The Most Expensive Cars of All Time – $10 Million Plus at Public Auction

Only 71 cars have ever sold for more than $10 million at public auction with the world record for the most expensive car ever $143 million paid for a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé.

Most Expensive car ever sold at auction 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé © Mercedes-Benz

Only 71 cars have ever sold for more than $10 million (nominal) at public auction. Although the most expensive car ever is the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, Ferrari is the most expensive car marque with the 250 models especially highly-priced. More than half of the cars selling for more than $10 million are Ferraris (37) followed by Mercedes (6), Bugatti (5), Aston Martin and McLaren with four each, Alfa Romeo and Jaguar with three, while Duesenberg and Porsche each have two cars on the list. The other brands that have sold for seven figures plus are Ford, Shelby, and Talbot-Lago. In 2008, a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider was the first car to break the $10 million barrier but most of the $10 million results are more recent: 6 in 2014, 11 in 2015, and 9 in 2016 but only 6 in 2017, 5 in 2018 and only 2 in 2019, 2020, and 2021, 5 in 2022, and 9 in 2023, and 3 thus far in 2024. Only 17 cars have ever sold for more than $20 million with the record $143 million for a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé sold by RM Sotheby’s in 2022.

Top-Ten Lists for: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 & all time.

List of Cars Selling for $10 Million Plus

The most expensive Ferrari ever sold at public auction is a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO / 330 LM that achieved the highest price of $51,705,000 at a special RM Sotheby's sale in New York in November 2023.
1962 Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO — Jeremy Cliff ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The following cars sold at public auction for $10 million or more:

Top rank – $20 million Plus:

Year$20 million +Price $Auction HouseAuctionAuction Date
11955Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe143,000,000RM Sotheby’sStuttgart2022
21962Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO51,705,000RM Sotheby’sNew York2023
31962Ferrari 250 GTO48,405,000RM Sotheby’sMonterey2018
41962Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta38,115,000BonhamsQuail Lodge2014
51957Ferrari 335 Sport by Scaglietti35,711,359ArtcurialParis2016
61967Ferrari 412P Berlinetta by Fantuzzi30,255,000BonhamsQuail Lodge2023
71954Mercedes Benz W196R Formula 1 Racing Single-Seater29,650,095BonhamsChichester – Goodwood Festival of Speed2013
81956Ferrari 290 MM by Scaglietti28,005,000RM Sotheby’sNew York2015
91967Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S N.A.R.T. Spider by Scaglietti27,500,000RMMonterey2013
101964Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale by Scaglietti26,400,000RMMonterey2014
111956Aston Martin DBR122,550,000RM Sotheby’sMonterey2017
121956Ferrari 290 MM22,005,000RM Sotheby’sLos Angeles2018
131955Ferrari 410 Sport Spider22,005,000RM Sotheby’sMonterey2022
141935Duesenberg SSJ22,000,000GoodingPebble Beach2018
151955Jaguar D-Type21,780,000RM Sotheby’sMonterey2016
161963Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition Prototype21,455,000RM Sotheby’sMonterey2018
171995McLaren F120,465,000GoodingPebble Beach2021

Cars Sold for $15 to $20 Million:

Year$15 – $20 millionPrice $Auction HouseAuctionAuction Date
181994McLaren F1 ‘LM-Specification’19,805,000RM Sotheby’sMonterey2019
191939Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider by Touring19,800,000RM Sotheby’sMonterey2016
201939Alfa Romero 8C 2900 Touring Berlinetta19,246,750ArtcurialParis2019
212013Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 W0418,815,000RM Sotheby’sLas Vegas2023
221961Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider18,649,760ArtcurialParis2015
231954Ferrari 375-Plus Sports-racing Two-Seat Spider Competizione18,309,614BonhamsGoodwood Festival of Speed2014
241959Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione18,150,000GoodingPebble Beach2016
251962Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider18,045,000GoodingAmelia Island2023
261959Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione17,990,000RM Sotheby’sNew York2017
271963Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider17,875,000MecumKissimmee2024
281964Ferrari 250 LM by Scaglietti17,600,000RM Sotheby’sMonterey2015
291964Ferrari 250 LM17,164,664ArtcurialParis2023
301961Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider17,160,000GoodingAmelia Island2016
311961Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider16,830,000GoodingPebble Beach2015
321962Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Speciale16,500,000GoodingPebble Beach2015
331957Ferrari 250 TR16,390,000GoodingPebble Beach2011
341995McLaren F115,620,000BonhamsQuail Lodge2017
351961Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider15,180,000GoodingPebble Beach2014

