Great Sports Cars

3 Most Expensive Sports Cars Ever Sold At Auction

As a sports car collector and enthusiast, there is nothing more exciting than attending an auction and witnessing the sale of a rare and valuable sports car. Some of the most expensive sports cars in the world have been sold at auction, and the prices they fetch are often jaw-dropping. In this article, we will take a closer look at the three most expensive sports cars ever sold at auction.

1. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO

The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO is widely regarded as one of the most desirable and valuable sports cars ever made. Only 39 were ever produced, and in 2018, one of them was sold at auction for a staggering $48.4 million. This particular car had an impressive racing history, having won the 1962 Italian GT Championship and placed fourth overall at the 1962 Le Mans 24 Hours.

2. 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti

The 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti is another rare and highly sought-after sports car. Only four were ever made, and in 2016, one of them was sold at auction for $35.7 million. This car had an impressive racing history, having won the 1958 Cuba Grand Prix and the 1958 Sebring 12 Hours.

3. 1963 Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition Prototype

The 1963 Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition Prototype is a unique and highly valuable sports car. Only one was ever made, and in 2018, it was sold at auction for $21.5 million. This car was built specifically for the Le Mans 24 Hours race and had a top speed of 198 mph.

These three sports cars are not only incredibly rare and valuable but also have impressive racing histories. They are true works of art and represent the pinnacle of automotive engineering and design.

1. Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti

The Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti is one of the most iconic sports cars ever built by the Italian automaker, Ferrari. It was produced in the mid-1950s and was designed with endurance racing in mind. The Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti is powered by a 4.1-liter V12 engine that produces 390 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful cars of its time.

History of the Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti

The Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti was first introduced in 1957 and was designed to compete in the famous Mille Miglia race, which was a 1,000-mile race through the Italian countryside. The car was designed by Sergio Scaglietti, who was a famous Italian coachbuilder that worked with Ferrari on many of their most iconic models.

The Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti was built with a lightweight aluminum body that helped to reduce the car’s overall weight and improve its performance. The car was also equipped with a four-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential, which helped to improve its handling and traction on the track.

Features of the Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti

The Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti is a true masterpiece of automotive engineering and design. Some of its most notable features include:

• A 4.1-liter V12 engine that produces 390 horsepower
• A lightweight aluminum body that helps to reduce the car’s overall weight
• A four-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential for improved handling and traction
• A top speed of over 190 mph

Auction Details

In 2016, a Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti sold for a record-breaking $35.7 million at an auction in Paris, France. This makes it one of the most expensive sports cars ever sold at auction. The car was originally owned by the legendary Italian racing driver, Sir Stirling Moss, and was one of only four models ever built by Ferrari.

The Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti is a true masterpiece of automotive engineering and design. It is one of the most iconic sports cars ever built and has a rich history in endurance racing. Its record-breaking sale at auction is a testament to its timeless beauty and exceptional performance.

2. Mercedes-Benz W196R

The Mercedes-Benz W196R is one of the most iconic sports cars of all time. It was designed for the 1954 and 1955 Formula One seasons, and it dominated the competition. The car was driven by legendary drivers like Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss, who helped to establish the Mercedes-Benz brand as a force to be reckoned with in the world of motorsports.

History of the Mercedes-Benz W196R

The Mercedes-Benz W196R was designed in response to new regulations for the 1954 Formula One season. The new rules required cars to have a maximum engine displacement of 2.5 liters and to use either naturally aspirated or supercharged engines. Mercedes-Benz decided to build a new car from scratch, and the result was the W196R.

The W196R featured a lightweight aluminum body, a tubular frame, and a fuel-injected 2.5-liter straight-eight engine. It also had a unique and innovative design that included a low-slung body, a streamlined nose, and a high-mounted exhaust pipe. The car was incredibly fast and agile, and it quickly became the car to beat on the Formula One circuit.

Features of the Mercedes-Benz W196R

The Mercedes-Benz W196R was a groundbreaking car in many ways. It was one of the first Formula One cars to use fuel injection, which gave it a significant power advantage over its carbureted competitors. The car also had a five-speed gearbox, which allowed drivers to shift quickly and smoothly through the gears.

The W196R was also incredibly aerodynamic, thanks to its low-slung body and streamlined design. The car had a top speed of around 186 mph, which was faster than any other car on the Formula One circuit at the time.

Auction Details

The Mercedes-Benz W196R is one of the most valuable sports cars ever sold at auction. In 2013, a W196R driven by Juan Manuel Fangio was sold at auction for a record-breaking $29.6 million. The car had been kept in a private collection for many years, and it was in immaculate condition.

The 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Formula One car was sold by Bonhams at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Chichester, UK. The car was purchased by an anonymous buyer, who paid the highest price ever recorded for a car sold at auction.

The Mercedes-Benz W196R is a true masterpiece of automotive engineering. Its innovative design, groundbreaking technology, and incredible racing pedigree make it one of the most sought-after sports cars in the world. If you’re a collector or enthusiast, owning a W196R would be the ultimate dream come true.

3. Aston Martin DBR1

The Aston Martin DBR1 is one of the most iconic sports cars in history. It was built by Aston Martin in the late 1950s to compete in the World Sportscar Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car was designed by Ted Cutting and powered by a 2.5-liter straight-six engine that produced 250 horsepower. The DBR1 was incredibly successful, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959 and the World Sportscar Championship in 1959 and 1960.

Features of the Aston Martin DBR1

The DBR1 was a lightweight car, weighing only 2,000 pounds. It had a top speed of 180 mph and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. The car was also known for its exceptional handling and braking capabilities.

The DBR1 was also a beautiful car, with a sleek and aerodynamic design. It featured a long hood, a short rear deck, and a low profile. The car was painted in Aston Martin’s signature racing green color, with white stripes running down the center of the car.

Auction Details

The Aston Martin DBR1 is one of the most expensive sports cars ever sold at auction. In August 2017, a 1956 Aston Martin DBR1 sold for $22.6 million at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction. This particular car was the first of just five DBR1s ever built and was driven by racing legends such as Stirling Moss and Carroll Shelby.

The sale of this DBR1 set a new record for the most expensive British car ever sold at auction. It also cemented the DBR1’s place in history as one of the most sought-after and valuable sports cars in the world.