The 10 Most Expensive Cars Ever Sold at Auction
For car enthusiasts and collectors, classic vehicles aren’t just modes of transportation, they’re rolling works of art, storied race machines, and investment-grade assets. Some fetch astronomical prices at auction, often rivaling fine art and historic artifacts.
Here are the top 10 most expensive cars ever sold at auction, ranked by their sale price in US dollars, including buyer’s premium.
1. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé
Sold for: $143 million
Auction: RM Sotheby’s (Private auction, Stuttgart, May 2022)
This one-of-two coupe version of Mercedes’ legendary 300 SLR race car is not only the most expensive car ever sold—it’s the most valuable vehicle of any kind ever auctioned. Built for Le Mans, but never raced, the Uhlenhaut Coupé is an engineering marvel and design icon. Its sale shattered previous records.
2. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R “Streamliner”
Sold for: $53.9 million
Auction: RM Sotheby’s, Stuttgart (February 2025)
Driven by F1 legends like Juan Manuel Fangio, the W196 is one of the most important race cars of all time. The Streamliner body variant gave it incredible aerodynamic performance. With Grand Prix victories and historical importance, this sale stunned the motorsport world.
3. 1962 Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO
Sold for: $51.705 million
Auction: RM Sotheby’s, New York (November 2023)
This is the only 250 GTO originally built with a 4.0-liter engine and factory designated as a 330 LM. Raced by Scuderia Ferrari and immaculately preserved, this rare variant became the most expensive Ferrari ever sold at a public auction.
4. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO (Chassis 3413GT)
Sold for: $48.405 million
Auction: RM Sotheby’s, Monterey (August 2018)
Perhaps the most famous Ferrari ever made, the 250 GTO is the holy grail of collectible cars. This particular GTO was a race winner, road-legal, and beautifully preserved—helping it set the record at the time.
5. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO (Chassis 3851GT)
Sold for: $38.115 million
Auction: Bonhams, Quail Lodge (August 2014)
Another stunning GTO, this one was owned and raced by French driver Jo Schlesser. Its originality and competition history added to its prestige, making it one of the first cars to push the $30M+ auction boundary.
6. 1964 Ferrari 250 LM (Le Mans Winner)
Sold for: $36.3 million
Auction: RM Sotheby’s, Paris (February 2025)
A true legend—this 250 LM took overall victory at the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans, the last Ferrari to do so. Race history like this is priceless, and collectors were ready to bid accordingly.
7. 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti
Sold for: $35.7 million
Auction: Artcurial, Paris (February 2016)
With just four ever built and racing success in the Mille Miglia and Le Mans, this 335 S is a rare beast. The combination of rarity, performance, and beauty helped this one become the most expensive car ever sold in Europe.
8. 1967 Ferrari 412 P Berlinetta
Sold for: $30.255 million
Auction: Bonhams, 2023
A sibling to the iconic 330 P3/4, the 412 P was Ferrari’s answer to Ford’s GT40. Its curvaceous body, rarity (just a handful were made), and Le Mans pedigree made it a dream car for collectors.
9. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 (F1 Racer)
Sold for: $29.6 million
Auction: Bonhams, Goodwood (July 2013)
Another variant of the F1-winning W196, this open-wheel version was also driven by Fangio. It became the most expensive F1 car ever sold when it crossed the block over a decade ago.
10. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM
Sold for: $28.05 million
Auction: RM Sotheby’s, New York (December 2015)
Built for the legendary Mille Miglia and driven by Juan Manuel Fangio himself, the 290 MM was one of Ferrari’s most powerful sports racers of the 1950s. Only four were built, and its impeccable history, rarity, and condition made it one of the most prized Ferraris to ever hit the auction block.
