As an automotive journalist, I have often encountered the question: Which is the most expensive car? So … let me answer this question.

In an attempt to group the cars by classes, taking as a criterion only Maslow’s Pyramid … we would probably start from something with four wheels that prosaically would be called “home appliance” … and we would reach a top consisting of a cocktail of passion, trophy-holding desire, duel and investment. In what proportion are the ingredients mixed, it is impossible to mention … but at a certain moment, only one is enough for the irresponsible gesture – in the opinion of the vast majority – of paying USD 30-40 million for a car.

A story about the most expensive cars bought officially at auctions.

10 – Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition Prototype

August 24, 2018, Aston Martin announced a partnership with RM Sotheby’s, the famous auction house. A partnership that was celebrated by the sale, on the same day, of an Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition Prototype of 1963 for USD 21.455 million. A unique model that was piloted by Lucien Bianchi and Phil Hill in Le Mans in 1963. The model did not finish the 24-hour race, after 29 laps it had to withdraw to the pits because of transmission problems. A model equipped with a 4-liter inline 6-cylinder propeller, three Weber carburetors, 327 hp for the race in Le Mans, and 1,007 kg. In 1966, the car was involved in an accident during a test session on a highway, being severely damaged. An attempt was made to repair it in the `60s, but hardly after 1978 the car underwent a restoration process that lasted until May 1991.

9 – Jaguar D-Type

The chassis with number XKD 501 identifies the first Jaguar D-Type produced for a private team by the British manufacturer. The model was sold to the Scottish team Ecurie Ecosse and was officially introduced on May 5, 1955. The car was delivered in the colors of the team, a beautiful blue and St. Andrew’s Cross on the front wings. The car was entrusted for testing to

Jimmy Stewart, brother of the legendary Jackie Stewart … but unfortunately, that May, he damaged it twice in accidents. The car was sent to the factory for repairs, and rested during the tragic edition of Le Mans in 1955, the year when a D-Type factory model won the race, the very model that generated the tragedy that led to the withdrawal of Mercedes-Benz from motorsport in 1955. Year 1956 contributed greatly to the present value of the car, as XKD 501 won that year’s Le Mans. August 19, 2016, Jaguar D-Type XKD 501, 3,442 cc inline six-cylinder engine, 250 hp, was awarded for USD 21.78 million.

8 – Duesenberg SSJ

A model of 1935 that was ordered by Gary Cooper. It was produced in two examples, equipped with a 6,882 cc straight eight engine that generates 400 hp, three-speed manual transmission, hydraulic braking system with all-wheel drums. An original model, it did not undergo any restoration. A model for which, at the beginning of the auction, on August 25, 2018, one estimated the owner would pay around USD 10 million. He did it, but for USD 22 million.

7 – Aston Martin DBR1

It was born after the 1955 Le Mans tragedy, when the FIA came up with new rules for the World Sports Car Championship and the 24-hour race in Le Mans. The intention was to have prototype sports models in endurance competitions, not road cars. DBR1 was designed by Ted Cutting and equipped with a 2.5-liter inline 6-cylinder engine. After 1956 being the Jaguar year, it won in 1959, with Aston Martin winning both Le Mans and the World Championship, a performance achieved only by Ferrari in 1954 with 375 Plus, and in 1958 with 250TR. August 19, 2017, at an auction organized by RM Sotheby’s, an Aston Martin DBR1 was bought for USD 22.55 million.

6 – Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale

And from now on, there is almost a total domination of the Ferrari models. Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale was built in 1964, the body being signed by Scaglietti. Only three models with these specifications were produced. On August 16, 2014, the model was awarded for USD 26.4 million at an auction organized by RM Auctions in Monterey, California.

5 – Ferrari 275 GTB/4 S N.A.R.T. Spider

We go on with a Ferrari 275, in particular a 275 GTB/4 S N.A.R.T. Spider. There was a time when the Ferrari hunters in America had a say as concerns the body versions that came out of the factory gate in Maranello. And one of these salesmen was Luigi Chinetti, the main culprit for the series of only ten 275 GTB/4 S N.A.R.T. Spiders. If you wonder what N.A.R.T. means, it is the acronym for North American Racing Team – one of the most successful teams engaged in endurance racing. A Spider with a 3.2-liter V12 engine and six Weber carburetors that generate an output of over 300 hp, 5-speed manual transmission and independent suspension.

On August 17, 2013, the model with chassis number 10709 was bought at auction for USD 27.5 million.

4 – Ferrari 290MM

On December 10, 2015, RM Sotheby’s auction house organized the “Driven by Disruption” event. The star of the auction: a 290MM Ferrari driven by Juan Manuel Fangio. The car that belonged to the collector Pierre Bardino found a new owner for USD 28.05 million. The model with chassis number 0626 was nicknamed “The Indestructible” due to its 8-year career in motorsport, during which time it fought at the top. The model did not suffer any accident in its sports career. To understand a little how valuable this car is, let me tell you who sat behind the steering wheel : Juan Manuel Fangio, Phil Hill, Peter Collins, Wolfgang Von Trips, Eugenio Castellotti and Luigi Musso. There are only four cars left, and another 290 MM model was sold on December 8, 2018 for USD 22 million.

3 – Mercedes-Benz W196

The chassis with the number 00006/54 had a relatively short career, only 14 months of competition, so that in 1955 it was withdrawn from competitions at the end of the year. It was driven by Juan Manuel Fangio in 1954, then later, during the same year, it was distributed to the junior Hans Herrmann, who in the 1954 Italian Grand Prix finished the fourth at the steering wheel of this W196. In 1955, during the same event, at the steering wheel of the model was Karl Kling, who was behind Fangio, who was also competing on a W196, but a failure of the box led to abandonment. The car was repaired and ready to compete … but on December 22, 1955, it was sent to the Mercedes-Benz Museum. It also participated in several events and tests, and in 1980 it arrived in a private collection. On July 12, 2013, at an auction organized by Bonhams, this Mercedes-Benz W196 00006/54 was bought for USD 29.6 million.

2 – Ferrari 335 S

They say about this model that it has a record in competitions that, if written …, it would have the length of a pilot’s arm. And this is the main reason for the colossal amount for which it was bought on February 15, 2016 in Paris, France: USD 35.73 million. This Ferrari 335 S with chassis number 0674 was driven by Scaglietti. It has a V12 engine that generates a little more than 400 hp, and it is the first model that ran a lap at Le Mans with an average speed of over 200 km/h. It happened in 1957.

1 – Ferrari 250 GTO

It is actually a kind of Top 12 of the most valuable models. Ferrari 290 MM occupies two positions in Top 10, namely the fourth and the ninth positions. It would have been a relatively monotonous top, because 7 out of 10 models came from Maranello. That’s because the first position is actually a double signed by Ferrari 250 GTO. On August 14, 2014, a 250 GTO finds its owner during a Bonhams event, for USD 38.1115 million. It was the chassis with the number 3851GT. On August 26, 2018, the chassis with the number 3413GT was awarded for USD 48.4 million. Things don’t stop there, a Ferrari 250 GTO was sold in a private transaction for USD 70 million. As a conclusion, 13 models for USD 413.5 million!!!

Constantin Ciobanu

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