When it comes to the world of collector cars, the auction block has evolved into a dramatic stage, where automotive legends trade hands for astounding sums of money. No longer confined to showroom floors, private collections, and museums, vintage and collector cars now surface at both private and public auctions. Given how collector cars have become an alternative investment asset class that can generate substantial returns for investors, they ignite serious bidding wars at auction with sale prices into the tens and even hundreds of millions. These cars are under the spotlight every time they hit the stage at a classic car auction.
From Pebble Beach to the Monterey Car Week and Amelia Island to Paris, these high-stakes events have become headline generators showcasing the rarest examples of exquisite design, engineering excellence, and racing history. For wealthy collectors and institutions alike, owning such a vehicle is so much more than a matter of prestige, as these cars represent a piece of automotive history and elite lineage that includes names like Rudolf Uhlenhaut, Enzo Ferrari, and Peter Collins. Be it a Ferrari with Scuderia heritage or a Mercedes-Benz W 196R Stromlinienwagen driven by motorsport veterans like Sir Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio, every car to feature in this list has a story to tell.
Speaking of motorsport, ever since the dawn of the automobile in the late 19th century, racing has been a form of advertisement for automakers. It has been a proving ground and a way to showcase performance, durability, and innovation. Victories on the racetrack translated to credibility on the road. It is no coincidence that the top 10 Most Expensive Cars Sold At Auction of all time are all post-World War II race cars. These machines are far from garage queens and have rightfully earned their stripes at races like Daytona, Mille Miglia, Nürburgring, Le Mans, Sebring, and the Targa Florio. So with that, here’s a look at what makes these cars some of the most highly sought-after automobiles on the planet.
10. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM By Scaglietti: $28,050,000
Auction Date: December 10, 2015 | Auctioneer: RM Sotheby’s
- A frontline factory race car, the “Holy Grail” of Ferrari motoring
- 1956 Mille Miglia, Juan Manuel Fangio, 4th-overall
- Played a key role in Ferrari securing the 1956 World Sportscar Championship
Let’s kick things off with this pristine 1956 Ferrari 290 MM. This particular car was initially a Works Ferrari prototype and is one of only four made. It enjoys a rich and distinguished motorsports career. It was specifically built to compete in the World Sports Car (WSC) Championship. With the looming threat from the dominant Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari designed an all-new V12 engine derived from Ferrari’s Grand Prix engines. Enzo Ferrari convinced Juan Manuel Fangio to lead the pack, and he competed with the car in the 1956 Mille Miglia. While Fangio secured a 4th place at the Mille Miglia, the car later achieved a championship victory at the IV Mil Kilometros Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Other noteworthy drivers include legendary figures like Phil Hill, Alfonso de Portago, and Peter Collins.
After its racing career, the car came under the ownership of Temple Buell in New York, before passing through several hands and eventually becoming part of Pierre Bardinon’s museum collection in France. As an unrestored example of Ferrari’s racing heritage, the car would later be acquired by yet another private collector. It finally appeared on the auction block in 2015, and at just over $28 million, the tremendous auction price is a showcase of the historical significance of chassis: 0626.
1956 Ferrari 290 MM specs
| Engine Displacement | 219 cu in (3,490 cc) |
| Engine Configuration | V12 |
| Horsepower | 320 hp @ 7,200 rpm |
| Torque | – |
| Weight | ~1,940 lbs |
| Drivetrain Layout | Front-engine, RWD |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| Top Speed | 174 mph |
| Serial Number (s/n) | 0626 |
9. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R: $29,600,000
Auction Date: July 12, 2013 | Auctioneer: Bonhams
- Marked the return of Mercedes-Benz in F1 in the post-war era
- Fangio won multiple races and his second championship with this W196
- Was the sole surviving W196 in private hands
When it crossed the auction block at the Bonhams Goodwood auction back in 2013, held at the annual Festival of Speed, the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196: chassis 00006/54 achieved a cool $29.6 million. The W196 featured significant innovations for the time, including fuel injection and desmodromic valves, and was a key player in Mercedes-Benz’s successful return to Grand Prix racing after World War II. This specific car was driven by Juan Manuel Fangio to victory in the German and Swiss Grand Prix at Berne in 1954 to victory. 1954 was also the year when Fangio secured his second Formula 1 Drivers World Championship.
