sales of Classic Cars

The most expensive car ever sold at auction is the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe. It went for €135 million in 2022, bought by a private collector. That price still holds the top spot.

Before that, a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO was sold in a private auction for $70 million in 2018. At the time, it was the most valuable car ever sold in any setting.

The 1904 Rolls-Royce 10 hp Two-Seater currently stands as the most expensive veteran-era car ever sold at auction. It brought in just over $7.25 million at a Bonhams sale in London in 2007. If adjusted for 2024, that equals about $11 million.

Why Classic Cars Sell for Millions

Not every car hits these numbers. A few key factors push auction prices into the millions. First is rarity. Limited production or a unique build can send demand soaring. Scarcity alone can drive value, especially when paired with a legendary brand or model.

Next is desirability. This includes everything from brand reputation to a car’s place in pop culture. A sports car will almost always sell for more than a sedan with the same engine. A roadster typically outranks a hardtop. If a car was luxury to begin with, it starts at a higher price point and usually stays there.

Design plays a major role, too. Cars that looked ahead of their time or captured the spirit of their era tend to attract serious bids. Some buyers pay for nostalgia. A collector in their prime earning years might go after the kind of car they dreamed about as a kid. That emotional pull often matters as much as the specs.

Condition, Documentation, and Awards Boost Auction Value

Condition matters a lot. A car in flawless shape with full documentation will almost always bring in more. That includes service records, restoration receipts, and ownership history. Some of these restorations cost hundreds of thousands, even millions, just to bring a car back to its original form.

A car that has won awards at high-profile events like the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance often sells for more. Even placing in a major car show gives the vehicle added prestige that adds to its market value.

Originality is another major factor. If a car still has its factory-issued engine, gearbox, and other components, it's usually worth more than one that’s been modified. Original body panels hold value better than new replacements, but collectors often care more about the chassis.

Manual transmission models are also more sought after than automatic versions, especially among purists. Many collectors look down on automatic-equipped cars unless the model was only ever offered that way.

Cars that have been hidden away for decades or freshly restored often create a buzz. They’re seen as fresh to the market and sometimes command a premium just for their novelty.

Street-Legal and Track-Ready Cars Are in High Demand

A car’s ability to be used matters. Many buyers want something they can drive, not just display. That’s why street-legal vintage race cars often draw heavy interest. If a car can still compete in historic racing events or high-end rallies, it becomes more attractive to collectors who want to take it out on the road or track.

Why Original Parts Matter in Historic Racing

In vintage motorsport, authenticity is key. Cars entered in historic races need to pass strict technical checks. They must still have the mechanical systems that came with them originally. This rule exists to keep things fair. It's part of how Historic Technical Passports and FIA Heritage Certificates work. A car that’s been changed too much won’t qualify. That’s why collectors pay more for vehicles that still have their original setups.

Race History Makes Classic Cars More Valuable

Cars with a strong motorsport background are always in high demand. They’re worth more, especially if they won a major race. A clear example is the Ferrari 330 TRI/LM Spider. It took the win at the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans and was later sold for $9.25 million in 2007. Most of the top-selling race cars on record come from this kind of background. Sports prototypes and endurance racers tend to top the charts in terms of price.

Famous Owners Boost Car Auction Value

A car linked to a well-known figure often sells for more than its market value. Celebrity ownership creates buzz and raises the price. In 2001, Elton John auctioned off his personal car collection. Most of the cars sold for double their estimated value, just because of his name.

Another example came in 2008 when TV host Chris Evans bought a Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider. That one used to belong to actor James Coburn. It broke a 21-year auction record.

Even controversial history can influence price. In 1973, a Mercedes-Benz 770 F-Cabriolet was said to have been Adolf Hitler’s parade car. It sold for a then-record $153,000, which would equal about $1.08 million today. Later, it was revealed that it actually belonged to Finnish President Carl Mannerheim. Despite the correction, the car went on to break its own price record months later.

Still, not all fame helps value. A car tied to a disgraced figure can become a hard sell. Jimmy Savile’s Rolls-Royce Corniche, for example, was deemed worthless by many after his sexual abuse scandal surfaced.

But not all controversial cars lose value. The white Ford Bronco involved in the O. J. Simpson police chase sold for $75,000 in 2004. That was nearly twice what it originally cost. Sometimes the story behind the car is enough to push up the price.

