[Gallery] These Vintage And Antique Cars Sold For Millions At Auction
Automotive enthusiasts have created some amazing automobiles in the last century, breaking the boundaries of what's possible in speed, design, and engineering. Things have gone so far that some boxes on four wheels fetch prices in the millions on various auctions around the world. But, hey, as long as there are enthusiasts ready to pay, there will be amazing automobiles to buy. We compiled a list of the most expensive vintage and antique cars in history.
1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 – $29,6 Million
The Mercedes-Benz W196 provides a sneak peek into the history of Formula 1, showing a lightweight construction, streamlined body, and a mightily powerful 2.5-liter inline-8 engine (very common at the time) producing 256 HP.
The W196 was extremely aero-efficient, having no spoilers on the body, like every other F1 car of that era. The result was a top speed of over 300 km/h (186 mph), a staggering number in the 50s'. With the help of certain Juan Manuel Fangio, the W196 proved to be one of the most formidable F1 cars in history, winning the 1954 German and Swiss Grand Prix races.
1956 Ferrari 290 MM - $28.05 Million
The Ferrari 290 MM is another amazing racing car from the 50s, finishing on the podium at the Mille Miglia and 1000 KM of Buenos Aires races. The car is also significant because Stirling Moss, one of the greatest racing drivers of all time, drove it to victory at the Nassau Trophy.
Moreover, the 290 MM was one of the most powerful cars of the era, packing a 3.5-liter V12 engine producing 320 HP with the help of three Weber twin-choke 46 DCF3 carburetors. It also sounded like every racing car engine should, and propelled the vehicle to 280 km/h (174 mph). Today, the most pristine example fetched a price of $28.05 million at an RM Sotheby's auction.
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 S N.A.R.T. Spider - $27.5 Million
The Ferrari 275 GTB succeeded the 250 GTO as Ferrari's high-end offering. It packed a brand-new 3.3-liter V12 with quad camshafts, resulting in 320 HP at 7,700 rpm. This particular N.A.R.T. Spider was one of the fastest open-top vehicles of the era, topping at 255 km/h (159 mph). It could also sprint to 60mph in only 5.5 seconds, and had a slick-shifting 5-speed manual.
Interestingly, the N.A.R.T. Spider that sold for $27.5 million at an RM Sotheby's auction is only one of ten examples ever made, making it one of the rarest vehicles in the world. According to many, the current owner of the 275 GTB/4*S N.A.R.T. Spider is Aston Martin F1 owner, Lawrence Stroll.
1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale - $26.4 Million
If you are not a fan of Spider open-top designs, then maybe the 275 GTB/C Speciale might interest you? It's the coupe version of the N.A.R.T. Spider, looking perhaps even better in this form.
Moreover, the Tipo 563 chassis it was built on was extremely lightweight, thanks to the aluminum construction. Ferrari also employed disc brakes at all four wheels, and an independent suspension all around. The package was so nicely-balanced that the 275 GTB/C is still the highest-ranked front-engine car in Le Mans history, finishing third overall on the 1965 edition. Recently, a pristine example fetched a price of $26.4 million at an RM Sotheby's auction.
1956 Aston Martin DBR1 - $22.55 Million
The Aston Martin DBR1 looks like a classic British sports car of the 50s, with swooping lines, large fenders, and a large grille at the front. But its significance has more to do with the racing success, especially the racing drivers that pushed it to the max. Notable names include Carroll Shelby, Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, and Roy Salvadori.
The DBR1 followed the British lightweight mantra, weighing only 1,765 lb (801 kg). Hence, the relatively small 2.5-liter (later 3.0-liter) inline-6 didn't have a hard time pushing it to dizzying speeds. As a result, the DBR1 won the 1000km of Nürburgring twice, in 1958 and 1959.
1935 Duesenberg SSJ - $22 Million
Most young readers probably don't know about Duesenberg, but the company was by far the most influential in the automotive industry's beginnings. The brand even produced the USA's first supercar, named the SSJ, which competed favorably with European competitors. Namely, the open-top beast packed a mammoth 420 CID (6.9-liter) inline-8 engine, which produced staggering 400 HP thanks to an additional supercharger.
The Duesenberg SSJ was an amazingly quick car for the era, making the 0-60mph sprint in only 7.8 seconds and achieving a top speed of 150 mph (241 km/h), despite the terrible aerodynamics. It's no coincidence, then, that a certain Gary Cooper had it in his collection.
1955 Jaguar D-Type - $21.78 Million
The Jaguar D-Type is arguably one of the most streamlined and most beautiful vintage racers. Even more importantly, though, it won the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans with Ecurie Ecosse. The D-Type is a very rare sight - there is essentially one vehicle left in the original form.
Behind the sports car's success is a 3.4-liter DOHC inline-6 engine, good for 250 HP thanks to the three Weber 45 DCO3 carburetors. Moreover, the D-Type features an independent rear suspension and an aerodynamic body, extracting the most out of the engine. Thanks to its winning pedigree and rarity, the Jaguar D-Type fetched $21.78 million at an RM Sotheby's auction.
1963 Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition Prototype - $21.46 Million
The Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition Prototype is the successor to the DBR1. This time, the British firm decided to use a coupe body, giving the car much better aerodynamics. The shape is so sleek, in fact, that the DP215 clocked 198.6 mph (320 km/h) on the Mulsanne Straight, an outstanding number for the era.
Under the bonnet, the DP215 features a 4.0-liter inline-6 engine with three Weber 50 DCO carburetors, producing 327 HP. The supercar also features a 5-speed manual transmission from David Brown and a double-wishbone rear suspension. Meanwhile, the body of the DP215 was made of Hiduminium, an ultra-high-strength aluminum alloy.
1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider - $19.8 Million
With its swooping lines, ultra-long hood, and graceful appearance, the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cars ever made. The exquisite Italian convertible is a very rare sight today, but it was also rare when it launched - Alfa Romeo has built only 12 examples.
Although not a high-performance car, the 8C 2900B Lungo Spider still offered good performance for the era - under the long bonnet lies a dual-supercharged 2.9-liter inline-8 engine producing 180 HP. The car also featured an independent front suspension and hydraulic friction dampers.
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione - $17.99 Million
So we get back to another Ferrari, this time the elegant-looking 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione from 1959. Like most cars from the brand of that era, the 250 GT was primarily built for the race track, but it was also a good road car.
Notably, the super-roadster featured a 3.0-liter V12 under the bonnet, paired with three Weber 40 DLC6 carburetors, producing 275 HP at 7,000 rpm. Perhaps even more important for an open-top car, it is one of the best-sounding engines of that era. A rare sight today, the 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione's price continues to rise, so don't be shocked if you see a sample selling for more than $17.99 million soon.
