Top 30 cars sold at auction in 2024

Counting down the biggest-selling cars at auction in 2024

2024 may have been a turbulent time for all classic car sales, but there were still plenty of cars changing hands at the top end of the market.

To make it into the top 30 auction prices of 2024, a car needed to sell for more than $4 million (£3.16 million).

There were some cars that sold after auction for more than that, but we have only included cars that sold when the hammer fell.

Ferrari remains the dominant name in the top 30, with 17 entries. However, there are signs that newer cars are making more inroads with the likes of the Ferrari Enzo and F50, plus a brace of Paganis.

The USA also continues to be the centre of auction sales, because only four cars in this list were sold outside North America.

All prices are from Glenmarch for cars sold at auction and quoted in US Dollars and Pounds Sterling

=28. 1953 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupé by Vignale ($4,295,000/£3,395,000)

Proving that early Ferraris are always in demand by serious collectors, this 1953 250 Europa Coupé with bodywork by Vignale sold strongly with RM Sotheby’s in Miami, back in March.

The coupé’s pretty lines and striking two-tone paintwork made it stand out, and it is one of just three 250s to be finished with the bodywork and use the 3-litre Colombo V12 engine.

This car’s appeal was further enhanced by it being used as the 1953 Paris motor show car.

Following a full rebuild by Patrick Ottis, this 250 Europa was sold with Ferrari Classiche certification to prove its matching-numbers status. It also came with a number of high-profile awards to its credit.

=28. 2003 Ferrari Enzo ($4,295,000/£3,395,000)

This Enzo was notable for achieving the highest Ferrari price in the RM Sotheby’s sale of the Dare To Dream Collection in Toronto, Canada.

In the overall scheme of 2024, however, its sale price puts it in equal 28th place.

This Enzo was an early car from the production run and the first to arrive in North America.

It was also the car used by Ferrari to show off its new Enzo at the 2003 Cavallino Classic in Palm Beach, so this car has some bragging rights.

Unusually, this example came fitted with a European-spec ECU when new, though this was later replaced to a US version at no cost for the first owner.

It was sold with a recent service, all records, original luggage and manuals, plus a spare set of wheels with tyres date-stamped 2002.

=28. 1976 Porsche 935 ($4,295,000/£3,395,000)

Being the first of any rare model helps at auction and this Porsche 935 enjoyed that assistance at Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach sale in August.

As the factory prototype, this 1976 935 generated plenty of interest among Porsche fans. This was helped even more by this car’s success at Watkins Glen and a third overall at Dijon in its first year of racing.

It was sold following a full restoration by Cavaglieri Restorations, plus it was also billed as the only Martini Racing Porsche 935 in private ownership.

Even so, its sale price was a little under its lower estimate, so the buyer did well.

27. 2017 Pagani Huayra BC ($4,336,250/£3,428,000)

This Huayra is one of two Paganis to make it into the top 30 sales of 2024, showing the Italian hypercar company is now well and truly considered among the likes of the Ferrari Enzo and Porsche 918.

The fact this car is one of just 20 Huayra BC cars made with a narrower focus on track driving added to its appeal.

It has also been upgraded to Pacchetto Tempesta specification with improved aerodynamics, suspension and even more power from its 6-litre V12 twin-turbo engine.

It might have helped that this Huayra was sold at the RM Sotheby’s Dubai auction in December, where the market for classic cars is still developing at a fast rate.

26. 1967 Ford GT40 ($4,405,000/£3,482,000)

This particular Ford GT40 is known as the ‘Hostage Car’, because it was kept by Swiss dealer Scuderia Filipinetti for an extended time after it appeared at the 1967 Geneva motor show.

Such an unusual past helped its allure to bidders at Broad Arrow Auctions’ Amelia Island sale in March.

Originally sold as a road car, this GT40 now has an FIA Historic Technical Passport so it can compete in all of the best events. This surely helped it sell strongly.

The car was offered in ready-to-use form for road or track, and its original colour and unbroken history from new further enhanced its provenance.

25. 2001 Ferrari Enzo ($4,510,000/£3,565,000)

The second of two Ferrari Enzos to make it into the top 30 sales of 2024, this one went across the block in Mecum’s Kissimmee sale in January.

Its hammer price made it the third most expensive Enzo ever sold at auction to date.

Bidding for this car was keen, because it was one of only six finished in attractive Grigio Titanio grey-metallic paint. Inside, there was black-leather upholstery with red stitching to continue the restrained look.

With only 2745 miles from new when sold, the car had full service records, a Ferrari Classiche report, and all of its original tools and books. It also came with a Marcel Massini report.

24. 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari ($4,675,000/£3,695,500)

This LaFerrari is the only example of Ferrari’s hybrid hypercar to make it into 2024’s top 30 auction sales, though it is one of 17 of the Italian firm’s cars to feature.