Factory Racing Teams Add Prestige

Collectors also pay more for cars that raced with support from factory teams. These cars have more credibility and better records than customer-entered cars. Take the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, for example. In 2011, a factory-backed version broke the sales record that had been set two years earlier by a customer-owned version of the same model. Team history matters.

Why Monterey Car Week Auctions Set Price Records

Auctions during Monterey Car Week in mid-August often draw the biggest bids of the year. Collectors and investors gather there, ready to spend. It’s one of the most important events on the classic car calendar. That energy creates ideal conditions for record-breaking sales.

That said, public auction prices don’t always beat private sale records. In many cases, the difference comes down to timing and who’s in the room, not the car itself.

Global Economy Drives Classic Car Prices

Besides rarity and history, outside factors also play a role. The global economy has a direct impact on what people are willing to pay. Many collectors treat vintage cars as alternative investments, especially during financial downturns or unstable markets.

The collector car market started to gain traction in the 1970s. At the time, American dealers were importing used Ferraris from Italy, buying up anything available. Then came the 1973 oil crisis. Gas prices skyrocketed, and demand for exotic cars dropped fast. Back then, a Lamborghini Miura could be had for about $15,000.

The Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider offers a good example of how values changed over time. In 1964, it was listed for $10,500 in Road & Track magazine. That’s about $106,000 today. In 1976, it showed up again in Hemmings Motor News, priced at $16,750, which equals around $93,000 today. That same car ended up selling for nearly $5 million in 2009.

By the early 1980s, interest rates dropped. As financing became easier, many high-end classic cars saw a surge in value. Suddenly, dream cars from posters and magazines became real targets for buyers with cash. What was once a toy for the elite turned into a serious investment category.

How the 1980s Boom Shaped the Collector Car Market

In the 1980s, auctions turned into feeding grounds for investors. Prices shot up fast, and many buyers weren't car enthusiasts. They were speculators looking to flip high-end classics for profit. After buying, most would park the cars in storage and wait. These vehicles rarely saw the road.

As prices climbed, actual car lovers were priced out. The cars kept trading hands between investors, but profits were often slim or nonexistent. Eventually, the bubble popped. The 1990s crash followed, wiping out large chunks of many collectors’ investment portfolios. Prices dropped hard, and the market cooled fast.

The Ferrari F40 and the Start of Price Speculation

The Ferrari F40 played a big role in sparking that investor frenzy. It became a symbol of status, speed, and fast profit. That attention pulled more speculators into the classic car market, many of whom knew little about the vehicles beyond their price tags.

Japan’s Bubble Economy and Its Impact on Auction Prices

In the late 1980s, Japan’s economy was booming. The yen had doubled in strength between 1985 and 1989. That gave wealthy Japanese buyers major buying power abroad. Classic cars became one of their targets. Since the yen went further, they paid what felt like half price compared to previous years.

One of the most famous examples was in 1989. Takeo Kato bought a Ferrari 250 GTO for over $13.8 million. Just a few years later, when the bubble burst, the same car was resold for only $2.7 million. A London-based American later picked it up for about $3.5 million. By 2001, the car was swapped again in a private trade worth around $7 million.

From Boom and Bust to Steady Growth in the Classic Car Market

After the recession in the 1990s, the collector car market changed. Buyers started doing their homework. They became more careful and calculated. Since then, the most sought-after cars have gained over 200 percent in value. Even during more recent downturns, prices at the top end stayed strong or continued to rise.

That change happened because today’s investors are better informed. They take time to research, compare models, and learn the car’s history before making a move. That’s a big difference from the reckless buying that inflated prices in the 1980s.

Between 2005 and 2010, vintage car values rose an average of 21 percent. That figure comes from data collected by the Historic Automobile Group International (HAGI Index), which tracks price trends in collectible vehicles.

The Risks of Investing in High-Value Collector Cars

Owning a multimillion-dollar car is risky. Accidents can erase a huge chunk of its value in seconds. One of the most expensive crashes ever involved Christopher Cox, who totaled the front end of his Ferrari 250 GTO while driving. Before the wreck, the car was worth around $30 million.

Unlike other assets, you can't repair a rare car and expect the price to stay the same. Even expert restorations can't undo the hit to the vehicle’s history. That’s why serious collectors insure their cars heavily and, in many cases, avoid driving them altogether.

