Most expensive classic car in the world and other
million dollar classics
A certain age, good condition, a racing history, rarity value, a pinch of Ferrari and one or more famous previous owners: These are the ingredients from which the most expensive cars in the world are made, and most of them are too have vintage status. But which classic can call itself the most expensive classic car in the world in 2021? We'll tell you and also list some of his companions, i.e. other very expensive classic vehicles, here for you.
Author: Stefan Reischuck
Position: Sales
Updated: 01/17/2022
Expensive classic cars: Not everyone can afford these classics!
If you search for the most expensive classic car, you will find a wide variety of entries. We have therefore created our own categories here and present here...
- the most expensive car of all time,
- the most expensive trio auctioned together,
- the most expensive statistically recorded classic car.
- a celebrity classic car
The following video also shows the complete auction of the scarlet racing car, officially the most expensive classic car in the world!
When it comes to the most expensive trio that has been auctioned to date, one cannot avoid mentioning the three Bertone studies. The series B.A.T. 5, 7 and 9, which were designed on the basis of the Alfa Romeo 1900, can also join the list of the most expensive classic cars.
After a dealer acquired them for an undisclosed price in the late 1980s, they went under the hammer together in New York at RM Sotheby's for the first time in 2020. The auction, which Bertone attended in person, raised $14.8 million.
That a celebrity owner bought a car can quickly turn into an expensive vintage car, we have already anticipated. The Porsche 911S from Steve McQueen's first owner sold for almost 1.4 million dollars, about ten times the normal market price.
A Type 59 Sports Bugatti owned by the Belgian royal family brought it to the equivalent of 10.68 million euros, making it the most expensive single classic car which was sold during an auction in 2020.
And last but not least, there is an exceptional object that is one of the most expensive classic cars in the world. The Duesenberg SSJ, the Supersport edition of the J model from 1935, breaks several records at the same time:
- most expensive pre-war car,
- most expensive American car Brand
- and a rarity value that is impressive. The convertible was only built twice!
So the price of smooth $22 million is almost justified.
The most expensive classic car and its 19 companions
Other research on various platforms, such as dealer sites for luxury cars and relevant classic car magazines, resulted in a ranking of the most expensive classic cars in the world, which we have prepared for you here as a top 20 list:
20th place
picture: Lebubu93, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0
20th place: Ferrari 625 TRC Spider built in 1957 for 6.5 million dollars
19th place
picture: ignis, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0
19th place: Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost „The Corgi“ built in 1912 for 7.3 million dollars
18th place
picture: Craig Howell, licensed CC BY 2.0
18th place: „Birkin-Blower“ Bentley, 4.5 Liter Supercharged, built in 1929 for 7.8 million dollars
17th place
picture: PSParrot, licensed CC BY 2.0
17th place: Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Tour de France built in 1956 for 8.1 million dollars
16th place
picture: Luc106, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
16th place: Ferrari 410 S Berlinetta built in 1958 for 8.2 million dollars
15th place
picture: richebets, licensed CC BY 2.0
15th place: Ferrari GT California Spider SWB built in 1962 for 8.5 million dollars
14th place
13th place
picture: Johannes Maximilian, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
13th place: Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupé built in1931 for 9.7 million dollars
12th place
picture: Greg Gjerdingen, licensed CC BY 2.0
12th place: Duesenberg Model J Coupé built in 1931 for 10.3 million dollars
11th place
picture: Mr.choppers, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0
11th place: Ford GT40 Lightweight Prototyp built in 1968 for 11 million dollars
10th place
picture: Marty B, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0
10th place: Ferrari 250 GT California Spider LWB built in 1960 for 11.2 million dollars
9th place
picture: Thomas Romen, licensed CC BY 2.0
9th place: Mercedes 540K Spezial Roadster built in 1936 for 11.7 million dollars
8th place
picture: Johannes Maximilian, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
8th place: Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa built in 1957 for 16.4 million dollars
7th place
picture: Thesupermat, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0
7th place: Ferrari 340/375MM Competizione built in 1953 for 12.8 million dollars
6th place
picture: MPW57, licensed public domain
6th place: Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta for 19.26 million euros
5th place
picture: Marcusmv3, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0
5th place: Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Spider NART built in 1967 for 25.7 million dollars
4th place
picture: Darren Tee, licensed CC BY 2.0
4th place: DBR1 Aston Martin built in 1956 for 26.7 million dollars
3rd place
picture: Sean Rosekrans, licensed CC BY 2.0
3rd place: Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale built in 1964 for 26.4 million dollars
2nd place
1st place
picture: Alexandre Prevot, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0
1st place: Ferrari 335S built in 1957 for 45.7 million dollars
Conclusion: This is the most expensive classic car in the world
Rarity, racing history preferably with famous drivers and prominent previous owners quickly turn a classic car into a prestige object that can easily cost several million. Some cars like the Ferrari 250 GTO or the 355S fetch astronomical sums at auction. Identifying the most expensive classic car in the world is a rather difficult undertaking.
Above all private sales make it impossible to officially name the most expensive classic car in the world, since a lot is closed to the public, but here you can at least find a good guideline. If we forgot an important classic car, like the 1955 Jaguar D-Type that sold for 21.7 million in 2016, leave us a comment!