Top 5 Most Expensive Classic Cars Sold Worldwide

Newer models generally have the latest specifications and high performance, making them more expensive. However, some models are not like this, such as rare vehicle models that only exist worldwide. In some cases, their value is so high that they are more expensive than a supercar.

Prices also vary depending on the number of models in the world, the historical significance of the vehicle, etc. Even for the same model, the value varies depending on whether the original parts are installed and the vehicle’s state of preservation. This time, we introduce the top 5 vehicle models sold at the highest prices.

5th place is the Ferrari 335S, which was made in 1957. It was sold for about $36 million in February 2016. The 335S has been one of Ferrari’s rarest models, with only four units produced. It was made for motorsports racing and was equipped with a 4.0-liter V12 engine, producing a maximum output of 390 horsepower. Based on this, the maximum speed was recorded at 305 km/h (190 mph). However, the 355S created this way only performed in the competition for one season. The reason is that an unexpected accident occurred during the 1957 Mille Miglia, and the competition was suspended.

The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, sold for $38 million in August 2014, takes 4th place. The 250 GTO is known for its high completeness among Ferrari’s many models. It also continues the lineage of Ferrari supercars created by Ferrari founder Enzo Anselmo Ferrari. There are currently only 39 models left.

3rd place is also the Ferrari 250 GTO. It was sold for $48.4 million in August 2018. The price was significantly updated in four years because the vehicle is a historical model with chassis number 3413 and a diverse racing history. In addition, the fact that it maintained more than 95% of its original parts at the time is also why its high value was recognized.

The model ranked 2nd was the 330 LM, an improved version of the 250 GTO to meet the 1962 sports car racing regulations. The 330 LM is rare as only three of them, and the second model was sold. The price was $51.7 million, and it was traded in 2023. The 330 LM was created in 1962 when regulations requiring a 4.0-liter engine installed in the Le Mans endurance race were introduced. A 4.0-liter Colombo V12 engine with a higher displacement is installed under the engine hood, producing a maximum output of 387 horsepower and 290 km/h (180 mph) speed.

The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe is the most expensive vehicle in history. In 2022, it was sold for €135 million ($142.9 million) at a private auction held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. This model is scarce, as only two are left in the world. The vehicle’s name, Uhlenhaut, was borrowed from Rudolf Uhlenhaut, who was Mercedes-Benz’s chief designer.

The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe was created in 1955 to participate in the 1956 Le Mans endurance race. Equipped with an in-line 8-cylinder 3.0-liter engine, it produced a maximum output of 302 horsepower and a maximum speed of 290 km/h (180 mph). However, before the race, a Mercedes-Benz racer collided with the audience, and Mercedes-Benz gave up participating in all races at the time. The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe also could not participate in the scheduled competition.