 

The Highest-Priced Cars Ever Sold at Auction

Some of the rarest and most valuable cars in the world have passed through auction houses like RM Sotheby’s, Bonhams, Artcurial, and Gooding & Company. These cars didn’t just sell for millions. They broke records. The list below covers actual public sales where the final hammer price crossed $20 million and up, adjusted where needed for inflation. These aren’t just collector cars. They’re part of automotive history.

The €135 Million Mercedes-Benz Uhlenhaut Coupe

The most expensive car ever sold at a public auction is the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe. It sold on May 5, 2022, in Stuttgart for $143 million. RM Sotheby’s ran the auction, and the car's serial number was 196.110-00008/55. No car has come close to that number since.

The Streamlined 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R

In February 2025, another rare Mercedes-Benz made headlines. This one was a 1954 W 196 R Stromlinienwagen. It sold for just under $54 million, again at an RM Sotheby’s auction in Stuttgart. This car carried the serial number 00009/54 and continues to be one of the highest-selling Formula One cars ever.

The Legendary 1962 Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO

Another car that shook the market was a 1962 Ferrari 330 LM, also known as a 250 GTO. On November 13, 2023, it was auctioned in New York City by RM Sotheby’s and sold for over $51.7 million. Its chassis number, 3765LM, puts it among the rarest GTOs.

The $48 Million 250 GTO in Monterey

Back in August 2018, another 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO fetched $48.4 million at RM Sotheby’s in Monterey. When adjusted for today’s value, that sale equals about $60.6 million. The serial number was 3413GT, and the car was in flawless condition.

Ferrari Sales Keep Dominating the Market

The Ferrari 250 GTO is a model that constantly ranks among the most expensive cars at auction. Another one sold through Bonhams in 2014 for $38.1 million. That was chassis 3851GT. With inflation, that price now sits around $50.6 million.

In February 2025, a Ferrari 250 LM with chassis 5893 went for over $36.3 million at RM Sotheby’s in Paris. The LM models are rare, making any appearance at auction a big deal.

A year earlier, a 1967 Ferrari 412P, serial number 0854, sold for just over $30.2 million through Bonhams in Carmel. This was another major Ferrari sale that confirmed how high the market still is for classic endurance racers.

Older Mercedes and Rare Ferraris Keep Prices High

Back in July 2013, Bonhams sold a 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 for nearly $29.6 million in the UK. That was the car driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and carried the serial 196 196 010 00006/54. Today, its adjusted value is nearly $40 million.

In December 2015, a 1956 Ferrari 290 MM (chassis 0626) was sold for $28.05 million at RM Sotheby’s in New York. That car was originally built for Juan Manuel Fangio. The same model, but with chassis 0628, sold in Los Angeles in 2018 for just over $22 million.

NART Spider, DBR1, and the Ultra-Rare 410 Sport

In August 2013, RM Auctions sold a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S NART Spider for $27.5 million. That car, chassis 10709, has long been a favorite among high-end collectors.

A 1956 Aston Martin DBR1, chassis DBR1/1, reached $22.5 million in 2017. That car is considered one of the most important British race cars ever made.

Ferrari’s 410 Sport Spider, chassis 0598 CM, sold for $22 million in August 2022 at RM Sotheby’s in Monterey. Another 410 Sport, chassis 0592CM, went for $23 million at a Rick Cole auction in 2014.

Duesenberg SSJ and Jaguar D-Type Hold Their Ground

American classics also show up in these elite ranks. A 1935 Duesenberg SSJ, chassis 2594, hit $22 million at Pebble Beach in 2018 through Gooding & Company.

Jaguar also made waves with a 1955 D-Type, serial XKD 501. It sold for $21.78 million at RM Sotheby’s in Monterey in 2016. That model won Le Mans, which gave it extra value.

McLaren F1 Models Still Strong

Modern supercars also fetch big numbers. A 1995 McLaren F1, serial 029, sold for over $20.4 million in 2021 at Pebble Beach. That same year, a 1994 McLaren F1 in LM-Spec, serial 018, brought in $19.8 million at Monterey.

Alfa Romeo 8C and Aston Martin DP215 Among the Elite

A 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider, chassis 412041, sold in 2016 for $19.8 million. When adjusted, its value nears $26 million. It was one of the top pre-war cars ever sold.

Another standout was the 1963 Aston Martin DP215. It went for $21.45 million at RM Sotheby’s in 2018, solidifying its place among the most valuable British cars ever sold.

