highest-priced automobiles auctioned off
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In the world of classic cars, some vehicles stand out as more than just a means of transportation - they are rolling pieces of history. This is evident in the list of the most valuable classic cars ever sold, many of which have broken records and set new benchmarks in the automotive auction market.
Following the latest updates through the Google news channel of TopGear, we take a look at some of the most prized classic cars that have graced the auction block.
The most valuable car ever sold at auction is the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM by Scaglietti, chassis #5893, which fetched €34,880,000 ($36,344,960) at RM Sotheby's Paris Rétromobile 2025. Other highly valuable classic cars sold at auction include:
- The 1957 Ferrari 335S Spider Scaglietti, which sold for approximately $35.7 million at a 2016 Art Curial Paris sale.
- The 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II, chassis P/1032, which sold for $13,205,000 at RM Sotheby’s Moda Miami 2025, making it the most expensive Ford ever sold at auction.
- The 2001 Ferrari F2001 Formula 1 racer, which sold for €15,980,000 ($18,392,980), making it the most expensive Ferrari F1 car ever auctioned.
- Another historic record-setting sale was the $48.4 million Ferrari 250 GTO, sold prior to 2025.
- The $22 million Aston Martin DBR1, a highly valuable classic racing car, also made headlines.
Interestingly, Ferrari models dominate the top auction prices for classic cars, followed by iconic models like the Ford GT40 and Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR variants. However, when including private sales, the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe holds the absolute record as the most valuable car ever sold, fetching over $142 million in a private sale.
The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, named after its chief engineer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, is as elusive as it is breathtaking. Only two prototypes of this vehicle were ever created. Meanwhile, two 1962 Ferrari 250 GTOs are among the most valuable Ferraris ever sold.
In the realm of Formula 1, the Mercedes-Benz W196, piloted by the legendary Argentine racer Juan Manuel Fangio, set a record as the most valuable Formula 1 car ever sold in February.
Recently, another 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO sold for $51.7 million in 2023, while the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe continues to be a rare and valuable treasure in the world of classic cars.
[1] RM Sotheby's Paris Rétromobile 2025 auction results: https://www.rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/rpm25/paris [2] 2016 Art Curial Paris auction results: https://www.artcurial.com/en/auctions/2016-06-19/1957-ferrari-335s-spider-scaglietti [3] Top Gear news articles on the record-breaking sales: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/classic-cars/most-expensive-car-ever-sold-record-breaking-classic-car-auctions [5] Private sale of the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe: https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/mercedes-benz-300slr-uhlenhaut-coupe-sold-for-142-million-in-private-sale
- The '1964 Ferrari 250 LM by Scaglietti', sold for a record-breaking €34,880,000 ($36,344,960) at RM Sotheby's Paris Rétromobile 2025 auction, showcases the intertwining of the automotive and finance industries, as it set a new benchmark in the auction market.
- The '2001 Ferrari F2001 Formula 1 racer' and the 'Ferrari 250 GTO', both of which have achieved significant sales in million-dollar ranges, demonstrate the high-value of cars in the classic transportation industry and the impact they can have on the lifestyle of collectors.
- Among the most expensive private sales, the '1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe' stands out, fetching over $142 million, serving as a testament to the prestige and rarity cars hold within the classic automotive market and the finance industry.
