20 Most Expensive Cars Ever Sold at Auction

Earlier this year, the automobile auction market, like virtually all other collectible markets, reached new highs. In May, the Uhlenhaut Coupe, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, sold for $142 million. The mind-boggling sum didn’t just beat the previous mark—it demolished it by nearly $100 million and become Most Expensive Car Ever Sold at Auction.

For years, the auto auction market has been booming. In fact, there are entries in the top 20 dating back nearly a decade to 2013, which cannot be said for, say, sports cards. Whatever the economic climate, it appears that if a serious collector sees their dream car hit the market, they will spend whatever it takes to make it theirs.

More Info – robbreport.com

#20. 1954 Ferrari 375 Plus Spyder — $18,309,613 (Bonhams, 2014)

#19. 1961 Ferrari 250 California SWB Spyder — $18,405,440 (Artcurial, 2015)

#18. 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta — $18,563,605 (Artcurial, 2019)

#17. 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 Lungo Spider — $19,800,000 (RM Sotheby’s, 2016)

#16. 1994 McLaren F1 — $19,805,000 (RM Sotheby’s, 2019)

#15. 1995 McLaren F1 — $20,465,000 (Gooding & Company, 2021)

#14. 1963 Aston Martin DP215 Competition — $21,455,000 (RM Sotheby’s, 2018)

#13. 1955 Jaguar D-Type — $21,780,000 (RM Sotheby’s, 2016)

#12. 1935 Duesenberg Model SSJ Convertible — $22,000,000 (Gooding & Company, 2018)

#11. 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider — $22,005,000 (RM Sotheby’s, 2022)

#10. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM — $22,005,000 (RM Sotheby’s, 2018)

#9. 1956 Aston Martin DBR1 Roadster — $22,550,000 (RM Sotheby’s, 2017)

#8. 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C — $26,400,000 (RM Sotheby’s, 2014)

#7. 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spider — $27,500,000 (RM Sotheby’s, 2013)

#6. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM — $28,050,000 (RM Sotheby’s, 2015)

#5. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 — $29,600,000 (Bonhams, 2013)

#4. 1957 Ferrari 335 S — $35,750,000 (Artcurial, 2016)

#3. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO — $38,115,000 (Bonhams, 2014)

#2. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO — $48,405,000 (RM Sotheby’s, 2018)

#1. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupe” — $142,000,000 (2022)

Records are meant to be broken, and four years after the Ferrari 250 GTO sold for $48.41 million for the second time, the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupe” sold for $142 million. That’s right, it surpassed the previous record by $93.59 million, with the entire amount going to the newly established Mercedes-Benz Fund, a global scholarship program aimed at assisting young people working to make the world a more sustainable place. The silver prototype racer is not only the most expensive auction car, but also the most expensive vehicle period.

While that sum is still shocking to consider, those who are familiar with the car—one of two designed to compete in the 1955 Carrera Panamericana before it was canceled—know the silver speed machine is more than deserving of its place on this list. We also believe it will hold the record for a longer period of time than the previous holder.