Finished in an unusual cream exterior with cream-leather interior, it was specified when new by US rock star and Van Halen band member Sammy Hagar.

The car was sold by Barrett-Jackson at its Scottsdale Fall auction in October and included a scale model of the car gifted by Ferrari to Hagar when he took delivery. It also has a plaque signed by Hagar from when the car was displayed at The Quail.

With only 1566 miles from new when it crossed the block, this LaFerrari also came with a new hybrid battery fitted by Ferrari of San Francisco.

23. 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV ($4,900,000/£3,873,500)

The greatest number of cars from a single marque in the RM Sotheby’s Dare to Dream Collection sale in Toronto, Canada was from Ferrari. However, the highest sale price went to this Lamborghini Miura SV.

Making just shy of $5 million on the day, this SV also became the most expensive Miura of its type to be sold at auction up to that point.

One of 150 Miura SVs made, this one came with full matching numbers and had previously been in the collection of Jamiroquai singer Jay Kay.

A detailed restoration of the car had been carried out by Cremonini Carrozzeria and the car was then certified by Lamborghini’s Polo Storico for its authenticity.

22. 1995 Ferrari 333 SP Evoluzione ($5,120,000/$4,047,500)

More recent racing cars can be difficult to value or find buyers for, but this Ferrari 333 SP Evoluzione had no such trouble, even if it did sell for quite a lot less than its lower estimate at Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach sale in August.

One of nine cars built by Dallara, this example came with a bulging race CV that saw six podiums in 1995 and a further seven in 1997 in the IMSA SportsCar Championships. This impressive history included wins at Halifax, Lime Rock, Pikes Peak and Sebring.

A number of well-known drivers had also been at the wheel of this car in period, with names such as Michele Alberto, Andrea Montermini and Didier Theys.

With a 4-litre V12 and sold in ready-to-use condition, the 333 SP was a solid route into historic motorsport with a Ferrari.

21. 2022 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ ($5,175,000/£4,091,000)

The newest car in this top 30 list by some margin, the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ is a car that was an instant classic the moment it rolled off the line.

That sort of appeal helps the Chiron in this form to mix with blue-chip, established classic cars on price and at events.

It’s one of only eight Super Sport 300+ models produced for the US market out of a total of 30 such cars made.

Each has a 1578bhp, 8-litre, W16, quad-turbo engine that propels the car to a top speed of 304.777mph, hence the 300+ in its name.

This car came with delivery mileage only showing on the clocks, plus it had its original documentation.

20. 1958 Ferrari 250GT TdF Berlinetta ($5,200,000/£4,111,000)

The Pebble Beach auctions are a good barometer for the market, and this Ferrari reflected the general trend for lower prices in 2024 than in recent years.

It sold for slightly below estimate at Gooding & Company’s auction, but was decent value for the buyer.

The last of 17 ‘Three Louvre’ Tour de France 250s made, it was delivered new to US Ferrari dealer and racing driver George Reed.

The car finished second in class at the Sebring 12 Hours in 1958 and was that year’s Sports Car Club of America Production Champion.

Finished in its original paint scheme and still with its matching-numbers engine, this 250GT TdF Coupé also benefited from a Marcel Massini report to confirm its history and condition.

19. 1967 Ferrari 275GTB/4 NART Alloy ($5,285,000/£4,178,000)

RM Sotheby’s included this 1967 Ferrari 275GTB/4 NART Alloy coupé in its August Monterey sale.

The car was always likely to cause a stir among the Ferrari faithful, because it had the most racing success in period for this model.

It’s the only 275 to have achieved a major international victory when it took first in class at the 1969 24 Hours of Daytona with Sam Posey and Ricardo Rodriguez driving.

The car was also used on the road later in its life before it was certified by Ferrari Classiche in 2012, which issued a White Book to preserve the car’s original racing modifications.

As well as its race history and being one of only 16 alloy-bodied 275GTB/4s, this example also stood out at auction for its matching-numbers bodywork and drivetrain.

18. 1955 Ferrari 857 Sport Spider ($5,350,000/£4,229,000)

A mere four 857 Sport Spiders were made by Ferrari, so any of this model that comes to auction generates a lot of interest.

Despite this, Gooding & Company’s example at its Pebble Beach sale in August sold for less than the lower estimate.

That lower price was something of a surprise, given this was the last of the four 857 Sport Spiders made, and had been driven in period by Carroll Shelby and Jack McAfee, as well as Olivier Gendebien, Richie Ginther and Masten Gregory.

More recently, this car had been subject to a detailed restoration by DK Engineering in the UK and was being sold with its matching-numbers engine fitted.

17. 1958 Ferrari 250GT LWB California Spider ($5,444,000/£4,304,000)

One of only four cars in this top 30 to sell outside North America, this 1958 Ferrari 250GT LWB California Spider crossed the block with Artcurial at its Monaco auction in May.