Cars Sold for $12 to $15 Million:

Year$12 – $15 millionPrice $Auction HouseAuctionAuction Date
362003Ferrari F2003-GA F1 Racer14,880,000RM Sotheby’sGeneva2022
371966Ferrari 275 GTB/C14,520,000GoodingPebble Beach2017
381962Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato14,300,000RM_Sotheby’sNew York2015
391964Ferrari 250 LM by Carrozzeria Scaglietti14,300,000RMNew York2013
401970Porsche 917K14,080,000GoodingPebble Beach2017
411998McLaren F1 “LM-Specification”13,750,000RM Sotheby’sMonterey2015
421962Shelby 260 Cobra CSX 200013,750,000RM Sotheby’sMonterey2016
431960Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione13,500,000GoodingPebble Beach2016
441937Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS Teardrop Coupe13,425,000GoodingAmelia Island2022
451961Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato ‘2VEV’13,315,899BonhamsLondon2018
461957Jaguar XKSS13,205,000RM Sotheby’sMonterey2023
471956Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione “Tour de France” by Scaglietti13,200,000RM Sotheby’sMonterey2015
481953Jaguar C-Type Works Lightweight13,200,000RM Sotheby’sMonterey2015
491972Ferrari 312 PB13,033,720RM Sotheby’sVilla Erba2023
501953Ferrari 340/375 MM Berlinetta ‘Competizione’ by Pinin Farina12,812,800RMVilla Erba2013
511934Bugatti Type 59 Sports12,681,550GoodingLondon2020
521957Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa12,402,500RMMaranello2009
5319031903 Mercedes-Simplex 60 HP ‘Roi des Belges’12,100,000GoodingAmelia Island2024

Cars Sold for $10 to $12 Million:

Year$10 – $12 millionPrice $Auction HouseAuctionAuction Date
541933Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza11,990,000GoodingPebble Beach2016
551936Mercedes Benz 540K Spezial Roadster11,770,000GoodingPebble Beach2012
561964Ferrari 250 LM by Scaglietti11,550,000RMMonterey2014
571960Ferrari 250 GT SWB11,440,968H&HDuxford2015
581960Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider11,275,000GoodingPebble Beach2012
591968Ford GT40 Lightweight11,000,000RMMonterey2012
601960Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione10,989,500RM Sotheby’sParis2024
611961Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider10,894,900RMMaranello2008
621959Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione10,840,000GoodingPebble Beach2021
632022Bugatti Chiron Profilée10,677,742RM Sotheby’sParis2023
641937Bugatti Type 57S Atalante10,447,150GoodingLondon2020
651932Bugatti Type 55 Roadster10,400,000GoodingPebble Beach2016
661937Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante10,345,000GoodingPebble Beach2022
671931Duesenberg Model J Long-Wheelbase Coupe10,340,000GoodingPebble Beach2011
682002Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster10,235,000RM Sotheby’sLas Vegas2023
691967Ferrari 275 GTB/4 by Scaglietti10,175,000RMMonterey2014
701982Porsche 95610,120,000GoodingPebble Beach2015
712017Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta10,043,000RM Sotheby’sMaranello2017

Note: Definitions vary – only results from traditional public auctions are included. Some cars may appear more than once if sold multiple times. No claims for accuracy. Only nominal figures are considered. Wikipedia has a list with adjusted prices.

Ten-Million-Plus Dollar Cars at Public Auction

1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder © Courtesy of RM Auctions
 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder © Courtesy of RM Auctions

The first car to have sold for more than $10 million at public auction was a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider sold by RM Auctions in Maranello in 2008 for $10.9 million – a dollar price helped by a relatively strong euro at the time of the sale. This car took the record of the most expensive car in the world away from a 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe that Christie’s sold for $9.8 million in 1987. The Bugatti held the record as the most expensive car for more than two decades.

1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa © Courtesy of RM Auctions
1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa © Courtesy of RM Auctions
Red 1957 Ferrari 250 TR
1957 Ferrari 250 TR @ Gooding & Co

A year later, RM again increased the price barrier by selling a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa for $12.4 million.

Only in 2011 was the $10 million limit again broken when Gooding sold a 1931 Duesenberg Model J Roadster for $10.3 million and showed that a works Scuderia Ferrari 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa is worth more than a privateer car – the new record price was set at $16.4 million.

