The world of car auctions has witnessed some of the rarest and most sought-after models go under the hammer, often commanding staggering prices.
The latest supercars and hypercars may come with jaw-dropping price tags, but they still don’t compare to the astronomical sums fetched by the most expensive classic cars sold at auction. At the pinnacle of the classic car market, rare and historically significant models command staggering prices.
These sky-high valuations are driven by collectors whose wealth is measured in billions rather than millions. For many, classic cars are more than just vehicles—they are prized pieces of automotive art and valuable investments, often destined for private collections rather than the open road.
For years, Ferrari has been the gold standard when it comes to the most valuable auctioned cars. However, in recent times, the Prancing Horse’s dominance has been challenged.
As you’ll see below, the fiercest competition now comes from Mercedes. What remains undisputed is that Ferrari and Mercedes models, particularly those produced between the 1950s and 1970s, continue to be the most desirable among serious collectors, consistently commanding record-breaking prices.
While models from past decades currently dominate the market, this trend may shift in the coming years as younger collectors with different tastes enter the scene. That said, don’t expect to find a Ferrari 250 GTO bargain anytime soon.
With its stunning design, racing pedigree, and eligibility for the world’s most prestigious classic car events, the 250 GTO will likely remain one of the most coveted and expensive cars in the world, accessible only to the wealthiest buyers.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 most expensive cars ever sold at auction. While some classic cars may have changed hands for even higher sums in private sales, those figures remain undisclosed.
Auction results, however, provide a verified and transparent glimpse into the market, offering a clear indication of a particular make and model’s value—provided you have the funds to bid.
10 – 1956 Ferrari 290 MM – $28 million (2015)
A recurring theme in this list is the presence of Juan Manuel Fangio behind the wheel. This Ferrari 290 MM was one such car, featuring the five-time World Champion in the 1956 running of the Mille Miglia.
Fangio finished fourth in the event, with the car sporting a distinctive red-and-blue color scheme and the number 600.
The combination of its rarity, its legendary driver—who impressively navigated the Mille Miglia solo—and its history of ownership by a well-known collector made chassis 0626 an incredibly valuable piece. As a result, it fetched an astonishing price in 2015.
9 – 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 – $29.6 million (2013)
For more than a decade, this car held the record as the most expensive Formula 1 car ever sold at auction, only to be surpassed in 2025.
Auctioned at Goodwood in 2013, this was the first Mercedes W196 to ever become available for public sale. It achieved a remarkable price of £19.6 million ($29.6 million at the exchange rate at the time), setting a new benchmark for F1 cars sold under the hammer.
Chassis 00006/54 played a pivotal role in Juan Manuel Fangio’s illustrious career, propelling him to victories at the German and European Grands Prix, followed by another win in Switzerland that same year, contributing to his second World Championship title.
8 – 1967 Ferrari 412P – $30.2 million (2023)
The Ferrari 412P was a highly esteemed competition model, driven by notable figures such as Piers Courage, Jo Siffert, Richard Attwood, and Lucien Bianchi during its racing prime.
This particular chassis saw action at Le Mans, secured a podium finish at the 1000km of Spa, and claimed multiple race victories throughout 1968.
Its unique bodywork and original components, preserved through an extensive restoration, likely played a significant role in driving up its auction price to an impressive $30.2 million.
7 – 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti – $35.7 million (2016)
Formerly ranked among the top spots on this list, the Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti made history by setting a world record for the most expensive racing car ever sold when it went under the hammer at an Artcurial auction in Paris.
One of the fastest cars of its era, chassis 0674 was even rumored to have sparked a bidding war between football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, this speculation appeared to be debunked when Messi later posted an Instagram photo holding a toy version of the Cars character Lightning McQueen, accompanied by the humorous caption: “My new car.”
Regardless of the buyer, the winning bid did not grant access to public roads, as the 335S was exclusively homologated for racing. Among the notable drivers who competed in this car were Mike Hawthorn, Stirling Moss, Maurice Trintignant, and Peter Collins.