There is always a buzz surrounding the sale of any 250 California Spider and this one caught the attention for being the 12th made. It also came with a complete, unbroken history.

Delivered new to New York, first owner Robert Gumper kept it for 10 years. It was sold painted in metallic grey, but the original colour is not known.

An in-depth restoration headed by the Brandoli family had been carried out on this car and Ferrari Classiche certification followed.

16. 1995 Ferrari F50 ($5,505,000/£4,352,000)

The sole Ferrari F50 to make it into the top 30 2024 auction results, it shows the mid-1990s, limited-edition supercar is gaining on its F40 sibling in popularity.

This F50 at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale in August was the 47th out of 349 built and had covered just 8556 miles when it arrived at auction.

It was also a Platinum winner at the 2023 Cavallino Classic Palm Beach event.

As one of 55 F50s sold new to the US, this car had spent its entire life there and was being sold with six sets of keys, Ferrari Red Book and Classiche certification, the original toolkit in black-leather cases, and even the tyre inflator supplied when new.

15. 1959 Ferrari 250GT LWB California Spider ($5,615,000/£4,439,000)

Already one of the most glamorous cars ever to grace the road, this particular Ferrari 250GT LWB California Spider was made even more glitzy thanks to its role in the 1967 Italian film Le Dolci Signore.

Those bidders less interested in movies might have preferred to know the car was once owned by Swiss racing driver Jo Siffert.

Finished in the original colour scheme of Nero black with a Rosso red-leather interior, this 250 came to auction from 19 years with its previous owner.

It is the 19th car of 50 made of this type, plus had its original, matching-numbers engine in place.

A restoration in the 1990s by Phil Reilly & Company was wearing very well and the car has also featured in two of the definitive books on the model.

14. 1962 Ferrari 250GT SWB ($5,804,000/£4,588,250)

This Ferrari 250GT SWB came from the W Collection and was the star of Artcurial’s Monaco sale in May.

It’s easy to see why when the car was finished in the unusual colour of Blu Tigullio with a red-leather interior when it was ordered by Norman Blank.

However, Blank didn’t take delivery of the car and it was sold instead to a Dr Anderson from Florida, after it was displayed on the Ferrari stand at the 1962 New York Auto Show.

Dr Anderson clearly enjoyed the car, because it had almost 100,000 miles on the clock when he sold it and subsequent owners added a further 30,000 miles to that impressive tally.

In the early 2000s, this Ferrari 250GT SWB was restored to its factory specification complete with its original engine, gearbox and body.

Despite this, when sold in May 2024, its hammer price was some way short of the lower estimate.

13. 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Aravis ‘Special Cabriolet’ ($6,605,000/£5,221,500)

The late Peter Mullin’s superb collection included many special cars, but few as rare as this 1938 Bugatti Type 57C with Aravis ‘Special Cabriolet’ bodywork.

Gooding & Company handled the sale and it was one of the few cars in 2024 to rocket past its higher estimate and sell for significantly more.

With a sale price of $6,605,000 and high estimate of $3.5 million, it was close to doubling that upper pre-sale guide.

As well as the provenance of coming from the Mullin collection, this Bugatti Type 57 was one of only four built with this coachwork from Gangloff.

Further adding to this example’s rarity is it is one of only two of those cars made on a supercharged Type 57C chassis.

An exemplary restoration helped this car achieve its superb sale price, as well as a history that includes Bugatti works driver Maurice Trintignant as its first owner, who raced it in the 1939 Grand Prix du Comminges.

12. 1966 Ford GT40 MkI road car ($6,930,000/£5,478,000)

The versatility of the Ford GT40 as a race, road and touring car explains why there are three in this top 30 list.

This one sits in the middle of the trio and was sold by Mecum in January at its Kissimmee auction.

It achieved an impressive price, which was due to this road-car version’s superb condition following a nut-and-bolt restoration by RUF Automobiles.

This was while the car was with the same owner for 30 years, during which time it was rarely seen in public so there was a lot of interest in the car for this reason, too.

One of 30 GT40 road cars built in period, this one was sold with competition options from new. It is rated as one of the best and most original GT40s in the world, and it has never been in an accident.

11. 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Rennversion ($7,045,000/£5,569,000)

Both Porsche cars that make it into the top 30 auction sales of 2024 are racing models, with this 1997 GT1 Rennversion the most expensive. It was sold by Broad Arrow Auctions in August at its Monterey event.

As one of only nine customer GT1s produced, it was campaigned by the German Roock Racing Team in the 1997 FIA GT Championship.

It competed at that year’s Le Mans 24 Hours with Allan McNish and Stéphane Ortelli sharing the drive. It also won four races in the 1997 IMSA GTS-1 class in the USA.

