PEBBLE BEACH AUTOMOTIVE Week takes place in California this month and one of the highlights of this spectacle is the car auctions, as they set the bar for the collector car market worldwide. In fact, it was during Pebble Beach Automotive Week back in 2014 that the world record was set for most expensive car sold at auction.
This year will again see people bid unbelievable amounts for precious motors – there is a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione going under the hammer with an estimate price of between $18 million and $20 million (€16.25 million – €18 million).
So, with this in mind, let’s look back at the most expensive cars ever sold at auction.
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO – $38,115,000 (€34.4 million)
Auctioneer: Bonhams, California
Date sold: 14 August 2014
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta became the most valuable car in history to be sold at auction when it realised $38,115,000 back in 2014. The GTO is one of the rarest and most coveted cars in the world. Ferrari made only 39 of the cars and designed them specifically for racing and this particular 1962-63 example is one of the best maintained and most raced of them all.
It is its rarity, race history and beauty that make it the most valuable Ferrari and also the most valuable car ever sold at auction.
1957 Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti – $35,711,359 (€32.2 million)
Auctioneer: Artcurial, Paris
Date sold: 5 February 2016
During the 2016 Rétromobile classic car show in Paris this 1957 Ferrari 335 S Spider Scaglietti sold for $35,711,359.
The car has an extensive racing history; it was first driven by Peter Collins and Maurice Trintignant in the 1957 Sebring 12 Hours and it also won the 1958 Cuban Grand Prix with none other than racing legend Sir Stirling Moss at the wheel.
1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 – $29,600,000 (€26.7 million)
Auctioneer: Bonhams, Goodwood Festival of Speed
Date sold: 12 July 2013
This car was driven and raced by five-time Formula One World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio and it won a number of Grand Prixs. It was sold in ‘authentic’ condition with visible blemishes and covered in grime. Nice!
1956 Ferrari 290 MM – $28,050,000 (€25.3 million)
Auctioneer: RM Sotheby’s, New York
Date sold: 10 December 2015
This car set records for the most expensive car sold in 2015, the most expensive car sold in New York City, and the most expensive car sold by RM Sotheby’s. It was built for Juan Manuel Fangio to compete in the 1956 Mille Miglia and it is one of only four of its kind in existence.
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4S NART Spider – $27,500,000 (€24.8 million)
Auctioneer: RM Sotheby’s, Monterey
Date sold: 17 August 2013
This car made a guest appearance in the Steve McQueen film The Thomas Crown Affair and it was one of only ten cars of its kind when it was sold in 2013.
1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale – $26,400,000 (€22.2 million)
Auctioneer: RM Sotheby’s, Monterey
Date sold: 16 August 2014
This is a very rare car indeed as Ferrari built just three of these, each with lightweight aluminium bodywork and a 316bhp 3.2-litre V12 engine.
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider – $16,700,000
Auctioneer: Artcurial, Paris
Date sold: 6 February 2015
This car was found in a barn and was once owned by French actor Alain Delon, who gave both Jane Fonda and Shirley MacLaine a lift in it.
1954 Ferrari 375-Plus Spider Competizione – $18,400,177 (€16.6 million)
Auctioneer: Bonhams, Goodwood Festival of Speed
Date sold: 27 June 2014
There are only five examples of this 4.9-litre, V12 race car. It placed second at the 1954 Mille Miglia with Umberto Maglioli behind the wheel.
1964 Ferrari 250 LM – $17,600,000 (€15.8 million)
Auctioneer: RM Sotheby’s, New York
Date sold: 13 August 2015
This car is said to be one of the best examples of Ferrari’s first mid-engined car in existence. It was commissioned by the Fry family – who own the chocolate company – and was the 23rd of a 32-car production run.
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider – $16,830,000 (€15.2 million)
Auctioneer: Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach
Date sold: 17 August 2015
This drop-top Spider is desirable due to its covered headlights and it is one of only 37 of its kind with coachwork by Scaglietti.
1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Speciale – $16,500,000 (€14.9 million)
Auctioneer: Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach
Date sold: 17 August 2015
This is car was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and inspired by Ferrari’s legendary Sharknose Racing Cars. This was the personal car of legendary car designer and constructor Nuccio Bertone.
1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa – $16,390,000 (€14.8 million)
Auctioneer: Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach
Date sold: 21 August 2011
This is the original 250 TR Prototype, the first 250 Testa Rossa ever built. It was a Scuderia Ferrari team car which raced at Le Mans and has been restored and outfitted in 1958 Le Mans NART (North American Racing Team) livery.
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider – $15,180,000 (€13.7 million)
Auctioneer: Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach
Date sold: 16 August 2014
Ferrari made just 56 examples of the 250 GT SWB California Spider and this particular car was one of an even smaller number with a removable hard-top.
1964 Ferrari 250 LM – $14,300,000 (€12.9 million)
Auctioneer: RM Sotheby’s, New York
Date sold: 21 November 2013
An almost perfect example of the first first mid-engined Ferrari designed by Carrozzeria Scaglietti. The 250 LM was also the last Ferrari to win Le Mans, taking the chequered flag in the 1965 race.
If you had a funds, which one would you bid on?
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