May 2022: The most expensive cars sold at public auction thus far in 2022 are a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, a 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS Teardrop Coupe, and a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Alloy.
The list of the ten most expensive cars sold at public auction in 2022 is led by a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé — the most valuable car in the world. It is followed by a 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS Teardrop Coupe — the most expensive French car ever. The third priciest car thus far in 2022 is a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Alloy that sold for a model record at the RM Sotheby’s Arizona auction. A classic 1968 Porsche 907 Works racing car is the most-expensive Porsche thus far sold in 2022. Modern Ferrari supercars also have a strong presence in the list of most-expensive cars sold at public auction thus far in 2022.
Top-Ten Lists for: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 & all time.
List of the Top Ten Most Expensive Cars Sold at Auction in 2022
The 10 highest results achieved for cars sold at public auction thus far in 2022 were:
| Year | Car | Price ($) | Auction House | Auction | |
| 1 | 1955 | 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé | 143,000,000 | RM Sotheby’s | Mercedes-Benz Museum |
| 2 | 1937 | Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS Teardrop Coupe | 13,425,000 | Gooding | Amelia Island |
| 3 | 1955 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Alloy | 6,825,000 | RM Sotheby’s | Arizona |
| 4 | 1968 | Porsche 907 Works | 4,860,000 | Artcurial | Paris |
| 5 | 1996 | Ferrari F50 | 4,606,000 | Artcurial | Paris |
| 6 | 1991 | Williams FW14 F1 | 4,222,060 | RM Sotheby’s | Monaco |
| 7 | 1955 | Porsche 550 Spyder | 4,185,000 | Bonhams | Amelia Island |
| 8 | 1934 | Packard Twelve Individual Custom Convertible Victoria by Dietrich | 4,130,000 | RM Sotheby’s | Amelia Island |
| 9 | 1985 | Ferrari 288 GTO | 3,907,200 | RM Sotheby’s | Paris |
| 10 | 1996 | Ferrari F50 | 3,875,500 | RM Sotheby’s | Paris |
Note: Include the auction premium. May include post-hammer deals and charity lots.
Most Expensive Cars of 2022 Sold at Public Auction
The most expensive cars sold at public auction thus far in 2022 were:
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé
A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé became the most valuable car in the world when it sold for a world record €135 million ($143 million) at a special auction arranged by RM Sotheby’s for the Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. It increased the record for the most expensive car ever by over $90 million with the opening bid of €50 million more than the highest price ever paid for a car at auction.
The record 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé was one of two prototypes developed for the works racing program that was canceled. It was used as a company car by Rudolf Uhlenhaut, chief engineer of the racing department. Both 300 SLRs were part of the Mercedes-Benz Museum collection and its sale to a private owner came rather unexpected.
1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS Teardrop Coupe
A magnificent 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS Teardrop Coupe sold for $13,425,000 as the most expensive car in the Gooding Amelia Island 2022 sale and the highest result of any car sold at the Amelia Island 2022 classic car auction. It set the new Talbot-Lago marque record and is also the most expensive French car ever sold (in nominal terms). This Talbot-Lago is the only French marque other than Bugatti to have achieved results in excess of $10 million at auction.
Figoni et Falaschi produced only a limited number of Goutte d’Eau bodies of which this car is the only example of two built with fully enveloping, skirted front fenders to have maintained its original bodywork.
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing
The top result at the RM Sotheby’s Arizona sale and the most expensive car sold during the Scottsdale 2022 auction week was $6,825,000 paid for the extremely rare 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing. The result set a new model record for the 300 SL Gullwing and, at the time of sale, was also the most expensive post-war Mercedes-Benz car ever sold at public auction.
Mercedes-Benz produced around 1,400 Gullwings but the record car was the 13th of only 29 Gullwings made with lightweight alloy bodywork. It was originally delivered to Morocco but spent most of its life in the USA, where it was owned by Hyatt Creek — a prominent member and at times president of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America. The 300 SL retained its original lightweight body and matching 3.0-liter NSL engine.
1968 Porsche 907 Works
The top result at the Artcurial Paris Rétromobile 2022 sale was $4,860,000 (€4,390,400) paid for a 1968 Porsche 907, chassis 907-031. This penultimate 907 was raced by Porsche as a works entry to 4th place overall at the Nürnburgring 1000 km a month after production.
As a private entry, it raced three times at Le Mans with a first in class and seventh overall in 1971 when driven by Mattli and Brun. It had several further first in class finishes and even overall victories in lesser races — the 907 was actively raced and competitive until mid-1973. As a restored car, it has also raced in historic races including a Le Mans Classic
1996 Ferrari F50
The 1996 Ferrari F50 with only 1,318 km on the clock sold for a new model world-record $4,606,000, as the second most expensive car at the Artcurial Paris Rétromobile 2022 classic car auction. It significantly raised the F50 auction model record from the $3,965,000 paid at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2021.
The F50 was sold with several further Ferraris by a defense lawyer in Monaco with the low mileage possibly adding a new car VAT bill to the buyer. Pre-digital supercars including the F50, F40, and Porsche Carrera GT saw sharp increases in auction values in the last couple of months.
