The Top 10 Most Expensive Cars at International Auctions in 2024

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to uncover the Top 10 most expensive cars sold at international auctions this year. Remarkably, 9 out of 10 were sold at events held in America, yet 8 of them are European, and half are Ferraris. Let’s explore the ranking:

1 - 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder. Mecum, Kissimmee, January 13, 2024

The chassis with serial number 4137 GT represents the last Ferrari SWB California Spyder built. Previously owned by the American collector Richard Workman, it participated in the most important overseas Concours d'Elegance, such as Amelia Island and the Cavallino Classic. It was sold for $17,875,000 (€17,026,250). Click here for the full report.

2 - 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider. RM Sotheby’s, Monterey, August 18, 2024

The irony of fate: the second most expensive car of 2024 is the very first 250 GT SWB California Spider ever built, the car that Ferrari chose to showcase at the 1960 Geneva Motor Show, chassis number 1795 GT. It belonged to German footballer Michael Ballack, who purchased it on the advice of Michael Schumacher in 2008. It was sold for $17,055,000 (€16,245,000). Click here for the full report.

3 - 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider. Gooding & Company, Monterey, August 17, 2024

Crowned Best of Show at Villa d’Este in 1996 and First in Class at Pebble Beach in 2000, it belonged to collectors of the caliber of Fred Simeone, Lukas Huni, and Oscar Davis. It was stolen in the summer of 2022 and recovered by the FBI, who returned it to the insurance company after reimbursing the previous owner. It was sold for $14,030,000 (€13,364,000). Click here for the full report

4 - 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport. RM Sotheby’s, Monterey, August 18, 2024

Another interesting case was the Ferrari 410 Sport from 1955. As the first of four ever made, this car was driven by Carroll Shelby at the Palm Springs Road Races in 1956. Estimated at over $15 million, it sold for $12,985,000 (€12,369,500), a bargain considering its historic significance. Click here for the full report.

5 - 1903 Mercedes-Simplex 60 HP “Roi Des Belges”. Gooding & Company, Amelia Island, February 29, 2024

Purchased by the editor who founded the Daily Mail, Alfred Harmsworth it was customised with “Roi Des Belges” bodywork. Used during the 1903 Nice Speed Week, it was then loaned to the Beaulieu Museum for over half a century without ever changing hands! Harmsworth's heirs decided to bring it to auction after 121 years and it did not disappoint: sold for $12,105,000 (€11,530,250). Click here for the full report.

6 - 2014 Pagani Zonda LM Roadster. RM Sotheby’s, Dubai, December 1, 2024

This artwork from Horacio Pagani was part of the customization program, or rather "unicization", called "Grandi Complicazioni" (a name that says it all), made almost entirely of carbon and had only covered 9,604 km. Sold at the beginning of December it became the most expensive road car of the 21st century ever sold at auction for $11,086,250 (€10,560,000). Click here for the full report.

7 - 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta. RM Sotheby’s, Paris, January 31, 2024

Finished in yellow and with a clear history, born with the most powerful engine, the type 168B that few specimens had, raced in the 1960 12 Hours of Sebring, and finished second at the Nassau Speed Week behind Stirling Moss in his famous dark blue and white 250 SWB from Rob Walker. In its second life as a collector's model, it has appeared in competitions, and in 2014 it went to auction but remained unsold In January it was sold for €10,158,125 ($9,675,750). Click here for the full report.

8 - 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Alloy" Gullwing. RM Sotheby’s, The Junkyard, October 26, 2024

Only 29 of these lightweight models were made for racing, and this one is the number 26. Originally owned by Luigi Chinetti, the Ferrari importer and three-time Le Mans winner, Rudi Klein bought it directly from him in 1976. The car had remained in his warehouse ever since. It was sold for $9,355,000 (€8,651,250), making it the third most expensive post-war Mercedes ever auctioned. Click here for the full report.

9 - 1979 Ferrari 312 T4 ex-Jody Scheckter. RM Sotheby’s, Monaco, May 11, 2024

Jody Scheckter at the wheel of this single seater won the F1 World Championship in 1979, the last one won with Enzo Ferrari when he was still alive. It was purchased in 1982 directly from Ferrari by Scheckter himself and has always remained in his collection. It was sold for €7,655,000 ($8,322,000). Click here for the full report.

10 - 1969 Ford GT40 Lightweight. Mecum, Monterey, August 17, 2024

One of the most fascinating cars of Monterey Car Week, featuring an original racing engine, chassis, gearbox, and transmission, along with a lightweight body. It only lacked the Gulf livery to make it perfect (in terms of reaching $10 million). It was sold for $7,865,000 (€7,491,500). Click here for the full report.