Most valuable cars ever sold at auction – from classic motors raced by Stirling Moss to outrageous £114million beast
THE classic car market remains buoyant, with the most valuable ever sold at auction including a £114 million beast.
The top dozen include motors raced by British F1 legend Stirling Moss, as well as another which caused the single worst racing disaster in history.
In the top spot is a 1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, which changed hands for £114.4 million at an RM Sotheby’s auction in May 2022.
The car was just one of two to ever be produced, with the proceeds going towards helping set up a new charity.
LE MANS DISASTER
It’s a two-seat sports racing car that took part in the 1955 World Sportscar Championship before the most catastrophic crash in motoring history at Le Mans later the same year.
Large pieces of debris flew into the crowd, killing 83 spectators and French driver Pierre Levegh, and injuring around 120 more.
The incident led to Switzerland instituting a nation-wide ban until 2022.
In the second, third and fourth spots 1962 Ferrari 250 GTOs, which saw just 36 manufactured between 1962 and 1964.
Its development was headed by chief engineer Giotto Bizzarrini to compete in Group 3 GT racing and its debut came at the 1962 12 Hours of Sebring, driven by American F1 champion Phil Hill.
When new, buyers were personally approved by Enzo Ferrari himself.
In fifth place is yet another Ferrari, the 1957 335S, first driven by Peter Collins and Maurice Trintignant in the 1957 Sebring 12 Hours.
It was then driven by Wolfgang von Trips in the Mille Miglia.
Next is the 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta.
It was originally sold to a British owner and went on to race at a number of events, including Le Mans and drivers included Richard Attwood and David Piper.
Previous owners include JCB owner Anthony Bamford.
In seventh is the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196, with only 10 of the model still in existence, including three in museums.
Next is the 1956 Ferrari 290 MM, driven by Argentine F1 legend Juan Manuel Fangio in the 1956 Mille Miglia.
In ninth is yet another Ferrari – the 1967 275 GTB/4 NART Spider, which had just one owner from new, trader Eddie Smith.
And finally is the 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale.
Special mention goes to the 1959 Aston Martin DBR1 which was raced by Roy Salvadori, Moss, Jack Brabham and Carroll Shelby, and falls just outside of the top 10.
Top 10 most expensive cars sold at auction
- 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe – sold by RM Sotheby’s for $145 million, May 2022
- 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO / 330LM – sold by RM Sotheby’s for $51,705,000, November 2023
- 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO – sold by RM Sotheby’s for $48,405,000, August 2018
- 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO – sold by Bonhams for $38,115,000, August 2014
- 1957 Ferrari 335S – sold by Artcurial for $35,711,359, February 2016
- 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta – sold by Bonhams for $30,255,000, August 2023
- 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 – sold by Bonhams for $29,600,000, July 2013
- 1956 Ferrari 290 MM – sold by RM Sotheby’s for $28,050,000, December 2015
- 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spider – sold by RM Sotheby’s for $27,500,000, August 2013
- 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale – sold by RM Sotheby’s for $26,400,000, August 2014