2014 has been a great for classic automobiles, with many ultra-rare cars hitting the auction block, spurring massive interest and changing owners for millions of dollars. In the United States alone, the biggest market for cars cars, collectors spent no less than $1.3 billion in 2014, up from $1.2 billion in 2013.
This year also saw no less than 19 classic cars->ke503 sell for more than $5 million, yet another record for the industry. Not surprising, the top 10 is dominated by Ferrari,->ke252 with the nine most expensive cars wearing the Prancing Horse badge. What's more, Ferrari also established a new world record as far as auctions go, with a 1962 250 GTO finding a new owner for $38,115,000, smashing the previous record established in 2013 by a 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 Formula 1 car by nearly $10 million.
In all, the 20 best-selling classics of 2014 fetched no less than $212.5 million, $144.3 million of which were achieved by 14 Ferraris. The other six vehicles that sold for more than $4.9 million include two Ford GT40s, a Delahaye 135, an Aston Martin DB3S, a McLaren F1 GTR Longtail and a Jaguar D-Type. The Ford GT40 Prototype that sold for $7 million on April 12th in Houston, Texas, is the most expensive American car auctioned in 2014.
Click past the jump to learn which Ferrari models were the most expensive at auctions this year.
Why it matters
It's no longer a mystery that classic Ferrari cars are extremely valuable nowadays, with several models fetching millions of dollars in tip-top shape. 2014 comes to prove just that and does so by listing no less 14 Ferraris among the 20 most-expensive vehicles auctioned throughout the year. With these 14 sports and race cars fetching in excess of $144 million and with the 250 GTO having established yet another world record at $38.1 million, it's safe to say Ferrari will remain the king of classic car auctions for many years to come.
Top 20 Most-Expensive Cars Auctioned in 2014
1. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO - $38.1 million
2. 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale - $26.4 million
3. 1954 Ferrari 375-Plus Spider Competizione - $18.4 million
4. 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider - $15.1 million
5. 1964 Ferrari 250 LM - $11.5 million
6. 1967 Ferrari GTB/4 - $10.1 million
7. 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder - $8.8 million
8. 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C - $7.8 million
9. 1953 Ferrari 250 Mille Miglia Berlinetta - $7.8 million
10. 1964 Ford GT40 Prototype - $7 million
11. 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster - $6.9 million
12. 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Speciale Aerodinamica - $6.8 million
13. 1954 Ferrari 250 GT Series 1 Cabriolet - $6.8 million
14. 1939 Delahaye 135 Court Torpedo Roadster - $6.6 million
15. 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet - $6.4 million
16. 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Series 1 - $6.1 million
17. 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet - $5.6 million
18. 1956 Aston Martin DB3S - $5.5 million
19. 1997 McLaren F1 GTR Longtain - $5.2 million
20. 1955 Jaguar D-Type - $4.9 million
Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta Sells For $38 Million At Bonhams Auction
The Ferrari 250 GTO that has become the most expensive car sold at auction after changing owners for $38.1 million was built in 1962 as one of only 39 such Ferraris completed in the early 1960s. Powered by a 3.0-liter, V-12 engine rated at 300 horsepower, this specific 250 GTO was driven to a second-place overall finish in the 1962 Tour de France by Jo Schlesser and Henry Oreiller.
Owned by a single family for the past 49 years, the 250 GTO wearing chassis and engine number 3851GT is also one of the most often raced cars of its kind, contributing to the nameplate's huge racing success between 1962 and 1968.