Alfa Romeo 8C Touring Berlinetta Breaks into Top Ranks

In February 2019, a 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta sold at Artcurial’s Paris auction for nearly $19 million. That car, chassis 412024, now holds a modern value of around $23.4 million. With its racing roots and elegant bodywork, this Alfa remains one of the most desirable pre-war cars ever built.

Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes F1 W04 Draws Big Numbers

On November 17, 2023, RM Sotheby’s auctioned off the 2013 Mercedes F1 W04 in Las Vegas. This car, chassis F1W04-04, was raced by Lewis Hamilton and brought in just under $18.9 million. That price reflects its winning legacy and connection to one of Formula 1’s biggest stars.

Ferrari 250 California Spyders Keep Climbing

Several 250 GT California Spyders made waves in recent years. One of the highest-selling was chassis 2935GT, a 1961 short-wheelbase version. It was sold by Artcurial in Paris in 2015 for more than $18.4 million. That price, adjusted today, stands over $24.5 million.

Another one, chassis 3099 GT, went for just over $18 million in March 2023 at Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island event. Chassis 2871 GT sold for $17.16 million in 2016, while 3095GT followed with a $16.83 million sale in 2015. Even earlier, chassis 2903 GT sold in 2014 for just over $15.1 million.

These Spyders are among the most sought-after Ferraris, thanks to their sleek styling, rarity, and race-derived performance.

Other Ferrari Highlights Continue to Dominate

The 1954 Ferrari 375 Plus Spider, chassis 0384, was auctioned by Bonhams in 2014 and sold for more than $18.4 million. Its adjusted value is around $24.4 million today. This car was one of Ferrari’s earliest and most powerful V12 sports racers.

Another standout is the 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder Competizione, chassis 1603 GT, which brought in $18.15 million at Pebble Beach in 2016.

The 1964 Ferrari 250 LM, chassis 6105, sold for $17.6 million in 2015. Another 250 LM, chassis 6107, hit $14.3 million in a 2013 New York sale. These LM models remain incredibly rare and highly prized among collectors.

Ferrari’s racing pedigree showed again with the 1957 250 Testa Rossa, chassis 0666TR. It brought in $16.4 million at Pebble Beach in 2011. In 2015, a unique 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Speciale designed by Bertone (chassis 3269GT) sold for $16.5 million.

McLaren F1 Sales Still Command Top Prices

The McLaren F1 continues to be a heavyweight at auction. In 2017, chassis 044 sold for $15.6 million at Bonhams in Carmel. Back in 2015, chassis 073, a 1998 LM-spec F1, sold for $13.75 million at RM Auctions in Monterey. Both models have since appreciated in value and remain in high demand among collectors of modern supercars.

F2003-GA Ferrari and Porsche 917K Draw Track-Focused Buyers

In November 2022, a 2003 Ferrari F2003-GA, chassis 229, was sold by RM Sotheby’s in Geneva for nearly $14.9 million. This Formula 1 car, used during the Schumacher era, now carries an adjusted value close to $16 million.

In August 2017, a 1970 Porsche 917K sold for over $14 million at Pebble Beach. Chassis 917-024 is one of the most iconic endurance race cars ever made, thanks to its dominance at Le Mans and place in motorsport history.

Aston Martin and More Ferrari Sales Stay Competitive

In December 2015, RM Auctions sold a 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, chassis DB4GT/0186/R, for $14.3 million. That car blends British style with Italian coachwork and has a value today around $19 million.

That same year, a 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C, chassis 9051, sold for $14.5 million at Pebble Beach. With its lightweight body and racing setup, this model is one of the most capable Ferraris from the 1960s.

Shelby’s First Cobra Pulls Big Numbers

One of the most talked-about sales in recent years was the original 1962 Shelby 260 Cobra, chassis CSX 2000. This car was the very first Cobra built by Carroll Shelby. It sold for $13.75 million at RM Sotheby’s in Monterey in August 2016. With inflation, that price sits around $18 million today. Its place in American racing history made it priceless to collectors.

Ferrari 250 GT Models Still Lead the Pack

The Ferrari 250 GT lineup remains a major force at auctions. In 2016, a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione sold for $13.5 million at Pebble Beach through Gooding & Company. That same year, another Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta "Tour de France," chassis 0557GT, brought in $13.2 million through RM Auctions. A year earlier, yet another 250 GT LWB California Spyder Competizione, chassis 1639 GT, crossed the block at $11.275 million at Pebble Beach.

