The 10 Most Expensive Cars Ever Sold At Auction

The popularity of classic cars has never been higher in the UK and around the world. But do you know what the most expensive cars ever sold at auction are? We take a look at the top 10...

10. 1954 Ferrari 375-Plus Spider Competizione 
How much? $18,400,177 
Auctioneer: Bonhams 
Date sold: 27 June 2014

Sold by the famous auctioneers Bonhams, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2015, another Ferrari 375-Plus was also sold for over £10 million. An iconic car with a 4.9 litre engine, it helped Ferrari win the 1954 Sports Car Championship.

9. 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider 
How much? $18,500,000 
Auctioneer: Artcurial 
Date sold: 6 February 2015

Would you believe it? This car was one of 59 rare classics that were found in a barn. It was once owned by the famous French actor Alain Delon. 

8. 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider by Touring 
How much? $19,800,000
Auctioneer: RM Sotheby's Auctions
Date sold: 19 - 20 August 2016

One of the few cars that is not a Ferrari in our countdown, it is the Italian equivalent of the Bugatti Atlantic; the ultimate Italian sports car of its generation.

7. 1955 Jaguar D-Type 
How much? $21,780,000 
Auctioneer: RM Sotheby's Auctions 
Date sold: 19 - 20 August 2016

One of the greatest British sports cars ever built, it was a D-Type that won the Le Mans 24 Hours race in 1955, 1956 and 1958

6. 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale 
How much? $26,400,000 
Auctioneer: RM Sotheby’s 
Date sold: 16 August 2014

There were must three of these cars ever built, every one of them displaying an iconic design with a lightweight aluminium body and a powerful 3.2 litre engine.

5. 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4S NART Spider 
How much? $27,500,000 
Auctioneer: RM Sotheby’s
Date sold: 17 August 2013

There were only 10 of these type of Ferrari built in open top which means this is a seriously desirable car amongst investors and fans. Perhaps just as importantly though, this was the car that was driven by Steve McQueen in The Thomas Crown affair.

4. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM 
How much? $28,050,000 
Auctioneer: RM Sotheby’s 
Date sold: 10 December 2015

Another stunning Ferrari, it was developed to compete in the 1956 edition of Mille Miglia, hence the acronym "MM".

3. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 
How much? $29,600,000 
Auctioneer: Bonhams 
Date sold: 12 July 2013

One of the few cars in our countdown that isn’t a Ferrari, this exact car was a winner of multiple Grand Prixs and was driven by Juan Manuel Fangio, a multiple world champion. 

2. 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti 
How much? $35,711,359 
Auctioneer: Artcurial 
Date sold: 5 February 2016

Driven by multiple champion racing drivers including Mike Hawthorn in the Le Mans 24 Hours, this is a true classic car that represents style, speed and sophistication.

1. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO 
How much? $38,115,000 
Auctioneer: Bonhams 
Date sold: 14 August 2014

Just 100 of these were supposed to be built to comply with racing regulations but for some reasons Ferrari got away with building just 39. The looks, feel, handling and history of this car make it the most valuable Ferrari and the most valuable car ever to be sold at auction.

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17th of March 2017