The most expensive car ever sold at auction is the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, which fetched 135 million euros (about $143 million) at RM Sotheby’s in Stuttgart on 5 May 2022. The second most expensive is a 1954 Mercedes Grand Prix car at about $53.9 million in February 2025. This list ranks the ten highest prices paid for any car at a public auction, new or old, as of October 2026. It includes two 2026 results.
| Rank | Car | Price (USD) | Sale date | Sold at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe | about $143 million | May 2022 | RM Sotheby’s, Stuttgart |
| 2 | 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R Stromlinienwagen | about $53.9 million | February 2025 | RM Sotheby’s, Stuttgart |
| 3 | 1962 Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO | $51.7 million | November 2023 | RM Sotheby’s, New York |
| 4 | 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO (3413GT) | $48.4 million | August 2018 | RM Sotheby’s, Monterey |
| 5 | 1964 Shelby Daytona Coupe (CSX2300) | $42.9 million | August 2026 | Gooding Christie’s, Pebble Beach |
| 6 | 2026 Ferrari Luce “Tailor Made” (Chassis 0) | about $40 million (reported) | August 2026 | RM Sotheby’s, Monterey |
| 7 | 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO (3729GT) | $38.5 million | January 2026 | Mecum, Kissimmee |
| 8 | 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO (3851GT) | $38.1 million | August 2014 | Bonhams, Carmel |
| 9 | 1964 Ferrari 250 LM (5893) | about $36.3 million | February 2025 | RM Sotheby’s, Paris |
| 10 | 1957 Ferrari 335 S | about $35.7 million | February 2016 | Artcurial, Paris |
1. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe: about $143 million
Mercedes built two closed-roof versions of its 300 SLR racing car in 1955. Chief engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut drove one as his own, which gave the car its name. RM Sotheby’s sold it at the Mercedes-Benz museum in Stuttgart on 5 May 2022 to a private collector for 135 million euros. That is almost three times the old record, and it remains the benchmark for every car sale since.
How we valued it: converted at the sale-day rate, premium included.
2. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R Stromlinienwagen: about $53.9 million
The streamlined Grand Prix car that raced in the 1954 season. RM Sotheby’s sold chassis 00009/54 in Stuttgart on 1 February 2025 for 51.155 million euros, a record for a Grand Prix car at auction.
How we valued it: euro price with premium, converted at about the sale-day rate.
3. 1962 Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO: $51.7 million
A one-off Ferrari with the 4.0-litre 330 engine in a 250 GTO body. It sold at RM Sotheby’s New York on 13 November 2023 for $51.7 million, the top Ferrari result we found.
How we valued it: premium included, per RM Sotheby’s.
4. Ferrari 250 GTO (3413GT): $48.4 million
Ferrari built just 36 GTOs, and each has a documented history. This one sold at Monterey in August 2018 for $48.4 million, an auction record until the Mercedes sales.
How we valued it: premium included, per RM Sotheby’s.
5. 1964 Shelby Daytona Coupe (CSX2300): $42.9 million
The third of six Daytona Coupes, and the only one that Carroll Shelby owned himself. Gooding Christie’s sold it at Pebble Beach in August 2026 for $42.905 million on a $39 million hammer. It is the most expensive American car ever sold at auction, passing the 1935 Duesenberg SSJ at $22 million in 2018.
How we valued it: hammer plus premium, per Gooding Christie’s.
6. 2026 Ferrari Luce “Tailor Made” (Chassis 0): about $40 million
The first production chassis of Ferrari’s first electric car, sold at RM Sotheby’s Monterey in August 2026 for a reported $40 million. The buyer’s premium was waived and the money went to the Ferrari Foundation’s education work. It is by far the most expensive new car sold at auction. We found this price in one news report, so treat it as reported.
How we valued it: reported price, premium waived; a single source.
7. White Ferrari 250 GTO (3729GT): $38.5 million
The only 250 GTO finished in factory white. Mecum sold it in Kissimmee, Florida, in January 2026 for $38.5 million on a $35 million hammer. Sources differ on the chassis number, which we give as 3729GT.
How we valued it: hammer plus premium, per Mecum.
8. Ferrari 250 GTO (3851GT): $38.1 million
Bonhams sold chassis 3851GT at Carmel in August 2014 for $38.1 million.
How we valued it: premium included, per Bonhams.
9. 1964 Ferrari 250 LM (5893): about $36.3 million
The mid-engined car that followed the GTO. It sold at RM Sotheby’s Paris sale in February 2025 for about $36.3 million.
How we valued it: premium included, per RM Sotheby’s.
10. 1957 Ferrari 335 S: about $35.7 million
A V12 sports racer of 1957. Artcurial sold it in Paris in February 2016 for about $35.7 million.
How we valued it: premium included, per Artcurial.
Records set in 2025 and 2026
Five of the ten results are from 2025 and 2026: the W196 R and 250 LM in February 2025, the white GTO in January 2026, and the Shelby Daytona and Ferrari Luce in August 2026. The Shelby is the record for an American car, and the Luce is the highest price for a new car.
Outside the top ten, a 2025 Ferrari Daytona SP3 “Tailor Made” sold for $26 million in August 2025, a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Competizione made about $25.3 million at Pebble Beach the same month, and a Gordon Murray S1 LM made about $20.6 million in November 2025.
What drives these prices
- Race history. Factory racers beat road cars.
- Ferrari 1957 to 1964. Six of the ten are Ferraris from this period.
- Single chassis. One car, one buyer, no substitute.
- Charity. The Luce sold for the Ferrari Foundation, with the premium waived.
- Private collectors. A handful of buyers worldwide can pay these prices, and a rare lot makes them compete.
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What is the most expensive car ever sold at auction?
The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, sold for 135 million euros (about $143 million) in May 2022.
What is the most expensive Ferrari sold at auction?
The 1962 Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO, at $51.7 million in November 2023.
What is the most expensive American car sold at auction?
The 1964 Shelby Daytona Coupe CSX2300, at $42.9 million in August 2026.
What is the most expensive new car sold at auction?
The 2026 Ferrari Luce “Tailor Made” Chassis 0, reportedly $40 million in August 2026.
What is the cheapest car on this list?
The 1957 Ferrari 335 S, at about $35.7 million.
How we put this list together
We ranked cars by the verified auction price, using results published by the auction houses and records of the sales. Prices include buyer’s premium unless noted, are approximate and change as new lots sell.
Keep reading
- Levels of Wealth (Car Edition)
- 7 Assets Rich People Use to Preserve Wealth Forever
- 10 Luxuries You Can Only Give Yourself
Last updated: October 2026.
