Million Dollar Wheels: The Most Expensive Cars Ever Sold

On May 5, 2022, the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe sold for a whopping $142 million, making it the most expensive vehicle ever sold at auction. Today's modern marvels are loaded with bells and whistles, but their value doesn't hold a candle to some of the sleekest cars of the 1950s and 1960s.

Without further ado, here are the top 10 most expensive cars ever sold. The luxury cars on this list sold for top dollar due to their historical significance, innovative features, and rarity. Collectors continue to value these cars for shaping the automotive industry and helping early racing pros advance the field of motorsports. 

1. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe

In his role as the head of passenger car development for Mercedes-Benz, Rudolf Uhlenhaut set out to solve one of the biggest problems in racing: the effects of wind and rain on open vehicles. 

Uhlenhaut found a way to use a closed vehicle without increasing drag, allowing racers to perform better without subjecting themselves to the elements. Alas, Mercedes-Benz executives decided to focus on passenger cars instead of racing cars. 

Uhlenhaut only made two prototypes of the 1955 300 SLR coupe. The first sold for $142 million, and the other one remains in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. Since the 1955 300 SLR coupe never went into production, it's extremely rare, contributing to its value.

Noteworthy features

• Eight-cylinder engine

• Side-mounted exhaust pipes

• 310 horsepower

• 5-speed manual transmission

• Curb weight of 2,463 pounds

2. 1962 Ferrari 330 LM/250 GTO

In the early 1960s, Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile changed its rules, preventing certain vehicles from earning points in racing events. Ferrari responded by designing the 1962 Ferrari 330 LM/250 GTO, a stunning example of performance engineering. The aerodynamic body makes the 330 LM/250 GTO look more like a work of art than an automobile, but don't be fooled by its delicate appearance.

Ferrari engineers used lighter tubing in the frame, reducing the vehicle's weight without sacrificing speed. The 330 LM/250 GTO relied on a 3-liter Colombo short-block V12 engine, making it one of the most powerful Ferrari models produced to date.

Eventually, Ferrari entered two vehicles in the 4-liter class at the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans event. One of those vehicles, the Ferrari 330 TRI LM, finished first, continuing Ferrari's legacy of racing excellence. In 2023, the 330 LM/250 GTO (chassis number 3765) fetched $51.705 million at auction. Although the 330 LM looks like the 250 GTO, it has a longer wheelbase, delivering an even smoother ride.

Noteworthy features

• Top speed of 174 mph

• 390 horsepower at 7,500 rpm

• Dry sump lubrication

• Tubular steel frame

• Four-speed + reverse transmission

3. & 4. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO

Giotto Bizzarrini, one of Ferrari's most famous engineers, headed up the design team for the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. Bizzarrini wanted to create a replacement for the SWB 250 Berlinetta, a Ferrari model that lacked stability at top racing speeds.

The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO incorporated several new features, including dual Watt's linkages for enhanced stability. Ferrari also used wind tunnels to optimize the aerodynamics of the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, resulting in a lightweight vehicle capable of holding its own in any race.

Edoardo Lualdi-Gabardi, Gianni Bulgari, and Corrado Ferlaino all used the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO to win racing championships, bringing even more attention to Ferrari's engineering feats. Thanks to its storied history as a race car, the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO is one of the most coveted Ferrari models. One vehicle sold for $38.115 million in 2014, while another sold for $48.405 million in 2018.

Noteworthy features

• Removable D-shaped panels

• V12 engine

• 102 horsepower per liter

• Maximum speed of 174 mph

• Five-speed + reverse transmission

5. 1957 Ferrari 335 S

In 1957, Alfonso de Portago drove the Ferrari 335 S at the famed Mille Miglia in Italy. De Portago and his co-driver were in third place when they blew a tire just a few miles before the finish line. The Ferrari 335 S spun out of control, killing both drivers and several spectators.

