Most Expensive Cars Sold At An Auction

Updated: Tuesday, July 2, 2013, 14:57 [IST]

An auction might not be the ideal place to bargain for a car. Have you ever been a part of a car auction? If yes, do let us know about your experience.

On the other hand, have you ever wondered about the kind of money that is involved in a niche car auction?

If you ever decide to get hold of a car at an auction, get ready to spend a premium, as the auctioneer charges a fee called a buyer's premium, anywhere between 5% to 20% in addition to the selling price of the car. Moreover, sometimes you are required to pay a seller's premium as well.

Drivespark cracks down on some of the most expensive cars sold at an auction till date. Be it auctioneers such as Goodings & Company or RM Auctions, listed in the photo gallery below are some of the most exotic cars to face the gavel.

1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

The Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa or better known as the Ferrari TR, is a race car that ruled the tracks in the 1950s and 60s.

Fact - Only thirty-four 250 Testa Rossas were built, from 1956 through 1961.

Auction Price - $16,390,000
Auctioneer - Goodings & Company
Date of Auction - August 21, 2011

1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Roadster

The Mercedes-Benz 540K was manufactured from 1935 to 1940. This was one of the most wanted cars of its time.

Fact - Jack Warner of Warner Brothers film studios owned a Mercedes-Benz 540K.

Auction Price - $11,770,000
Auctioneer - Goodings & Company
Date of Auction - August 19, 2012

1960 Ferrari 250 GT California LWB Competizione Spyder

Ferrari had developed this model especially for North American markets. Hollywood actor James Coburn once owned this beauty.

Fact - 250 GT California Spyder LWB was a rare model. Only 50 were ever made.

Auction Price - $11,275,000
Auctioneer - Goodings & Company
Date of Auction - August 19, 2012

1968 Ford GT40

If you like high performance American-British cars, the Ford GT40 has to be on your list. This car was produced between 1964 to 1969 to beat the Ferrari's.

Fact - Won the 24 hours of Le Mans four consecutive times.

Auction Price - $11,000,000
Auctioneer - RM Auctions
Date of Auction - August 17, 2012

1931 Duesenberg Model J Long-Wheelbase Coupe

Duesenberg Automobile & Motors Company, Inc was active from 1913 to 1937. The model J was produced between 1928 to 1937.

Fact - Duesenberg cars were entirely built by hand.

Auction Price - $10,340,000
Auctioneer - RM Auctions
Date of Auction - August 17, 2012

1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe

The Bugatti Royale was meant for Royalty. It is about 20% longer, and more than 25% heavier than the new age Rolls Royce Phantom.

Fact - Bugatti manufactured only six cars and managed to sell only three during its time. The 'Kellner' was the fifth car.

Auction Price - $9,800,000
Auctioneer - Christie's
Date of Auction - November 17, 1987

1962 Ferrari 330 TRI/LM Spider

Fact - This Ferrari model is the only 4-litre Testa Rossa built, it also is the last Testa Rossa and the last front-engined sports racing car built by Ferrari.

Auction Price - $9,281,250
Auctioneer - RM Auctions
Date of Auction - May 20, 2007

1955 Ferrari 410S

Fact - Only four examples of the 410 sport were built by Ferrari in 1955. It was purely developed for thenotorious Carrera Panamericana road race .

Auction Price - $8,250,000
Auctioneer - RM Auctions
Date of Auction - August 17, 2012

1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante Coupe

Fact - this legendary design was the vision of Jean Bugatti, son of founder Ettore Bugatti. Only 17 Atalante cars were made. The name Atalante was derived from a heroine of Greek mythology, Atalanta.

Auction Price - $7,920,000
Auctioneer - Gooding & Company
Date of Auction - August 17, 2008

1929 Bentley Blower

"There's no replacement for displacement" and the Bentley 4½ Litre was full of this character.

Fact - The supercharged version of the 4½ Litre was known as the 'Blower Bentley' which produced 175 hp for the touring model and 240 hp for the racing version.