A car’s history is judged by its rich performance, trailblazing design, price, and the competitive honors it is able to earn through its life-cycle. Throughout history, there have been some incredible cars that capture our imagination.

All these variables aside, what really makes an automobile’s legacy unforgettable and solidifies its timeless power is the time when the piece is placed on auction. An auction represents the value a car has long after its release.

There are several modern cars that offer the most irresistible qualities of comfort, technology and smooth powertrain but no petrolhead or nostalgia-stricken car enthusiast can deny the iconic cars of the past. These are bid at ludicrous prices a common buyer cannot even begin to imagine.

It’s vivid proof that some cars can make their mark way further into the future. Here are the 15 most expensive cars sold at auction, while the price has been adjusted for inflation as well.

15 1957 Ferrari 335 S - $40,131, 514

en.wikipedia.org

Ferrari’s 335 S was ahead of its time with its 400 horsepower. Wheeled by legendary drivers like Peter Collins and Stirling Moss, the sports car set records and won many titles, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Only four 1957 Ferrari 335 S’s were ever built. In 2016 it was auctioned at the Retromobile sale in Paris.

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14 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO - $51,584,132

endurance-classic.com

Ferrari has accomplished a rare timelessness with its ground-breaking lineage. In 2018, the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, Lot 247 was the most valuable car and was bid at a $44 million price. Only 36 250 GTOs built throughout its production, the car boasts a large engine, a top speed of 174mph and horsepower rated at 302.

13 1956 Ferrari 290 MM – $31,954,833

pinterest.com

Juan Manuel Fangio drove the Ferrari 290 MM for a long period of success. The sports coupe was originally designed to compete in the 1956 Mille Miglia, where it took the fourth position led by Fangio. Under the success lies a 3490.61cc engine that made 315 horsepower and reached top speeds of 174mph

12 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 - $35,381,264

hemmings.com

The Mercedes-Benz W196 took the German and Swiss Grand Prix in the same year with legendary driver Fangio at the wheel. The Formula 1 race car was sold for $29.65 million in 2013. The car that gained Fangio his second Formula 1 championship in 1954 made 257-horsepower which was notched up to 290-horsepower in later upgrades.

11 1967 Ferrari 275GTB/4*S NART Spider - $32,871,341

reddit.com

While Ferrari 250 GTs from the early 1960’s garner staggering auction sales, the 1967 Ferrari 275GTB/4*S NART Spider unexpectedly earned an impressive sale at an auction in 2013. With a powerful 3,286 cc quad V12 engine controlling the drivetrain, the sports car produced 300 horsepower. Being one of the rarest Ferraris ever, as only ten of these were made.

10 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale - $30,601,072

motorauthority.com

Looking at the frequent auctioneering of the Ferrari sports model, the 1960s was truly the era for the manufacturer whose classic productions now scoops in multiple millions in bids. While 453 of 1964’s 275 GTB/C Speciale were built, only 3 of them drove at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1965. Its 3.3L V-12 engine makes 320-horsepower.

9 1956 Aston Martin DBR1/1 - $25,763,606

DBR1
Via rmsothebys.com

The British manufacturer made only five of DBR1/1 that helped Aston Martin achieve victory in the 1959 Nürburgring 1,000 km. In 2017, it became the most expensive British sports car to be sold at an auction at RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale. Throughout its participation in races, the engine was constantly modified but initially debuted at 2.5-liter.

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8 1955 Ferrari 410S - $25, 239,406

rmsothebys.com

The 1955 410 S had its own set of adventures in racing and made rounds around private auctioneers. A powerful 4,962cc engine that produced 380 horsepower paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox, was installed in an evolved version of the 375 Plus. Ferrari following 375 Plus, built the 410 S to contest in 1955 Carrera Panamericana.

7 1935 Duesenberg SSJ - $22,994,716

1935 Duesenberg SSJ
via Goodings & Co

Among the Ferrari sports generation, the 1935 Duesenberg SSJ is a lesser-known auctioned record-setter. The American manufactured vintage coupe broke CSX2000’s record when it was sold for $22 million in 2018 at Gooding & Company auction. Built against the backdrop of the Great Depression, SSJ featured a 7.0L supercharged engine generating 400 horsepower.

6 1955 Jaguar D-type - $24,476,140

rmsothebys.com

1955 Jaguar D might not be the most expensive one but it is popular among motorsports admirers. The titular overall champion of the 1956 24 hours of Le Mans, this Jaguar was the first D-type produced for a private team and was sold to Ecurie Ecosse. The car delivered 250-horsepower with a 3,442cc DOHC engine.

5 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Lungo Spider - $31,355,829

imgur.com

Alfa Romeo’s 8C Lungo Spider is not only rare with 32 units built but the most treasured coupe from the 1930s. Its compelling powertrain and impressive specs place it distinctively among the 1939 Chevrolets and Fords. Underlining the chassis is a 2905 cc DOHC engine that gives out 180-horsepower.

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4 1931 Bugatti Type 41 Royale Kellner Coupe - $47,562,739

motor1.com

Standing on a long 169.3 inches wheelbase and covering 252 inches in length, the Bugatti Type 41 is one of the largest cars in the world. An enormous 12.7L V-8 engine measuring 4.6 feet long and 4.2 feet high lies inside. Out of a small production of six, two of them were never sold.

3 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider - $19,977,623

rmsothebys.com

With its 2953cc SOHC Colombo engine, the Ferrari 250 GT SWB blasts out 226-horsepower in a 4-speed manual transmission and independent front suspension. Later the horsepower, by contracting the wheelbase, was increased up to 280 horsepower. It is one of the 16 Spiders built with open headlights out of the total 56 Ferrari Spiders.

2 1963 Aston Martin DP215 - $22,376,312

rmsothebys.com

After conquering many races with athletic grooves like DP214s winning Coupes de Paris, the idea of Aston Martin’s DP215 was developed which ultimately became the last racing car built by the manufacturer. Based on its predecessors, DP215 carried a DP212 6-cylinder engine. In 1963 Le Mans, it became the first car to cross the 185mph bar.

1 1994 McLaren F1 LM - $20,163,470

businessinsider.com

Rarely does a 1990s model auction at dizzying prices, but the exceedingly rare 1994 McLaren F1 was auctioned for $19.8 million in 2019, the most expensive McLaren ever sold. The F1 LM comes with GTR-racing engine that storms out 680 horsepower. With this exceptional model, McLaren prevailed in many championships including the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans.

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