In 2012, three cars sold for more than $10 million – again a Ferrari but also a Ford and a Mercedes-Benz.

1954 Mercedes Benz W196 Formula 1 Racing Car
1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 Formula 1 Racer © Bonhams

In 2013, four cars sold for more than $10 million. A 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Formula 1 racing car almost doubled the record price when Bonhams achieved $29,650,095 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed sale in the UK — still the most expensive Formula 1 race car ever. RM Auctions sold a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S N.A.R.T. Spider by Scaglietti for $27.5 million at Monterey – still the most expensive regular road-going car ever.

In 2014, six cars sold for more than $10 million. Bonhams again increased the record price when it achieved $38,115,000 for a 1962/3 Ferrari 250 GTO at Quail Lodge – it kept the world record price until 2018. RM Auctions achieved $26.4 million for a 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale by Scaglietti – only the fourth car to sell for more than $20 million.

In 2015, eleven cars sold for more than $10 million. A 1956 Ferrari 290 MM sold for $28 million at the RM Sotheby’s Driven by Disruption sale in New York, as only the fifth car ever to sell for more than $20 million. Aston Martin, Jaguar, McLaren, and Porsche joined the list of marques having sold for more than $10 million at public auction.

1957 Ferrari 315 / 335 S Scaglietti Spyder
 © Artcurial / Christian Martin

In 2016, a 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport sold for $35,711,359 at the Artcurial Paris Rétromobile auction as only the second car ever to have sold for over $30 million. In euro terms, it was at the time of sale the most expensive car ever – it cost €32 million versus the €28.5 million the GTO cost at the time of sale in 2014.

Several new marques and records were added in 2016: Jaguar (the most expensive British car at the time), two Alfa Romeos, a Bugatti, and a Shelby.

1956 Aston Martin DBR1/1
 1956 Aston Martin DBR1/1 – Scott Fluid Images © 2017 Courtesy RM Sotheby’s

In 2017, only six cars were added to the list – none are from new brands in the $10 million-plus group but new marque records were set for Porsche, McLaren, and Aston Martin with the 1956 Aston Martin DBR1 setting a new British car record at $22,550,00 at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale. A 2017 Ferrari LaFerrari sold as a charity lot in the RM Sotheby’s Maranello Ferrari sale as the first 21st-century car to achieve over $10 million and the most expensive new car sold for charity at public auction.

1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, chassis 3413 GT
 Patrick Ernzen © 2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

In 2018, five cars sold for over $10 million including four results over $20 million. A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO sold for $48,405,000 at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2018 sale to increase the highest price ever paid for a car at auction by $10 million. A 1935 Duesenberg SSJ sold for $22 million at Gooding Pebble Beach as the most expensive American car ever and the most expensive pre-war car ever. Two Aston Martins joined the list to become the second most common brand after Ferrari on the list of the most expensive cars in the world.

In 2019, a 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 Touring Berlinetta sold for $19,246,750 as the top result at the Artcurial Paris Rétromobile sale while a 1994 McLaren F1 ‘LM-Specification’ became the 50th $10-million car when it sold for $19,805,000 at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2019 sale.

Most-expensive Bugatti Ever 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports sold at Gooding London Passion of a Lifetime Auction 2020
1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports © Gooding

In 2020, the two most-expensive Bugattis ever were sold at the Gooding London Passion of a Lifetime sale – a 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports set the new marque record at $12,681,550 while a 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante sold for $10,447,150.

In 2021, two cars sold at the Gooding Pebble Beach sale for over $10 million: a 1995 McLaren sold for $20,465,000 and a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione for $10,840,000.

In 2022, five cars achieved $10 million: a 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS Teardrop Coupe that sold for $13,435,000 at Gooding Amelia Island, as the most expensive French car ever, and the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé that sold for a new world record $143 million as the most expensive car ever (a $95 million increase over the previous record holder) and also the most valuable German car and Mercedes-Benz marque record. A 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider sold for $22,005,000 and a 1937 Bugatti Type 57 SC Atalante for $10,425,000 as the two most expensive cars during Monterey Week. The 2003 Ferrari F2003-GA in which Michael Schumacher secured his sixth championship more than doubled the record price for a modern Formula 1 racing car when it sold for $14.9 million at Sotheb’s in Geneva.