Unlike most surviving examples, which are preserved at the Mercedes-Benz museum or other museums, this particular car entered private hands. As a result, this sale marked a unique instance where a factory racing Mercedes-Benz W196 was offered for sale at a classic car auction. Given its high auction premium and its profound impact on post-war Grand Prix racing, W196 racing cars are not only of significant importance, but were also instrumental in reshaping automotive history, marking a resurgence of German industrial might, as witnessed in the pre-war era in the 1930s.
1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R specs
| Engine Displacement | 183 cu in (2,496 cc) |
| Engine Configuration | Inline-8 |
| Horsepower | 257 hp @ 8,250 rpm |
| Torque | 183 lb-ft @ 6,300 rpm |
| Weight | ~1,545 lbs |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| Drivetrain Layout | Front-engine, RWD |
| Top Speed | 180 mph |
| Serial Number (s/n) | 196 196 010 00006/54 |
8. 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta: $30,255,000
Auction Date: August 18, 2023 | Auctioneer: Bonhams
- Bodywork designed by Fantuzzi, with the assistance of Edmondo Casoli
- Contributed crucial Championship points that helped Ferrari win in 1967
- Was subject to a meticulous 9-year restoration
By far, the most stunning-looking car to feature on this list, the 1967 Ferrari 412P, chassis 0854, hit $30.2 million at Bonhams’ 2023 Carmel auction. This car is in fact a privateer version of the famed P3/4. The competition Ferrari that you’re looking at raced at legendary events like Spa, where it secured a 3rd place finish, driven by Richard Attwood and Lucien Bianchi, and at Le Mans, once again with Attwood and Piers Courage. The 412P secured vital championship points for Ferrari in 1967. The car also won the 1968 Nuremberg 200 km, Solituderennen at Hockenheim, and the Swedish Grand Prix.
While the car has undergone a long nine-year restoration, it retains the original chassis, engine, and gearbox. It’s a 4.0-liter V12, and design DNA reflects Ferrari’s factory cars, offering up the amenities soul but with a private ownership history. Few road cars or race winners possess or come close to matching the racing pedigree of this exquisite creation.
1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta specs
| Engine Displacement | 243 cu in (3,989 cc) |
| Engine Configuration | V12 |
| Horsepower | 415 hp @ 8,000 rpm |
| Torque | 450 lb-ft |
| Weight | 1,840 lbs |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| Drivetrain Layout | Mid-engine, RWD |
| Top Speed | 192 mph |
| Serial Number (s/n) | 0854 |
7. 1957 Ferrari 335 S: $35,730,510
Auction Date: February 15, 2016 | Auctioneer: Artcurial
- Key player in Ferrari winning the WSC 1957 World Constructors’ Title
- One of the last Ferraris that saw action in high-speed road racing in Italy
- Used as a reference in the film ‘Ferrari’ by Michael Mann
When the hammer fell at Artcurial’s Retromobile sale in Paris, back in 2016, the 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport: chassis 0674 had just fetched $35.7 million. Driven by the likes of racing legends like Peter Collins at Sebring, Wolfgang Von Trips, who was able to secure a second-place finish in the Mille Miglia, and Mike Hawthorn at Le Mans, the Ferrari 335 Sport enjoys a rich racing history. It also secured a second win at the 1958 Cuban Grand Prix, with Stirling Moss and Masten Gregory at the wheel. This was also where Fangio was famously kidnapped.