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6 – 1965 Ferrari 250 LM by Scaglietti – $36.2 million (2025)
This Ferrari became the second car on this list to be sold in February 2025 (the other sits at #2). The 1965 Le Mans-winning 250 LM was auctioned by RM Sotheby’s in Paris for an eye-watering €34,880,000—equivalent to approximately $36.2 million based on the exchange rate at the time.
This particular chassis boasts an impressive endurance racing pedigree. It competed at Le Mans under the North American Racing Team (NART) banner and was driven by future Formula 1 World Champion Jochen Rindt.
Rindt holds a unique place in F1 history, having been crowned champion posthumously following his tragic death at the 1970 Italian Grand Prix.
Alongside teammates Masten Gregory and Ed Hugus, Rindt claimed overall victory at Le Mans in 1965, making this the only privateer Ferrari to ever win the world-famous race outright.
Furthermore, this 250 LM holds another distinction—it is the only Ferrari built during the Enzo Ferrari era to have competed in six 24-hour races.
It participated in three editions of Le Mans and three Daytona events before being placed in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 1970, where it remained for 54 years before finally heading to auction.
5 – 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta – $38.1 million (2014)
The first of several Ferrari 250 GTOs on this list, chassis 3851GT, was enhanced with coachwork by Scaglietti and competed in the grueling 5,500km Tour de France Automobile in 1962.
This historic car remained with the same owner for an astonishing 49 years before being put up for auction in 2014. When it finally went under the hammer, the 250 GTO commanded an impressive price of $38,115,000.
4 – 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO by Scaglietti – $48.4 million (2018)
Chassis 3413GT, another legendary Ferrari 250 GTO, found its way to RM Sotheby’s auction in 2018.
Bearing the number 23, this was only the third 250 GTO ever produced. The car was later modified by the renowned coachbuilder Scaglietti and enjoyed significant racing success, competing in the Targa Florio and multiple seasons of the Italian GT Championship.
3 – 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO by Scaglietti – $51.7 million (2023)
This particular Ferrari 250 GTO holds a special place in motorsport history, as it was the only Tipo 1962 model to have been officially raced by Scuderia Ferrari in endurance competition.
Wearing the number 7, it secured a class victory and finished second overall at the Nürburgring 1000km. It was also driven by Lorenzo Bandini and Mike Parkes in the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans.
After achieving success in hill climbs, it was later owned by a chairman of the Ferrari Club of America. Its 2023 sale cemented its status as one of the most valuable cars ever auctioned.
2 – 1954 Mercedes W196R Streamliner – $53.9 million (2025)
The most expensive Formula 1 car ever sold, the Mercedes W196R Stromlinienwagen, or Streamliner, also claims the title of the second-most expensive car ever auctioned. It fetched an astonishing €53,155,000 in February 2025.
This was the first Streamliner-spec model ever made available for auction and only the second W196R to go on sale.
Chassis 00009/54 had an impressive racing history, securing victory for Juan Manuel Fangio at his home race in Buenos Aires. It was also driven by Stirling Moss at the 1955 Italian Grand Prix.
For nearly 60 years, the car was on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, having been gifted to the circuit by Mercedes. However, a one-time auction was arranged at Mercedes’ Stuttgart headquarters to find a new owner for this historic vehicle.
1 – 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé – $143 million (2022)
The most expensive car ever sold at auction is the legendary Mercedes 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé. This car was the road-legal version of the dominant 300 SLR race car, which won five out of six races during its time. It was piloted by legendary drivers such as Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss.
The only race the 300 SLR did not win was the tragic 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans, during which Mercedes withdrew its cars following the devastating crash that resulted in the deaths of Pierre Levegh and 83 spectators.
Only two Uhlenhaut Coupé models were ever built, named after their designer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut. One remains preserved in Mercedes’ corporate museum, while the other was sold to a private collector in 2022 for an unprecedented €135 million, equivalent to $143 million.
With a reported top speed of 180 mph—an astonishing feat for its time—the Uhlenhaut Coupé was a true engineering marvel, heavily influenced by the W196R Formula 1 car of the same era. Its record-breaking auction price cements its place as the most valuable car ever sold.
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