Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz cars are the most expensive automobiles sold at top classic car auctions, but many marques record prices over a million dollars.
Classic and rare exotic cars trade at multi-million-dollar prices. Privately, Ferraris are rumored to have sold for over $70 million, but public auctions remain the best indicator of what rare cars are worth. The marque record for Mercedes-Benz is $143 million, while the most-expensive Ferrari at auction achieved $51.7 million. The only other marque records above $20 million are for McLaren, Aston Martin, Duesenberg, Jaguar, and Gordon Murray. Even car brands that usually trade for lower figures may see the best-of-marque samples sell for well over a million dollars.
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The Most-Expensive Cars Ever
The highest price ever paid at public auction for a car is $143 million for the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, somewhat unexpectedly sold by the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart in 2022. It increased the previous Mercedes-Benz marque record from the $29.6 million paid for a 1954 W196R Formula 1 racing car.
The marque record for Ferrari is $51.7 million paid for a 1962 Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO in 2023.
The highest price ever paid at public auction for a purely road-going car is $27,500,000 for a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S N.A.R.T. Spider by Scaglietti. This result was achieved over a decade ago at the RM Auctions sale in Monterey in 2013.
The record price for a new car sold at public auction is $40,000,000 for a 2026 Ferrari Luce sold at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2026 after being donated by Ferrari for charity. This is also the most expensive charity lot, four-door saloon, and electric car ever,
→ See also: $10 Million Plus – the Most-Expensive Cars Ever
Most Expensive Classic Cars by Auction Year (2011-2026)
The highest prices achieved at classic car auctions in recent years were:
- 2026 (YTD): $42,905,00 for the 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe — See Top 10 for 2026 (YTD)
- 2025: $53,917,370 for a 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Streamliner — See Top 10 for 2025
- 2024: $17,875,000 for a 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider — See Top 10 for 2024
- 2023: $51,705,000 for a 1962 Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO — See Top 10 for 2023
- 2022: $143,000,000 for a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé — See Top 10 for 2022
- 2021: $20,465,000 for a 1995 McLaren F1 — See Top 10 for 2021
- 2020: $12,681,550 for a 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports — See Top 10 for 2020
- 2019: $19,805,000 for a 1994 McLaren F1 ‘LM-Specification’ — See Top 10 for 2019
- 2018: $48,405,000 for a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO — See Top 10 for 2018.
- 2017: $22,550,000 for a 1956 Aston Martin DBR1 — See Top 10 for 2017.
- 2016: $35,711,359 for a 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport — See Top 10 for 2016.
- 2015: $28,050,000 for a 1956 Ferrari 290 MM — See Top 10 for 2015.
- 2014: $38,115,000 for a 1962-63 Ferrari 250 GTO — See Top 10 for 2014.
- 2013: $29,650,095 for a 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Formula 1 — See Top 10 for 2013.
- 2012: $11,770,000 for a 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Roadster — See Top 10 for 2012.
- 2011: $16,390,000 for a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa — See Top 10 for 2011.
See Wikipedia for a detailed list (not always up to date) with adjusted prices.
Top Record Prices for Classic Cars by Marques at Auction
The following are the top prices ever paid at public auction for classic cars of various marques. All prices are nominal – i.e., prices paid at the time of auction and including premiums. Non-US dollar transactions converted to $ at the time of sale.
| Year | Car | Price (USD) | Auction House | Year | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider by Touring | 19,800,000 | RM Sotheby’s | 2016 | Monterey |
| 1956 | Aston Martin DBR1 | 22,550,000 | RM Sotheby’s | 2017 | Monterey |
| 1985 | Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 | 2,050,000 | RM Sotheby’s | 2022 | London |
| 1929 | Bentley “Birkin Blower” | 7,867,000 | Bonhams | 2012 | Goodwood Festival of Speed |
| 1908 | Benz | 1,870,000 | Bonhams | 2017 | Bothwell Collection |
| 1957 | BMW 507 Roadster | 5,031,683 | Bonhams | 2018 | Goodwood Festival of Speed |
| 1935 | Brewster Coupe Roadster | 577,000 | Gooding | 2023 | Virginia |
| 1934 | Bugatti Type 59 Sports | 12,681,550 | Gooding | 2020 | London |
| 1963 | Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport | 18,705,000 | RM Sotheby’s | 2026 | Monterey |
