The classic car market is up there with super yachts in terms of playgrounds that the rich and famous simply have to dabble in.
But what are the richest that have ever been sold at auction? It’s a list dominated by Ferrari and the top 10 are here.
10. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe
Price: $142,000,000 (estimated)
Despite Ferrari’s dominance it’s a Mercedes-Benz that takes the top spot – and by some distance. One of only two 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupes ever built, the car was sold at an exclusive, invite-only auction at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, for an incredible £114million.
The 200 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe was named after its creator and chief engineer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, and was owned by Mercedes from new, covering only 3,756 miles in seven decades. While neither 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe was raced, both models used an upgraded 302bhp 3.0-litre straight-eight taken from the iconic two-time Grand Prix World Championship-winning W196 R, driven by none other than, you guessed it, Juan Manuel Fangio.
9. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
Price: $48,405,000
Another 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO and another whopping price tag. Chassis number 3413 GT - was owned for two decades by Ferrari enthusiast and vintage racer Dr Gregory Whitten before he sold it in 2018. It was driven to the auction block by five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell before bidding opened at a staggering $35million. Three bidders contested over 10 minutes before it eventually went for $48,405,000.
8. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
Price: $38,115,000
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO is for many, the most beautiful car ever built. This 250 GTO was designed and built to contest the 1963 FIA World GT Championships, which it went on to win. This specific example is one of the moat pristine but also has a genuine racing pedigree to match.
7. 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti
Price: $35,700,000
The Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti pictured here has quite an astonishing CV. The car has competed in everything from the Sebring 12 Hours, the famed Mille Miglia, Le Mans and everything in between.
6. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196
Price: $29,600,000
Fangio seems to have an effect on expensive cars. This Mercedes-Benz W196 Grand Prix car was another driven by five-time Formula One World Champion which no doubt contributed to its massive £17.7million sale price at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2013.
5. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM
Price: $28,050,000
Another 290 MM which was sold in New York City. Originally built for Fangio to race in the 1956 Mille Miglia, when sold it set records for the most expensive car sold in 2015, the most expensive car sold in New York City, and the most expensive car RM Sotheby's had ever sold at the time.
4. 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S NART Spider
Price: $27,500,000
Yes, you guessed it. Another prancing horse. This time it’s a fully-restored Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S NART Spider, which is one of only 10 on the planet. It sold for £16million in 2013, aided by a detailed history which included an appearance with Steve McQueen in the film The Thomas Crown Affair.
3. 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale by Scaglietti
Price: $26,400,000
This £15.7m Ferrari is one of Ferrari’s rarest. It’s one of only three Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale models built by and was designed to challenge the Ford GT40 and Shelby Cobra Daytona at Le Mans in 1965.
2. 1956 Aston Martin DBR1
Price: $22,550,000
In a list of beautiful cars the 1956 Aston Martin DBR1/1 is up there as one of the prettiest. It’s a recent addition to this list having sold for a whopping $22.5 at Monterey Car Week in 2017 and is currently the most expensive British car ever sold at auction.
It was the first of five DBR1s and was another to have given Sir Stirling Moss a trophy after he won the 1959 Nürburgring 1000.
1. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM
Price: $22,005,000
Ferrari developed the 290 MM to challenge for the Mile Miglia (hence it’s name) as well as the 1956 World Sports Car Championship. Scuderia Ferrari raced this particular 290 MM in the 56/57 seasons and its drivers included the legendary trio of Juan Manuel Fangio, Phil Hill and Sir Stirling Moss who all tasted victory in the MM while driving for private teams.