5 most expensive cars sold at auction
When you think of high-end and most expensive cars, brands like Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, Pagani, and others come to mind. However, one of the most sought-after purchases of the world’s wealthiest individuals are legendary car models that are over 50 years old.
“Collectible cars are purchases that require not only specific knowledge but also a large amount of financial capital. Limited edition or discontinued, rare, and exclusive cars are considered collectible because of their association with famous figures from films or real life. Such cars often end up at auctions and change owners, with their prices constantly increasing and reaching millions of euros,” says Vilius Oškeliūnas, founder and investor of Commody, the collectible car platform.
According to Vilius, these five cars are currently considered the most expensive collector models in the world for one reason or another:
5. Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti (1957)
Price: 33.2 million euros.
This car, created in 1957, is renowned for its sleek, curved design. Its rich racing history justifies its esteemed position on this list. The Ferrari model participated in iconic races of its time, including the Mille Miglia and Le Mans.
4. Ferrari 250 GTO (1962)
Price: 35.4 million euros.
In 2014, this car from 1962 became the most expensive ever sold at auction, a record that stood for four years. It was built to compete in the 1963 FIA World Endurance Championship, where it achieved victory. With only 36 cars of this model produced by Ferrari, they are extremely rare on the market. This particular car is one of the best-preserved models.
3. Ferrari 250 GTO (1962)
Price: 45 million euros.
The second car on this list, the Ferrari 250 GTO, was sold in 2018 at RM Sotheby’s auction in Monterey. Previously owned by Ferrari enthusiast Greg Whitten for decades, the car’s arrival at the auction drew attention, with legendary 5-times Le Mans winner Derek Bell sitting behind the wheel. This undoubtedly increased the car’s auction price, leading to an impressive sale in just 10 minutes.
2. Ferrari 330 LM 250 GTO by Scaglietti (1962)
Price: 48.1 million euros.
This one of the sought-after classic Ferrari was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in New York in 2023, fetching an impressive amount. Despite its initial estimate in the automotive category, it was eventually sold in the art category. With a colorful history and victories on numerous race tracks, this particular car is the only one of its type raced by Scuderia Ferrari, with other renowned drivers such as Mike Parkes and Lorenzo Bandini behind its wheel.
1. Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe (1955)
Price: 135 million euros.
One of only two such cars produced in the world was sold for 135 million euros at an exclusive auction held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. Over 69 years, this car has traveled only about 6,000 kilometers. Although the car was not raced, its engine was taken from the legendary two-time Grand Prix World Championship-winning Mercedes-Benz W196R, driven by Juan Manuel Fangio.