The car initially featured a 3.8-liter V12 that was later uprated to 4.1 liters for serious endurance duty. Despite the Ferrari 335 Sport’s connection to the tragic 1957 Mille Miglia accident involving Alfonso De Portago in the sister car, the car’s second-place finish and ownership history that includes a wealthy collector like Pierre Bardinon make it a highly desirable asset. Its auction premium and sale price demonstrate how valuable period-correct race cars with Ferrari’s racing pedigree can be.
1957 Ferrari 335 S specs
| Engine Displacement | 245 cu in (4,023 cc) |
| Engine Configuration | V12 |
| Horsepower | 390 hp @ 7,400 rpm |
| Torque | – |
| Weight | 1,940 lbs |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| Drivetrain Layout | Front-engine, RWD |
| Top Speed | 186 mph |
| Serial Number (s/n) | 0674 |
6. 1964 Ferrari 250 LM By Scaglietti: $36,344,960
Auction Date: February 5, 2025 | Auctioneer: RM Sotheby’s
- The only privateer-entered Ferrari to win at Le Mans
- Only Enzo-era Ferrari race car to compete in record six 24-hour races (3 Le Mans | 3 Daytona)
- The overall winner at the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans
More recently, in February 2025, a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM, chassis: 5893, crossed the auction block at RM Sotheby’s in Paris, selling for $36.4 million. While not the brand’s first endurance race icon, the 250 LM was a pivotal sports car for Ferrari in the mid-engine V12 format. This particular example, like countless other Ferraris on this list, also boasts an extensive racing history, famously winning the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans under a renowned privateer, Luigi Chinetti’s North American Racing Team (NART). Piloted by the likes of famous drivers like Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt, this car is one of 32 made and still retains the original engine.
While most 250 LMs are now with private owners or in museums, making their appearance at classic car auctions rare, this particular example was offered by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum after 54 years. It is a significant development in recent times. As a car that represents Ferrari’s golden age and the only privateer-enter Ferrari to win at Le Mans, highlights its unique status in the collector car world.
1964 Ferrari 250 LM By Scaglietti specs
| Engine Displacement | 201 cu in (3,286 cc) |
| Engine Configuration | V12 |
| Horsepower | 315 hp @ 7,500 rpm |
| Torque | 231 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpm |
| Weight | 1,808 lbs |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Drivetrain Layout | Mid-engine, RWD |
| Top Speed | 180 mph |
| Serial Number (s/n) | 5893 |
5. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta: $38,115,000
Auction Date: August 14, 2014 | Auctioneer: Bonhams
- The world’s longest-held Ferrari 250 GTO (49 years)
- Previously part of the prestigious Maranello Rosso Collection
- Participated in more races than any other 250 GTO
Moving on to the first of three Ferrari 250 GTOs to feature on this list. Over a decade ago, back in 2014, a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, chassis: 3851GT, became the most valuable car when it sold at a public auction for over $38.11 million, at Bonhams’ Quail Lodge Auction. Delivered new to French driver Jo Schlesser, the car saw action extensively in period racing history, which is well documented. It achieved a second-place finish at the 1962 Tour de France, 12 class victories, and 14 hill-climb races entered in 1963. Subsequently, the car was sold to private collector Fabrizio Violati in 1965.
Given its achievements, auctioneer Bonhams highlighted it as an outstanding example to be offered at a public auction. While events like the annual Goodwood Revival and Pebble Beach Concours often showcase similar models, few have come close to matching this particular 250 GTO’s authenticity and racing history. However, this car’s record sale figure would eventually be surpassed by two more prancing horses in 2018 and 2023, respectively.
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta By Scaglietti specs
| Engine Displacement | 180 cu in (2,953 cc) |
| Engine Configuration | V12 |
| Horsepower | 296 hp @ 7,500 rpm |
| Torque | 217 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpm |
| Weight | 1,940 lbs |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| Drivetrain Layout | Front-engine, RWD |
| Top Speed | 174 mph |
| Serial Number (s/n) | 3851GT |
4. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO By Scaglietti: $48,405,000
Auction Date: August 26, 2018 | Auctioneer: RM Sotheby’s
- Third of only 36 Ferrari GTOs ever built
- 1 of 4 upgraded by Scaglietti, and 1 of 7 with the more aggressive coachwork
- More than 15 class and overall wins between 1962-1965
The classic car auction at RM Sotheby’s during Monterey Car Week in August 2018 saw a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, chassis 3413, go under the hammer for $48.4 million. Originally a Series I model, this GTO was upgraded by Carrozzeria Scaglietti to Series II specifications. It is one of just four cars to feature this upgrade in this period, contributing to its unique status among collector cars.
