Rare classic cars are what dreams are made of. Uniquely designed and distinctively gorgeous, they boast an impressive pedigree and, of course, an insanely high price. Canada’s RM Auctions recently compiled a list of the 10 most expensive cars sold at auctions over the past 20 years or so. The combined value of these exclusive automobiles amounts to nearly US$100 million!
Top honors go to a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa which was actually sold by RM Auctions last May. Diehard collectors around the world went totally crazy for this fiery Italian, raising the bids to an astronomical US$12,402,500 (€9,020,000)!
Here is the complete Top 10 (figures in US dollars):
1 – 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa: $12,402,500 (RM Auctions and Sotheby’s, May 2009)
Called Testa Rossa (red head) because of its red cylinder head cover, this Ferrari replaced the 500 TRC in auto races. The distinctive pontoon-like front fenders were penned by Pininfarina and executed by Modena-based coachbuilder Scaglietti. The priciest Testa Rossa in the world bears chassis number 0714TR. It’s the fourth of only 22 units built during 1957-1958 and the second to be sold to an independent driver.
2 – 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder: $10,894,400 (RM Auctions and Sotheby’s, May 2008)
Designed for the U.S. market, the California Spyder is the convertible variant of the Ferrari 250 GT. After producing 45 long-wheelbase units in 1957, Ferrari introduced a short-wheelbase model at the 1960 Geneva Motor Show. About 55 of these were ever built, including this one which used to belong to actor James Coburn, who starred in "The Magnificent Seven" and "The Great Escape", among other movies. Under the hood is a 3.0-litre (2,953 cc), triple-carburetor V12 engine that cranks out 280 horsepower.
Top honors go to a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa which was actually sold by RM Auctions last May. Diehard collectors around the world went totally crazy for this fiery Italian, raising the bids to an astronomical US$12,402,500 (€9,020,000)!
Here is the complete Top 10 (figures in US dollars):
1 – 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa: $12,402,500 (RM Auctions and Sotheby’s, May 2009)
 |
Called Testa Rossa (red head) because of its red cylinder head cover, this Ferrari replaced the 500 TRC in auto races. The distinctive pontoon-like front fenders were penned by Pininfarina and executed by Modena-based coachbuilder Scaglietti. The priciest Testa Rossa in the world bears chassis number 0714TR. It’s the fourth of only 22 units built during 1957-1958 and the second to be sold to an independent driver.
2 – 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder: $10,894,400 (RM Auctions and Sotheby’s, May 2008)
 |
Designed for the U.S. market, the California Spyder is the convertible variant of the Ferrari 250 GT. After producing 45 long-wheelbase units in 1957, Ferrari introduced a short-wheelbase model at the 1960 Geneva Motor Show. About 55 of these were ever built, including this one which used to belong to actor James Coburn, who starred in "The Magnificent Seven" and "The Great Escape", among other movies. Under the hood is a 3.0-litre (2,953 cc), triple-carburetor V12 engine that cranks out 280 horsepower.