A 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, serial 1995GT, also drew attention. It sold for $11.44 million in the UK through H&H Classics in 2015. These models keep proving that demand for Ferrari’s GT cars has not slowed down.

Prewar European Cars Still Draw Top Dollar

It’s not just Ferraris that hold value. Prewar European cars continue to sell strong. A 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS, chassis 90107, sold for $13.425 million at Amelia Island in 2022. That teardrop body style and low production made it a high-demand item.

In 2016, a 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza brought in nearly $12 million at Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach sale. A few years earlier, in 2012, a 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster sold for $11.77 million at the same event. These prewar cars offer a different kind of appeal, tied to craftsmanship and elegance.

Jaguar Icons Make an Impression

Jaguar’s rarest race models also show up on this list. In August 2023, a 1957 Jaguar XKSS sold for $13.2 million at RM Sotheby’s in Monterey. That car, chassis XKSS 707, is part of the small batch that remained after Jaguar canceled its D-Type racing project. In 2015, a Jaguar C-Type Works Lightweight, chassis XKC 052, sold for the same amount at RM Auctions.

Aston Martin and Ferrari Keep the Competition Tight

Aston Martin’s presence remains strong. A 1961 DB4 GT Zagato MP209, chassis DB4GT/0183/R, sold at Bonhams in 2018 for just under $13 million. With only a handful built, this car is considered one of Aston’s finest.

The Ferrari 340/375 MM Berlinetta Competizione, chassis 0320AM, sold in Italy in 2013 for over $12.8 million. It had a racing background, including a strong showing at Mille Miglia events, which helped raise its value.

Testa Rossa Still Packs a Punch

One of the most iconic names in Ferrari racing history is the Testa Rossa. In May 2009, RM Auctions sold a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, chassis 0714TR, for $12.4 million in Maranello. Today, that value is closer to $18.2 million. These early racing Ferraris are always in demand, especially with complete records and original components.

Ferrari 312 PB and 250 LM Keep the Momentum

In May 2023, a 1972 Ferrari 312 PB, chassis 0886, sold in Cernobbio for over $13 million. Built for endurance racing, the 312 PB marked Ferrari’s success in the World Sportscar Championship. An earlier Ferrari 250 LM, chassis 6045, sold for $11.55 million in Monterey back in 2014.

Ford GT40 Breaks Records in Monterey

In August 2012, a 1968 Ford GT40 with chassis number P/1074 was auctioned by RM Auctions in Monterey. It brought in $11 million at the time. Today, that sale would equal about $15 million. This was one of the original Gulf-liveried race cars and had ties to Steve McQueen’s film Le Mans, which pushed its value up.

California Spyders Continue to Rise in Value

Ferrari’s 250 GT California Spyders always draw attention, and two of them made this list. The first, a 1961 SWB version, sold in Maranello for just under $10.9 million in May 2008 through RM Auctions and Sotheby’s. With inflation, that number sits close to $16 million today.

Another one, the 1959 250 GT LWB California Spyder Competizione, chassis 1235 GT, was sold by Gooding & Company in Pebble Beach in August 2021. It went for $10.84 million. This model was race-prepped from the factory, adding to its rarity and appeal.

Modern Bugatti Enters the List with the Chiron Profilée

In January 2023, a one-of-a-kind 2022 Bugatti Chiron Profilée sold for over $10.6 million at RM Sotheby’s in Paris. This marked one of the highest auction prices ever for a modern production car. It also made headlines as the final W16-powered Bugatti with a factory-built one-off spec.

Pre-War Bugattis Still Draw Strong Interest

Gooding & Company sold a 1932 Bugatti Type 55 for $10.4 million in 2016 at Pebble Beach. That car, chassis 55213, remains one of the highest-priced pre-war sports cars sold.

Another Bugatti, the 1937 Type 57SC Atalante, brought in just over $10.3 million at Pebble Beach in 2022. Chassis 57523 is one of the very few supercharged versions of the Type 57 still in original condition.

Classic American Luxury: Duesenberg’s Big Number

In August 2011, a 1931 Duesenberg Model J Long-Wheelbase Coupe sold for $10.34 million at Pebble Beach through Gooding & Company. That number equals nearly $14.5 million in today’s money. The car, chassis 2478, was one of the most elegant and rare Duesenbergs ever offered at auction.

The Rare Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster

A very limited production 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster sold for $10.2 million in Las Vegas in November 2023. RM Sotheby’s ran the sale. With only a handful ever made, this model is one of the most valuable homologation cars of the modern era.

