When it comes to the world’s most expensive cars, it’s easy to think the numbers run out around £4 million, but that’s when the real money in the classic car market begins.
So, based on the price paid when the automobiles changed hands, here are the most costly cars on the planet. Oh, and if you’re wondering why the prices are in dollars, it’s because the majority of the automobiles included were sold in the United States. At the time of writing, the converted number in pounds sterling is correct.
List of 10 Most Expensive Cars in the World?
1. The world’s most expensive car: The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé
In 2022, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe became the most expensive car ever sold, and it has yet to be surpassed. It was auctioned off for an eye-watering €135 million (£114.4 million).
The car was originally owned by Mercedes-Benz and was sold by RM Sotheby’s at the Mercedes-Benz Museum to an undisclosed buyer. Simon Kidston, the head of classic car specialist Kidston SA, put the winning bid on behalf of the mystery bidder.
The current world record price for any car is £114.4 million, more than double the previous mark, which was held by a Ferrari 250 GTO (below). It was so pricey that the starting bid for the SLR was greater than the final amount for the 250 GTO.
2. Ferrari 250 GTO – $70,000,000 (£52,300,000)
When it grabbed the title from another Ferrari 250 GTO, it became the new king. This one sold privately for £52 million to US car parts magnate David MacNeil from German racing driver Christian Glaesel.
The automobile has a storied racing history, having won the 1964 Tour de France and placed fourth in the 1963 Le Mans 24 Hours, among other achievements. It has also never been crashed, which experts believe is the key to its high worth.
3. Ferrari 250 GTO – $38,115,000 (£30,750,300)
Many people will be surprised to learn that two of the three most expensive cars ever sold at auction are Ferrari 250 GTOs, despite the fact that this specimen is only third in the overall rankings. No other car in the world has garnered such a reputation and mystique, much of it based on prior auction records. More importantly, because to its powerful 3.0-litre V12, beautifully balanced chassis, and impeccable race heritage, the car is one of the finest of its day. Only 39 were built, and Jo Schlesser raced one of them.
4. Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti – $35,700,000 (£28,801,940)
This 1957 Ferrari set yet another record when it became the most expensive racing car ever sold at auction at the beginning of 2016. It sparked considerable attention because it had previously been owned for 40 years by a private collector and had been raced by Peter Collins and Maurice Trintignant in the 1957 Sebring 12 Hours. Following that, it competed in the Mille Miglia, driven by Wolfgang von Trips. In this market, provenance like that leads to such a high price being paid.
5. Mercedes-Benz W196 – $29,600,000 (£23,880,600)
This incredible Mercedes Grand Prix automobile is the three-pointed star’s second appearance on our list, and what a car it is. It won the German and Swiss Grands Prix in 1954, driven by Juan Manuel Fangio. At the time of the auction in 2013, it was the most expensive automobile ever sold at auction.
6. Ferrari 290 MM – $28,050,000 (£22,630,100)
More Ferrari racing history is near the top of our list. This one was manufactured for the 1956 Mille Miglia and was also driven by the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio, whose name usually lends a significant amount of reputation and value to every car he competed in. Only four 290s were built, and this one went on to win more races after the Mille Miglia.
7. Ferrari 275 GTB/4 S NART Spider – $27,500,000 (£22,186,365)
During the 1950s and 1960s, the North American Racing Team (NART) promoted Ferrari automobiles in the United States in order to boost brand awareness. It did, however, purchase special road cars from the factory, and this Spider is one of only ten constructed. It was also owned for a while by actor Steve McQueen, who used it in the film ‘The Thomas Crown Affair.’
8. Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale – $26,400,000 (£21,298,910)
Any Ferrari 275 is a fantastic car that carries a premium price today, but this GTB/C Speciale was built to race. It boasts an aluminum body for weight savings, and its 3.0-liter V12 engine was factory-modified to provide an additional 70bhp. This model was never raced while it was new, which contributed to its high auction price, which was paid in 2014.
9. Aston Martin DBR 1 – $22,555,000 (£17,716,275)
This is undoubtedly Aston Martin’s most important model in its long history. The first of only five built, it won the 1959 Nürbrugring 1000km event and was raced by Roy Salvadori, Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, and Carroll Shelby. It’s no surprise that this World Sportscar Championship racer is the most expensive British-built car ever sold, with bidders driving the price up to $22,555,000 (£17,716,275) when it was auctioned off in Monterey.
10. Ferrari 410 Sport – $22,005,000 (£17,285,587)
The 410 S was built by Ferrari between 1955 and 1956 as an endurance racer for the 1955 Carrera Panamericana and an evolution of the 375 Plus that came before it. It was originally powered by a 5.0-litre single-plug V12 with 330bhp before being updated to twin plugs per cylinder and 369bhp. Due to its racing history and limited production run, it quickly became a highly collectible item, with a single-plug car selling for $22,005,000 (£17,285,587) in Monterey.
Which is the cheapest car in the world?
The Tata Nano is the world’s most affordable automobile. The lowest-tier Tata Nano model is priced similarly to a motorcycle, at around IDR 26 million to IDR 28 million, or around US$1,691 to US$1,821. Despite its low cost, the Tata Nano features a small engine capacity of 624 cc.
Which is the safest car in the world?
Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Honda, Subaru, Mazda, and Tesla are among the world’s safest vehicles. Volvo has various vehicles that constantly receive good safety ratings thanks to innovative technology and safety systems. Audi is regarded not only as a premium brand but also for its safety.
What country has the cheapest car in the world?
America has the cheapest car in the world. The Tata Nano is sold as low as $1,691.
Source: www.ghgossip.com
