The 10 Most Expensive Cars Sold At Auction:
1. 1936 Bugatti Type 57C Atlantic – $43.7 million (2010)
This car is so rare that only three models, other than the prototype, were built. The buyer was unknown, but American fashion designer Ralph Lauren is one of the owners of the other two.
2. 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO – $19.4 million (2010)
The most prized vehicle in the Ferrari collecting circles, the GTO was purchased by the a British television and radio personality Chris Evens. A mere two models out of the 36 ever built have made it to auction in the past 18 years.
3. 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa – $16.39 million (2011)
Testa Rossa translates into ‘Red Head’ because of the color of its valve colors, and this one won three Le Mans races between 1958 and 1961.
4. 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe – $14.9 million (1987)
If this car were to be adjusted to for inflation, it would be second on the list. It was sold to an anonymous Japanese buyer, but rumors are circulating that it’ll make a comeback to the market in the near future.
5. 1936 Mercedes 540K – $11.7 million (2012)
Formula One’s Bernie Ecclestone sold his in 2007 for $6.3 million, setting a record that was broken this year at Pebble Beach when 26 examples sold for nearly twice as much.
6. 1968 Ford GT40 – $11 million (2012)
This Ford GT40 is from Ford’s racing heyday and it beat Ferrari at Le Mans. The most expensive American car ever sold at auction once belonged to Steve McQueen.
7. 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB – $9.5 million (2008)
The Ferrari known as ‘The California’ once belonged to James Coburn. Chris Evans, owner of the GTO in number two, then bought and sold it to finance the purchase of the GTO.
8. 1931 Bugatti Royale Berline – $8.9 million (1986)
Originally built for European royalty, this car actually belonged to the Bugatti family before it made its way to the United States in the 1950s. The car was a complete disaster when it launched since it was in the middle of the Great Depression.
9. 1929 ‘Birkin’ Bentley 4 ½ litre – $7.9 million (2012)
The most expensive British car ever sold at auction went at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, breaking the record set by a 1904 Rolls Royce 10HP in 2006.
10. 1962 Ferrari 330 TRI/LM
This Ferrari sold after some serious restoration work following a crash in 1963, one year after winning Le Mans. It’s still a serious racing car, even by today’s standards.
Source and photos courtesy The Pursuitist
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