In this piece we will take a look at the top 20 most expensive cars of all time. For more cars, head on over to Top 5 Most Expensive Cars of All Time.
The automotive industry is one of the most lucrative sectors in the world. Cars have become the backbone of modern day living and have aided the growth of modern day civilization. This is due to the fact that they enable human cities to be larger as people are able to commute for longer distances quickly and easily. At the same time, cars have also led to the growth in global emissions, and the industry itself is also undergoing a change where companies have now started to focus on developing electric vehicles.
Additionally, the human need for thrill seeking and status signaling has also had an impact on this industry. Modern day cars are capable of accelerating and traveling at speeds that Henry Ford would consider witchcraft. The world's fastest car right now is the SSC Tuatera, which is a sports car manufactured by SSC North America. The car's non-street version has a stunning horsepower of 2,200 hp, and it achieved a top speed of 295 miles per hour in May 2022. However, this is not the fastest speed achieved by a car, as this honor is reserved for a special variant of the Bugatti Chiron. A pre-production variant of the car became the only non jet engine powered car to break the 300 miles per hour record in 2019 and since then it is the only car to have done so.
So, how big is the global supercar industry, and are they really some of the most expensive cars in the world? Well, on the former front, there are a variety of research reports that make an attempt to analyze the market's worth. For instance, one report from GII Research estimates that the market was worth $22.7 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.20% between 2023 and 2029 to sit at an estimated $37.3 billion by the end of the forecast period. Within the market, Europe was the largest segment, accounting for more than a third of the market with a value of $7.6 billion. Another report from Market Reports World has somewhat similar estimates. It believes that the market was worth $17 billion in 2022 and will grow through a CAGR of 3.72% until 2028.
Just as everyday cars are seeing a shift towards electric vehicles, so is the supercar market. One of the more popular supercars is the Tesla Roadster. The Roadster is a crucial part in Tesla's history as the firm used it to gain popularity among users. After all, who doesn't like a supercar, right? The Roadster was one of the first electric cars to accelerate to 100 kilometers per hour in less than four seconds. As if this weren't enough, it isn't a Bugatti that's the fastest car in the world in terms of acceleration. In fact, this honor belongs to the Tesla Model S Plaid - the fastest car in the world to accelerate to 60 miles per hour. The Plaid also almost gives the Bugatti Chiron a run for its money on the quarter mile track. While the Chiron covers a quarter mile at 9.1 seconds, the Plaid nearly matches this at 9.23 seconds. Keep in mind that this Chiron is the upgraded version launched in 2021, and the Plaid already beats the first model released in 2019.
Like we've focused on in this post so far, a lot of attention about the most expensive cars in the world is focused on supercars, However, you'd be surprised to learn that the classical car market is also quite valuable. A research report from Credence Research outlines that the global classic cars market was worth $31.1 billion in 2021 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.7% to sit at $51.3 billion by the end of 2028.
But how is the expensive car market doing these days? Well, demand is booming, when we look at auctions. And for the industry, executives of Ferrari N.V. (NYSE:RACE), which dominates this list as you'll find out below, shared the following in their latest earnings call:
Now let’s talk about our strong first quarter results that I’m sure you have already noticed on the projected chart. I’m very pleased to highlight the following three key data; revenues at €1.4 billion, up 20.5% versus the prior year; adjusted EBITDA at nearly €540 million with a 37.6% margin; industrial free cash flow generation at approximately €270 million. Our order book already extends into 2025 on the back of a continuously strong demand. We have just opened the order collection for the newly launched Ferrari Roma Spider. And today we are also pleased to announce, the long-awaited reopening for the Purosangue with deliveries due in 2026. Further testament to the strength of demand for our cash is the continued dynamism of the Ferrari pre-owned market, which translates into sound residual values.
With these details in mind, let's take a look at some of the most expensive cars of all time.
Top 20 Most Expensive Cars of All Time
Marcin Krzyzak/Shutterstock.com
Our Methodology
To compile our list of the most expensive cars of all time, we cast a wide net and studied seven reliable sources (1,2,3,4,5,6,7) to ensure all expensive cars ever sold caught attention. Then, the top twenty most expensive cars ever sold are listed below.
Top 20 Most Expensive Cars of All Time
20. Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider
Auction Price: $19.8 million
The Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider is a classic. It first made an appearance almost a hundred years ago, and it achieved several races wins to create demand among luxury car fans. The car's novelty, which also makes it one of the most expensive cars of all time, also stems from the fact that only 32 chassis were ever made.
19. 1994 McLaren F1 ‘LM-Specification’
Auction Price: $19.8 million
The McLaren F1 is eternal in supercar history. It is considered to be the first modern day supercar, and despite being launched more than two decades back, the F1 is still the fastest naturally aspirated car in the world. The F1 LM is a special variant of the F1 built for track specifications.
18. 1995 McLaren F1
Auction Price: $20.47 million
The 1995 McLaren F1 is a novelty F1 variant with only 64 vehicles ever built. This car was sold for a whopping $20.47 million in 2021 right as the coronavirus pandemic had made its mark on the global economy. The price tag also made it one of the world's most expensive cars.
17. 1963 Aston Martin DP215
Auction Price: $21.46 million
The 1963 Aston Martin DP215 is clear proof that the older you are, the more valuable you become. Built in 1963, the car was a prototype that was built for high speed and long distance racing.
16. 1955 Jaguar D-Type
Auction Price: $21.78 million
The 1955 Jaguar D-Type is a historic car in racing history since it beat Mercedes and Ferrari in the Le Mans race in 1956. Only one hundred 1955 Jaguar D-Type chassis were ever built.
15. 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider
Auction Price: $22 million
The 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider was a long distance sports car built in 1955. It is one of the most expensive cars ever sold since only four were built - making them a rare treat for the super rich.
14. 1935 Duesenberg SSJ
Auction Price: $22 million
The 1935 Duesenberg SSJ is one of the rarest cars ever built. Only two vehicles have been produced and has a short wheelbase. Both vehicles were driven by actors - and what else is really needed to make it one of the most expensive cars ever?
13. 1956 Ferrari 290MM
Auction Price: $22 million
The 1956 Ferrari 290MM stands in sharp contrast to the old age designs of the Duesenberg. Like other Ferraris, it was also built as a race car.
12. 1956 Aston Martin DBR1
Auction Price: $22.55 million
The 1956 Aston Martin DBR1 is as novel as it gets in the race car world. It was the only Aston Martin in the 1950s that won both the Le Mans and the World Sports Car Championship. Some would say the DBR1 is blessed - and its price tag does suggest so.
11. 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale
Auction Price: $26.4 million
The 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale is a work of art. It was built as a racing beast, with disk brakes and a five speed axle.
10. 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4S NART Spider
Auction Price: $27.5 million
The 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4S NART Spider claimed to have a top speed of 167 miles per hour all the way back in 1967. It is a two seat vehicle and is one of the most expensive vehicles in the world since a mere ten were ever built.
9. Rolls-Royce Boat Tail
Auction Price: $28 million
The only Rolls-Royce on our list is the Boat Tail. And naturally, it is the youngest car on our list and one that is also street legal.
8. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM
Auction Price: $28.05
Another 1956 Ferrari 290 MM has been sold for millions of dollars. This was the first sale of its kind and took place in 2015.
7. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196
Auction Price: $29.6 million
The 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 is a Formula One racing car. It won nine out of 12 races, including two driver's championships.
6. 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti
Auction Price: $35.71 million
The 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti came after the 290 MM. It was a new model aimed at solidifying Ferrari's dominance over Maserati. Its price tag, making it one of the most expensive cars ever sold, suggests that it was successful.
