A certain 1963 Ferrari fetched a record-breaking $70 million just this month. Hint: it’s one of the most coveted vintage cars in collectors’ auction circles.
Vintage cars hold a special place in the hearts of collectors. When it comes to fetching the highest price, though, few suspects regularly top the list: Ferrari, Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, and more Ferrari.
Every so often, the sale of these machines at public and private auctions alike draw the interest of fat-pocketed fans near and far. We may even see this list gain a new #1 soon, as news has it RM Sotheby has a 1962 Ferrari GTO that’s ripe for the picking at Monterey.
If you thought supercars were expensive, wait till you see how well they age.
#10: 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider - $19.8 million
One of the earliest sportscars to exist, this Spider was considered top-of-the-line back in the 30s. It is made rare from its limited 32-model release, seven of which are Touring Spiders with longer chassis. This auctioned model happens to be the only one to change hands in the last 20 years.
#9. 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale - $26.4 million
Jointly designed by Pininfarina and Scaglietti, this one-of-three is even rarer than the #1 on this list. It is powered by a 320-hp V12 engine connected to a good ol' five-speed manual transaxle transmission.
#8. 1955 Jaguar D-Type XKD 501 - $21.8 million
Shortly after its release, this Jag seized the '56 Le Mans. This particular model belonged to the Scottish team Ecurie Ecosse, and remains the only Le Mans-winning C- or D-Type to stay practically unchanged since its glory days.
#7. 1956 Aston Martin DBR1/1 - $22.6 million
Fun fact: This is the first of only five DBR1s to be made, and it conquered Nürburgring three years after production! Roy Salvadori, Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, and Carroll Shelby have all raced in it.
#6. 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 S N.A.R.T Spyder - $27.5 million
Luigi Chinetti (owner of North American Racing Team) owned all 10 of these special Spyders - and he initially ordered 25. Chassis number 10709 was auctioned after regular use for 45 years. Talk about vintage.
#5. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM - $28.1 million
Long-time F1 fans would remember early champion James Manuel Fangio. The very same Fangio placed fourth in Mille Miglia, braving the rain in this convertible. Lucky for the current owner, its racing lineage means this car was maintained well - even given an engine overhaul - before it reached his garage.
4. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 - $29.6 million
Fangio also got behind the wheel of #4 on our list, as did Hans Herrmann and Karl Kling. Of the 14 manufactured, only 10 survive. This #006/54 is the only one in private collection, the others belonging to the company and museums.
#3. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO 3851 GT - $38.1 million
Made to rival the likes of Shelby Cobra, Jaguar E-Type, and Aston Martin DP214, this unsuspecting racing model hides a 296-hp 3.0-liter V12 under the bonnet. It starred in the World Sportscar Championship from 1962 to 1964. Only 33 exist, yet they are make one of the most coveted vintage cars in history.
#2. 1957 Ferrari 335 S - $35.6 million
Boasting numerous prolific racers and races under its belt, this one-of-four received an upgrade before turning heads at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing fourth in the Swedish GP, second in the Venezuelan GP, and topping the 1958 Cuban Grand Prix. It now houses a 4.1-litre engine, on top of the precious racing memories that earned it this sky-high auction price.
#1. 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO - $70 million
Now, this one may have only crossed the private auction block, but it reached a price too staggering to not be mentioned! The last sale of this league was also on Tour de France-winning 250 GTO, fetching $52 million in 2013. American CEO David MacNeil made news earlier this month when he paid a record-breaking amount for this 4153 GT, eclipsing the previous model by a heathy $18 million. MacNeil a well-known collector with a penchant for Prancing Horses, but this Ferrari 250 GTO is a special catch - having been hailed "the motoring market's equivalent of Van Gogh's "Sunflowers". You can expect to see it in the world's most prestigious vintage races and rallies.
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Source: JBR Capital