In 2023, nine cars sold for $10 million: the unique 2022 Bugatti Chiron Profilée, which is also the most expensive new car ever sold in a public auction, a 1967 Ferrari 412P, a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider (the new Amelia Island record holder), a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM, a 1971 Ferrari 312 PB, a 1957 Jaguar XKSS, and a 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster. A 1962 Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO sold for $51.7 million as the set the new Ferrari marque record. A Hamilton-driven 2013 Mercedes-AMG Petronas sold for $18,815,000, as the most expensive modern Formula 1 racing car.

Thus far in 2024, three cars have sold for over $10 million at auction a 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione, and a 1903 Mercedes-Simplex 60 HP ‘Roi des Belges’ — the oldest car on the list, the only one from before 1930, and the only one over a century old.

Over $10 Million Classic Cars

Ferraris are the most expensive cars in the world with nearly two-thirds of the cars that have sold for more than $10 million at public auction coming from Maranello. Bugatti, Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, Porsche, McLaren, Aston Martin, and Alfa Romeo are the only other brands with more than one car having sold for more than $10 million.

1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider at Auction
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider © Artcurial

Early 2024, the car brands selling for more than $10 million were:

  • 39 – Ferrari
  • 6 – Mercedes Benz
  • 5 – Bugatti
  • 4 – Aston Martin
  • 4 – McLaren
  • 3 – Alfa Romeo
  • 3 – Jaguar
  • 2 – Duesenberg
  • 2 – Porsche
  • 1 – Ford
  • 1 – Shelby
  • 1 — Talbot-Lago

250 is the magic model number – 25 of the most expensive cars ever were Ferrari 250 models in various model variants.

Almost all cars achieving more than $10 million at public auction were built during the 1950s and 1960s. The period 1953 to 1964 is especially highly (ap)praised.

Black 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster
 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster © Gooding & Co

Only twelve $10-million cars date from the pre-war period: the 1935 Duesenberg SSJ is the most expensive pre-Second World War car ever, while the 1903 Mercedes-Simplex 60 HP ‘Roi des Belges’ is the oldest car on this list and the only over a century old. The 1936 Mercedes Benz 540 K Spezial Roadster is still the most expensive German passenger car ever.

Only twelve $10-million cars are newer than the 1960s: a Le Mans-winning 1982 Porsche 956, the 1970 Porsche 917K, four McLaren F1 sports cars, the 2003 Ferrari F1 racer, the 1972 Ferrari 312 PB racer, the charity-lot 2017 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta, the 2022 Bugatti Chiron Profilée, a 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster, and a Hamilton-winning 2012 Meredes-AMG Petronas F1.

Top Classic and Collectors Car Auction Houses

1956 Ferrari 290 MM at Auction
 1956 Ferrari 290 MM at Auction © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Most million-dollar cars are sold by RM Sotheby’s, Gooding, and Bonhams and these three also dominate the $10-million-plus market.

The battle of the auction houses for selling $10-million-plus cars shapes out as follows (March 2024):

1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, sold for $16,830,000
 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider © Gooding

The Monterey classic car week in mid-August in California generally is the best time for high auction prices. Two-thirds of the $10-million-plus results were achieved at these auctions including Monterey (RM Sotheby’s), Pebble Beach (Gooding), and Quail Lodge (Bonhams). Only a quarter of the $10-million-plus cars were sold at auctions outside the USA.

This listing takes only nominal prices into account. If adjusted prices are used, probably only four further cars would be added to the list of cars selling for more than $10 million:

  • 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe that Christie’s sold for $9.8 million in 1987 would be around $25 million in today’s money. If it comes up for auction now, it would probably fetch a lot more than “just” $25 million.
  • 1931 Bugatti Royale Berline de Voyage that Kruse sold for $6.5 million in 1986 would be around $17.3 million in current money.
  • 1962 Ferrari 330 TRI/LM Spider that RM Auctions sold for $9.3 million in 2007 would be around $13 million adjusted.
  • 1937 Mercedes Benz 540K Spezial Roadster that RM Auctions sold for $9.7 million in 2011 would be $12.6 million today.

The listing also excludes non-traditional auctions, e.g. a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione Clienti sold for a reported $12 million a the Rick Cole online auction during Monterey week 2014.

For More Detailed Descriptions of These Cars See

Most Expensive Cars of the Year