With the likes of Edoardo Lualdi-Gabardi’s massive success in the 1962 Italian GT championship, this particular example boasts a significant racing career. Its impressive racing pedigree also extends to the fact that it played a crucial role in Ferrari’s 1964 Championship victory for GT manufacturers, thanks to its class win at the Targa Florio. Preserved by wealthy collectors, this GTO with its original chassis and a lineage of respected private collectors. The high sale price is a reflection of its historical importance, and it remains a favourite at prestigious classic car events like Pebble Beach.
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO By Scaglietti specs
| Engine Displacement | 180 cu in (2,953 cc) |
| Engine Configuration | V12 |
| Horsepower | 296 hp @ 7,500 rpm |
| Torque | 217 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpm |
| Weight | 1,940 lbs |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| Drivetrain Layout | Front-engine, RWD |
| Top Speed | 174 mph |
| Serial Number (s/n) | 3413GT |
3. 1962 Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO By Scaglietti: $51,705,000
Auction Date: November 13, 2023 | Auctioneer: RM Sotheby’s
- The only 1962 GTO Tipo, raced by Scuderia Ferrari
- Previously owned by the Chairman of the Ferrari Club of America, Fred Leydorf
- Multiple awards to its name: Cavallino Classic, Pebble Beach, Amelia Island
Now, onto the most expensive Ferrari on this list. In late 2023, this 1962 Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO, chassis: 3765 LM, fetched an impressive $51.7 million at auction. The car represents a significant high point in Scuderia Ferrari’s racing history, having been driven by the likes of Mike Parkes and Lorenzo Bandini. Specifically built to compete in the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans, it was the only GTO raced by Ferrari’s factory team. The car’s debut at the 1000 km Nürburgring was historic, as it secured a class win and second place overall. While it qualified well at Le Mans, it eventually retired due to overheating. The car would eventually be converted to standard GTO specifications, and chassis 3765 saw multiple class victories in Italian races and finished second in the 1965 Sicilian Hillclimb Championship.
After passing through several prominent private collectors, this 250 GTO remained a single-ownership Ferrari with an Ohio-based collector for 38 years. Since then, the car has been restored and is often displayed at prestigious events like Pebble Beach and Amelia Island. Its unique road race legacy and connection to Enzo Ferrari’s factory team have cemented its status as a highly collectible automobile.
1962 Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO specs
| Engine Displacement | 242 cu in (3,967 cc) |
| Engine Configuration | V12 |
| Horsepower | 390 hp @ 7,500 rpm |
| Torque | 217 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpm |
| Weight | 1,940 lbs |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| Drivetrain Layout | Front-engine, RWD |
| Top Speed | 174 mph |
| Serial Number (s/n) | 3765LM |
2. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen: $53,917,370
Auction Date: February 1, 2025 | Auctioneer: RM Sotheby’s
- The most expensive F1 car sold at auction
- Only 4 examples feature Stromlinienwagen (Streamliner) bodywork
- Driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss in 1954, 1955
While Ferrari has dominated the top spots for some of the most expensive cars sold at auction for decades, historic racing models from the Mercedes-Benz brand have started to steal the show, selling for record-breaking sums of money. One such car is the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen, chassis: 00009/54, which sold for $53.9 million. This remarkable auction price made it the most expensive Formula 1 car to ever sell at auction. Driven by racing legends like Fangio and Moss, these cars dominated Grand Prix racing in the mid-1950s. Of the 14 chassis built, only four featured the streamlined Stromlinienwagen coachwork was made from Elektron magnesium alloy, weighing just 88 pounds. The car was designed for high-speed circuits like Monza and Riems. It famously won the Buenos Aires Grand Prix in 1955, with Fangio at the wheel.
