Classic cars are highly valued by the elite who spare no expense in investing in them. Below is a list of the top 10 most expensive classic cars sold at auction.
Since 2009, cars have begun to be auctioned off for record-breaking prices. This trend is exemplified by The Quail, The Goodings & Company Pebble Beach auction and RM Auctions Monterey Sale, all held during the Monterey Car Week in the United States. Most of the highest-priced cars auctioned off are rare vintage race cars produced in limited quantities. Let’s take a look at the top 10 most expensive classic cars.
- 1960 Ferrari 250 GT California LWB Competizione Spyder
Sold at: Gooding & Company Pebble Beach 2012
Price: $11,275,000
This is one of only nine California Spiders made with an aluminum body, which was displayed at the 1960 Chicago Auto Show. In 2012, this car was in pristine condition and was sold for $11,275,000 at Pebble Beach.
- 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster
Sold at: Goodings & Company Pebble Beach 2012
Price: $11,770,000
This rare car is one of the top 10 highest-priced cars sold at auction worldwide to date that is not a Ferrari racing car. The beautiful Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster was specially ordered with unique custom details. When it was sold for $11,770,000 in 2012, it had only had three owners.
- 1957 Ferrari 250 Testarossa
Sold at: RM Auctions Marranello Sale 2009
Price: $12,402,500
Only 34 Ferrari 250 Testarossas were ever made, including the prototype. This car is the fourth one ever made with chassis number 0714 and the second one sold. In 2009, the 1957 Ferrari 250 Testarossa was sold for over $12 million at Marranello.
This car participated in the Grand Prix Cuba held in Havana in 1958, which was disrupted when Fidel Castro’s revolutionaries kidnapped the then-Formula 1 world champion, Juan Manuel Fangio. The race resumed later, and the Testarossa finished 13th with its owner, driver Piero Drogo.
- 1953 Ferrari 340/375 MM Berlinetta ‘Competizione’
Sold at: RM Auctions Villa Erba Sale, Italy, 2013
Price: $12,812,800
This Ferrari race car from the 1950s was sold for $12,812,800. It is one of three Ferrari 375MM race cars that participated in the 1953 Le Mans 24-hour race and the only one ever driven by three Formula 1 world champions: Mike Hawthorn, Alberto Ascari, and Giuseppe Ferina. It also won the 12-hour race at Pescara.