| 1932 | Chrysler CG Imperial Custom Roadster | 1,600,000 | Gooding | 2023 | Virginia |
| 1937 | Delage D8-120 S Aerodynamic Coupe | 5,780,000 | RM Sotheby’s | 2026 | Monterey |
| 1937 | Delahaye 135 Competition Court Torpedo Roadster | 6,600,000 | RM | 2014 | Amelia Island |
| 1935 | Duesenberg SSJ | 22,000,000 | Gooding | 2018 | Pebble Beach |
| 1962 | Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO | 51,705,000 | RM Sotheby’s | 2023 | New York |
| 1966 | Ford GT40 Mark II | 13,205,000 | RM Sotheby’s | 2025 | Miami |
| 1950 | Gordini Type 18S | 1,121,400 | Artcurial | 2022 | Paris |
| 1939 | Horch 853A Special Roadster | 5,170,000 | RM | 2012 | Monterey |
| 1931 | Invicta 4 ½ Litre S-Type Low Chassis Sports | 1,771,583 | Bonhams | 2020 | Paris |
| 1955 | Jaguar D-Type | 21,780,000 | RM Sotheby’s | 2016 | Monterey |
| 2003 | Honda NSX.R | 1,060,000 | Broad Arrow | 2025 | Villa d’Este |
| 2015 | Koenigsegg One:1 | 4,631,767 | Bonhams | 2019 | Bonmont Geneva |
| 2014 | Lamborghini Veneno Roadster | 8,337,182 | Bonhams | 2019 | Bonmont Geneva |
| 2012 | Lexus LFA Nürburgring | 1,875,000 | RM Sotheby’s | 2023 | Las Vegas |
| 1913 | Lozier Type 72 Meadowbrook Runabout | 1,765,000 | Gooding | 2023 | Pebble Beach |
| 2005 | Maserati MC12 | 9,460,000 | Mecum | 2026 | Indianapolis |
| 1989 | Mazda 767B | 1,750,000 | Gooding | 2017 | Amelia Island |
| 1996 | McLaren F1 GTR | 34,655,000 | RM Sotheby’s | 2026 | Monterey |
| 1903 | Mercedes-Simplex 60 HP ‘Roi des Belges’ | 12,100,000 | Gooding | 2024 | Amelia Island |
| 1955 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé | 143,000,000 | RM Sotheby’s | 2022 | Mercedes-Benz Museum |
| 1914 | Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout | 4,790,000 | Gooding | 2023 | Pebble Beach |
| 1932 | Miller FWD Special | 3,305,000 | Gooding Christie’s | 2026 | Amelia Island |
| 1911 | Oldsmobile Limited Series 27 Seven-Passenger Touring | 5,065,000 | Gooding Christie’s | 2025 | Long Beach |
| 2014 | Pagani Zonda LM Roadster | 11,086,250 | RM Sotheby’s | 2024 | Dubai |
| 1934 | Packard 1108 Twelve Individual Custom Sport by LeBaron | 4,295,000 | RM Sotheby’s | 2026 | Monterey |
| 1913 | Peugeot L45 Grand Prix Racers | 7,260,000 | Bonhams | 2017 | Bothwell Collection |
| 1971 | Porsche 917K | 14,080,000 | Gooding | 2017 | Pebble Beach |
| 1907 | Renault Type AI Vanderbilt Racer | 3,332,500 | Bonhams | 2020 | Amelia Island |
| 1912 | Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost “The Corgi” | 7,343,000 | Bonhams | 2012 | Goodwood |
| 1999 | RUF CTR “Yellowbird” | 6,055,000 | Gooding | 2025 | Amelia Island |
| 1964 | Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe | 42,905,000 | Gooding Christie’s | 2026 | Pebble Beach |
| 1912 | Simplex 50 HP 5 Passenger Torpedo Tourer | 4,845,000 | Bonhams | 2023 | Scottsdale |
| 1914 | Stutz 4E Bearcat | 2,920,000 | Gooding | 2021 | Pebble Beach |
| 1937 | Talbot Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupe | 13,425,000 | Gooding | 2022 | Amelia Island |
| 1967 | Toyota Shelby 2000 GT | 2,535,000 | Gooding | 2022 | Amelia Island |
| 1924 | Vauxhall 30-98 OE-Type Wensum | 1,658,510 | Gooding | 2020 | London |
| 1991 | Williams FW14 Formula 1 | 4,222,060 | RM Sotheby’s | 2022 | Monaco |
Most Expensive Cars by Country of Origin
The most expensive cars ever sold at public auction by country of origin are:
| Country | Car | Price (USD) | Auction House | Auction Date | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS Teardrop Coupe | 13,425,000 | Gooding | 2022 | Amelia Island |
| Germany | 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé | 143,000,000 | RM Sotheby’s | 2022 | Mercedes-Benz Museum |
| Italy | 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO | 51,705,000 | RM Sotheby’s | 2023 | New York |
| Japan | 1967 Toyota Shelby 2000 GT | 2,535,000 | Gooding | 2022 | Amelia Island |
| Sweden | 2015 Koenigsegg One:1 | 4,631,767 | Bonhams | 2019 | Bonmont Geneva |
| UK | 1996 McLaren F1 GTR | 34,655,000 | RM Sotheby’s | 2026 | Monterey |
| USA | 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe | 42,905,000 | Gooding Christie’s | 2026 | Pebble Beach |
More on the Most Expensive Cars Ever Sold
- The Most Expensive Cars of All Time – $10 Million Plus for a full listing of cars selling for more than $10 million at public auctions.
- Cars Sold for Over $20 Million – The Most-Expensive Cars Ever
- Cars Sold for $15 to $20 Million – Not all Italian but mostly California Spiders
- Cars Sold for $12 to $15 Million – including the French record holders
- Cars Sold for $10 to $12 Million – a mixed bunch of great marques
- Marque Records
- Most Expensive Formula 1 Grand Prix Racing Cars Ever
Top-Ten Lists for 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 & all-time.