SLIDESHOW
The most expensive cars ever sold at auction
T he classic car market has remained buoyant over the past few years. We’ve even seen Ford Sierra Cosworths sell for over £100,000. But if that seems eye-watering, the top end of the market is another world, with millions of pounds, dollars or euros changing hands. So here are the most expensive cars yet sold at auction. Suddenly those old Fords seem like a bargain…
ALISDAIR SUTTIE
Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé €135,000,000
In May, this SLR became by far the most valuable car ever sold, at a private auction held by RM Sotheby’s. Just two 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupés were made by Mercedes-Benz, taking their name from the firm’s chief engineer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut. The car was designed as a road-going version of the W196R grand prix car (see below), with a 3.0-litre straight-eight engine allowing it to reach 180mph. Sale proceeds will be used to establish the Mercedes-Benz Fund, which aims to “provide educational and research scholarships in the areas of environmental science and decarbonisation for young people”. Who bought it remains secret, but the bid was placed on their behalf by Simon Kidston, head of historic car specialist Kidston SA.