The tragic history of the 1957 Ferrari 335 S, plus the fact that Ferrari produced only four, makes this luxury car one of the most coveted in existence. In 2016, a buyer paid nearly $36 million to own a piece of history. Carrozzeria Scaglietti wanted the 1957 335 S to look like the earlier 315 S, but the updated design used a larger engine.

Noteworthy features

• V12 engine

• Maximum of 390 horsepower at 7,400 rpm

• Four-speed + reverse transmission

• Tubular steel frame

• Top speed of 186 mph

6. 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta

The 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta incorporated some elements of the P3 prototype made in 1966, but Ferrari engineers updated the bodywork, improved the suspension, and added alloy wheels for an even more polished look. In 2023, the 412P Berlinetta sold for $30.255 million, due in part to its rarity — Ferrari produced only two of this model.

Noteworthy features

• V12 engine

• Maximum of 420 horsepower at 8,000 rpm

• Tubular steel frame

• Five-speed + reverse transmission

• 2,400-millimeter wheelbase

7. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196

Rudolf Uhlenhaut has a long history of designing luxury automobiles with staying power. Before he developed the 1955 300 SLR, Uhlenhaut worked on the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196. The Formula 1 racing car came with direct fuel injection and a new type of valve, resulting in improved valve timing at high speeds. Mercedes-Benz made just 10 of these cars, contributing to their high value.

Juan Manuel Fangio drove the W196 at the 1954 French Grand Prix, racing past Ferrari, Maserati and Gordini to win first place. Due to its unique design and status as a Formula 1 champion, the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 fetched $29.65 million at auction in 2013. 

Noteworthy features

• Eight-cylinder engine

• Desmodromic valves

• Direct fuel injection

• Dual overhead camshafts

• Maximum brake horsepower of 290 at 8,500 rpm

8. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM

Carrozzeria Scaglietti also designed the 1956 Ferrari 290 MM, which started out as a replacement for the 860 Monza. The Monza was a bit more fragile than a high-performance vehicle should be, so Ferrari engineers overhauled the suspension system to make it sturdier. Eugenio Castellotti used the Ferrari 290 MM to take first place at the Mille Miglia in 1956, cementing the model's place in racing history.

Ferrari only made four of these vehicles, making them highly collectible. In 2015, a buyer paid $28.05 million for a 1956 Ferrari 290 MM with chassis number 0628. 

Noteworthy features

• V12 engine

• Maximum of 320 horsepower at 7,200 rpm

• Dry sump lubrication

• Tubular steel frame

• Drum brakes

9. 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4S NART Spider

Ferrari only produced 10 NART Spiders, making the 1967 275 GTB/4S version one of the manufacturer's most desirable models. Unlike many models on this list, the 275 GTB/4S wasn't used to win the Mille Miglia or compete in the French Grand Prix. American Eddie Smith purchased the car in 1968, using it as a replacement for his Berlinetta. 

The limited production run, combined with the vehicle's unique design, makes the 276 GTB/4S NART extremely valuable. In 2013, Sotheby's auctioned the luxury car for $27.5 million.

Noteworthy features

• 300 brake horsepower

• V12 engine

• Five-speed manual transmission

• Independent suspension

• 94.5-inch wheelbase

10. 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C

When you see the 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C, it's easy to imagine yourself speeding along the autobahn. Designed by Pininfarina, this model featured an independent rear suspension and a rear-mounted gearbox, which distributed its weight more evenly. The 275 GTB/C is much rarer than the 250 GTO, as Ferrari only produced four of the competition vehicles.

As a result, the 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C stirred up plenty of interest at a 2014 Sotheby's auction. The lucky buyer paid $26.4 million for the vehicle, making it one of the 10 most expensive cars ever sold. 

Noteworthy features

• V12 engine

• Five-speed manual transmission

• Coil-spring independent suspension

• Four-wheel disc brakes

• 94.4-inch wheelbase

Edmunds says: Trends come and go, but the most expensive cars ever sold will always have a place in collectors' hearts.