1991 Williams F14 F1 Racing Car
The top result in the RM Sotheby’s Monaco 2022 classic car sale was a marque-record $4,222,060 paid for the 1991 Williams F14 Formula 1 Single-Seater Racing Car, chassis no 5. Nigel Mansell won five Formula 1 Grand Prix races and finished second twice chassis no 5, in the year prior to winning the world championship. However, even more memorable was when Mansell famously gave Ayrton Senna a ride on the side pot of this car during his victory lap at the British Grand Prix — a historic moment that probably contributed significantly to the protracted bidding war for buying this car.
1955 Porsche 550 Spyder
A 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder with coachwork by Wendler sold for $4,185,000 as the top result in the Bonhams Amelia Island 2022 classic car auction. This 550 was extensively raced in period in Germany before being imported to the USA by a returning serviceman. It raced in SSCA and other races in North America until the mid-1960s. It was owned for 50 years by the notable collector Gary Quast.
1934 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Convertible Victoria
A 1934 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Convertible Victoria by Dietrich sold for $4,130,000 as the top result at the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2022 classic car auction making it one of the most expensive Packards ever sold. This First in Class and runner-up to Best of Show at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is one of only three known survivors.
1985 Ferrari 288 GTO
The most expensive car sold in the RM Sotheby’s Paris 2022 auction was a 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO (estimate €2,400,000 – €2,600,000) that achieved €3,464,375 ($3,907,200) — one of the highest prices ever paid for the model. RM Sotheby’s sold a 288 GTO at Maranello in 2017 for €3,263,000, which at the time converted to a higher $3,948,230.
The 288 GTO was one of only 272 produced. It was originally owned by German racing driver Bepp Mayer, who specified a considerable number of options, including air conditioning, power windows, and radio, to complement the classic Rosso Corsa paintwork and Nero leather interior. The only other owner was Mr Petitjean. The 288 GTO has done only 9,559 km from new.
1996 Ferrari F50
The 1996 Ferrari F50 sold for €3,436,250 ($3,875,500) as the second-most-expensive car sold at RM Sotheby’s Paris 2022. This was one of the highest results ever for an F50 — RM Sotheby’s sold one for $3,965,000 at Monterey 2021. It was the 140th of 349 F50s built and had a relatively low 12,722 km on the clock but otherwise no special features or history.
Most-Expensive Car Sold for Charity in 2022
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 DIN001
The top result in the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2022 sale was $3,600,000 paid for the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 DIN001 that was sold for charity.
The first retail production 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 was auctioned to benefit Operation Homefront, the US national nonprofit celebrating 20 years of building strong, stable, and secure military families.
Million-Dollar-Plus Cars Sold at Public Auctions in 2022
Thus far in 2022, at least* 122 cars were sold at public auctions for over a million dollars. (*Definitions vary, results include auction premium, charity lots, and post-hammer deals announced in first published results.)
- January 39 — 13 at Kissimmee (13 – Mecum), 26 at Scottsdale / Arizona (12 at RM Sotheby’s, 12 at Barrett-Jackson, 2 at Worldwide).
- February 12 — 12 at Paris (9 at RM Sotheby’s, 3 at Bonhams)
- March 48: 34 at Amelia Island (2 at Bonhams, 20 Gooding, 12 RM Sotheby’s), 6 at Paris (6 at Artcurial), 4 at Glendale (4 at Mecum), 1 at Fort Lauderdale (1 at RM Sotheby’s), 3 at Palm Beach (3 Barrett-Jackson)
- May 23: 14 at Monaco (5 at Bonhams, 9 at RM Sotheby’s), 1 at Stuttgart (RM Sotheby’s), 8 at Indianapolis (8 at Mecum Indy)
In the battle of the auction houses:
- 44 – RM Sotheby’s
- 20 – Gooding & Co
- 25 – Mecum
- 10 – Bonhams
- 6 – Artcurial
- 15 – Barrett-Jackson
- 2 – Worldwide Auctioneers
The list takes the published results of the following auctions into consideration:
- January: Kissimmee (Mecum), Scottsdale / Arizona (Barrett-Jackson, Bonhams, Gooding Online, RM Sotheby’s, Worldwide)
- February: Paris (RM Sotheby’s, Bonhams)
- March: Amelia Island (Bonhams, Gooding, RM Sotheby’s), Paris (Artcurial), Glendale (Mecum), Fort Lauderdale (RM Sotheby’s), Fangio’s 300 SL Roadster (RM Sotheby’s sealed-bid), Auburn (Worldwide),
- April: Houston (Mecum), Goodwood Members (Bonhams), Palm Beach (Barrett-Jackson)
- May: Monaco (Bonhams, RM Sotheby’s), Stuttgart (RM Sotheby’s), Indianapolis (Mecum Indy)
The next major classic car auctions include:
- June: Tulsa (Mecum), Goodwood Festival of Speed (Bonhams), Las Vegas (Barrett-Jackson)
- July: Gstaad (Bonhams), Orlando (Mecum), Harrisburg (Mecum), La Mans Classic (Artcurial)
- August: Monterey Car Week (RM Sotheby’s Monterey, Gooding Pebble Beach, Mecum Monterey, Bonhams Quail Lodge)
- September: Dallas (Mecum), London (Gooding), Beaulieu (Bonhams), Goodwood Revival (Bonhams), Audrain (Bonhams)
- October: Zoute (Bonhams), Chicago (Mecum), Houston (Barrett-Jackson)
- November: Las Vegas (Mecum), London-Brighton (Bonhams, RM Sotheby’s), Munich (RM Sotheby’s)
- December: Kansas (Mecum)