Porsche 956 Adds to Monterey’s Heavy Sales

In 2015, a 1982 Porsche 956 with chassis 956-003 sold for just over $10.1 million at Gooding & Company in Pebble Beach. This was one of the early Group C prototypes and had multiple wins in endurance racing. It remains one of the most expensive racing Porsches ever sold.

Classic Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Keeps Its Value

Back in August 2014, a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4, chassis 10621, sold for just over $10.1 million. The auction was held by RM Auctions in Monterey. These front-engine V12 Ferraris are still considered top-tier collectibles among Ferrari purists.

The Only LaFerrari Aperta Auctioned by the Factory

In September 2017, Ferrari auctioned a 2017 LaFerrari Aperta in Maranello to raise funds for charity. The final hammer price was just under $10 million. When adjusted, the sale equals over $12.8 million. It was the last Aperta built and remains the only one sold directly by Ferrari outside the initial production run.

Two Mercedes 540 K Special Roadsters Sell for Nearly the Same Price

RM Sotheby’s sold two different 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadsters at public auctions. The first sold in August 2022 in Monterey for about $9.9 million. The second went for the same amount in January 2016 in Scottsdale. Adjusted for inflation, the 2016 sale equals nearly $13 million. Both cars were examples of German pre-war luxury at its peak, combining rare coachwork with matching serial numbers and limited production.

Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe Breaks Records in 1987

The 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe is one of the most legendary prewar cars ever built. It sold for $9.8 million at a Christie’s auction in London on November 17, 1987. In today’s value, that’s over $27.1 million. Its serial number was 41.141, and the car is still seen as one of the most valuable antiques in the collector world.

Bugatti and Mercedes Icons from the 1930s

On March 10, 2016, Bonhams sold a 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Sports Tourer for $9.7 million in Amelia Island, Florida. The car, chassis 57541, is one of the most stylish prewar Bugattis still in existence.

A few years earlier, RM Auctions moved a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Roadster. That car, sold in Monterey on August 20, 2011, went for just under $9.7 million. Adjusted for inflation, that’s around $13.5 million today. Its chassis number was 154140. The 540K is one of the most recognizable prewar German cars ever built.

Ferraris Dominate the $9 Million Range

The Ferrari 250 LM shows up often among the top sellers. In January 2015, RM Auctions sold one with chassis number 5899 for $9.6 million in Scottsdale. Its value now sits around $12.7 million.

More recently, on August 18, 2023, Gooding & Company sold a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta in Pebble Beach for $9.46 million. That car, chassis 3507 GT, is known for its balance between street comfort and race-ready design.

Back in 2014, Gooding & Company sold a 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta 'Tour de France' for $9.46 million. Chassis 0703 GT changed hands in Scottsdale, and the adjusted price today would be more than $12.5 million.

A few years later, RM Sotheby’s sold a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder for $9.45 million in Maranello, Italy. The chassis number was 1503 GT, and it reflected the ongoing demand for open-top Ferraris with racing history.

Other Top Ferrari Sales Close to $10 Million

In January 2015, Bonhams sold a 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione, chassis 09079, for $9.4 million in Scottsdale. This model was one of the factory-built competition cars with full race spec, making it one of the most desired 275 variants.

The 1962 Ferrari 330 TRI/LM Spider, serial 0808, sold for $9.28 million in May 2007. RM Auctions and Sotheby’s ran the sale in Maranello. This model was the last Ferrari to win Le Mans with a front engine, making it historically important. That adjusted value is now over $14 million.

Rare Mercedes and Hispano-Suiza Raise the Bar

One of the newer headline sales came in October 2024, when a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Alloy" Gullwing sold for $9.35 million in Los Angeles. The car had chassis number 198.043.5500872 and was one of the rare alloy-bodied versions that were built for racing.

Another standout was the 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C "Tulipwood" Torpedo. RM Sotheby’s sold it in August 2022 for $9.24 million at Monterey. Its chassis number, 11012, is tied to a car built for long-distance endurance and made with lightweight wooden panels, making it one of the most unique cars on this list.

Ferrari 375 MM Spyder Caps the Group

Back in August 2013, RM Auctions sold a 1953 Ferrari 375 MM Spyder for just over $9 million. The car had chassis number 0364AM and changed hands in Monterey. It’s one of the most important early racing Ferraris and reflects how postwar European race cars continue to draw strong prices.