A creation of Mercedes’ chief engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut, along with racing manager Alfred Neubauer, most surviving Stromlinienwagen models have been in museum collections, including this example seen here, which comes from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. The car’s re-emergence and subsequent private ownership mark a significant shift in the collector car world, and this auction sale has firmly established its place as one of the most noteworthy and expensive auction sales for historically important racing cars to date.
1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen specs
| Engine Displacement | 183 cu in (2,496 cc) |
| Engine Configuration | Inline-8 |
| Horsepower | 290 hp @ 8,500 rpm |
| Torque | 210 lb-ft @ 7,000 rpm |
| Weight | ~1,545 lbs |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| Drivetrain Layout | Front-engine, RWD |
| Top Speed | 186 mph |
| Serial Number (s/n) | 00009/54 |
1. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe: $143,000,000
Auction Date: May 5, 2022 | Auctioneer: RM Sotheby’s
- 1 of 2 prototypes ever built
- It was famously Uhlenhaut’s daily driver
- Based on the championship-winning Mercedes Grand Prix car driven by Fangio
Moving on to the car that takes the top spot on our list, which broke all previous records back in 2022. When the hammer finally fell at a special auction held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut coupe sold for a nine-figure auction price, surpassing the previous record back then by a staggering $90 million. The final price, $143 million, instantly made it the most valuable car sold at auction. Often referred to as the ‘Mona Lisa of Cars’, the 300 SLR is named after chief engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut. Based on the Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Grand Prix car driven by veteran racer Fangio, this car was one of only two prototypes ever built and was never intended for sale.
It was designed to close the gap between racing pedigree and road cars. The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut featured a magnesium alloy body and the iconic gullwing doors, which became synonymous with the 300 SL road car. The lightweight body and the 3.0-liter straight eight engine were capable of 180 mph, making it one of the fastest cars in the world at the time. The car’s tremendous auction price reflects its significance in automotive history, and the proceeds from the auction will benefit education and research. While Mercedes-Benz will continue to display the remaining 300 SLR at its museum, the new owner has also promised to occasionally display this example.
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut specs
| Engine Displacement | 182 cu in (2,982 cc) |
| Engine Configuration | Inline-8 |
| Horsepower | 310 hp @ 7,400 rpm |
| Torque | 229 lb-ft @ 5,950 rpm |
| Weight | 1,984 lbs |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| Drivetrain Layout | Front-engine, RWD |
| Top Speed | 180 mph |
| Serial Number (s/n) | 196.110-00008/55 |
Sources: RM Sotheby’s, Bonhams, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz
FAQs
1. What is the most expensive car sold at an auction?
A. The most expensive car ever sold at auction is the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, which fetched $143 million in a private sale conducted by RM Sotheby’s at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart in May 2022.
2. What was the most expensive car sold at Mecum auction 2025?
A. The top sale at the Mecum Kissimmee 2025 auction was a 1966 Ford GT40 MkI Road Car (P/1034), which fetched $7,040,000. This particular GT40 was the first of 31 Mk I road cars sold to individual buyers.
3. What was the most expensive car sold at the Barrett Jackson auction?
A. The highest-priced car ever sold at a Barrett-Jackson auction is the 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake, which achieved a sale price of $5.5 million in 2021. One of only two ever built, this rare vehicle is renowned for its exceptional performance and unique history.
4. Who owns the most expensive car in the world?
A. The identity of the buyer of the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, sold for around $143 million, has not been publicly disclosed. The sale was conducted privately, and the new owner has chosen to remain anonymous.
5. Is there a car worth $1 billion dollars?
A. No car today is valued at $1 billion. The most expensive new car, the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail at $28.2 million, is nowhere close to a billion dollars.