Even with a long race history behind it, this 911 GT1 has never been severely damaged or dismantled, so its superb condition helped its auction appeal.

It was also finished in its famous Rohr Racing livery that made it stand out.

10. 1969 Ford GT40 Lightweight ($7,865,000/£6,217,500)

Topping the trio of Ford GT40s in this top 30 list, this 1969 car was one of just 10 factory competition lightweight versions made.

This included bodywork made from thinner materials and this example has been authenticated by Ronnie Spain.

Although made for racing, this car came to auction with Mecum at its Monterey sale in August complete with its original Gurney Weslake 289cu in (4.7-litre) V8 engine fitted.

It also had its matching-numbers gearbox, chassis and bodywork all intact.

Another unusual feature of this GT40 that was included in the sale was a set of date-coded original Firestone race tyres to display with the car.

9. 1979 Ferrari 312 T4 ($8,034,000/£6,351,000)

This Ferrari 312 T4 is the only Formula One car to make it into the top 30 auction sales of 2024, but it is one of five Ferraris in the top 10 places.

Few cars can come to auction with a more direct link to its maker and driver as this car, which was sold by RM Sotheby’s in Monaco in May direct from Jody Scheckter’s private collection.

This was one of Scheckter's racing cars, bought from the factory in 1982, and he was the sole owner until this sale.

While it would take some work to make the 312 T4 ready to race in historic events, it came in exactly the condition it left the factory with worn seatbelts and all matching numbers.

8. 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Alloy Gullwing ($9,355,000/£7,395,500)

One person’s junk is another’s treasure was clearly the thinking behind this rare Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing with an alloy body making such a high figure when it was sold by RM Sotheby’s in October 2024, as part of the Rudi Klein Collection auction in Los Angeles.

Thought to have been bought new by Luigi Chinetti, US Ferrari importer and Le Mans winner, it had not been seen for 50 years outside of Klein’s yard.

The collector bought the car from Chinetti, so the car has a simple, direct history.

Presented in completely unrestored form, the 300SL still has its original engine, gearbox, back axle, steering and body. It also came with its delivery documents from Mercedes.

Although not in its factory paint scheme, this car’s appeal was further helped by it being the 26th of 29 alloy Gullwings made.

7. 1960 Ferrari 250GT SWB Competizione ($10,661,000/£8,428,000)

This Ferrari 250GT SWB Competizione was built with a ‘hot rod’ engine to compete in the 1960 12 Hours of Sebring.

It gave the car an added excitement when it was consigned to the RM Sotheby’s Paris auction back in January.

When new, this Ferrari 250GT SWB was raced by George Arents and Bill Kimberly, and Arents was the car’s first owner.

This car finished seventh overall in the Sebring race and fifth in class. It went on to be used by several other well-known racing drivers of the time and was used in competition into the new millennium.

A full restoration was carried out in 2014, where the car was confirmed to still have its original, matching-numbers engine, rear axle and chassis. It came with a Ferrari Classiche certificate, which noted how original the body is.

6. 2014 Pagani Zonda 760 LM Roadster ($11,086,250/£8,764,000)

The second Pagani to make it into the top 30 auction results of 2024 and this Zonda LM Roadster sold for more than twice as much as the Pagani Huayra BC also included here.

While all Zondas are rare, this 760 LM Roadster is unique and was commissioned by its first owner as a one-off.

A coupé version with the same race-inspired bodywork was made, while the Roadster was said to be the most complex car Pagani had produced up to that time.

It has a 7.3-litre V12 engine supplied by Mercedes-AMG and showed just 9604km (5967 miles) on the dials at the time of the sale.

Pagani stated when the Zonda 760 LM Roadster was finished that it had 60 unique components, including the bonnet.

5. 1903 Mercedes-Simplex 60hp ‘Roi des Belges’ ($12,105,000/£9,569,000)

If there were any doubts about early ‘brass era’ cars still drawing a crowd at auctions, this 1903 Mercedes-Simplex 60hp ‘Roi des Belges’ laid them to rest.

This large, pioneering car came to auction with Gooding & Company from 121 years of continuous, single-family ownership.

It had also taken part in many London to Brighton Veteran Runs, as well as enjoying period race success in the 1903 Castlewellan Hill Climb and at Nice Speed Week.

It was sold at Amelia Island in February 2024 and fetched considerably more than its upper estimate.

It was aided in this by its superb history, which also included more than six decades as an exhibit at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in the UK.

4. 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider ($12,985,000/£10,265,000)

Ferrari only made four 410 S cars and this one is unique, because it was a 410 Sport Speciale that was transformed into a racing car for its privateer owner, Tony Parravano.

A keen racer, Parravano bought the 410 after a string of previous Ferraris. It was tailor-made to his specification with a longer tail than normal, and a larger oval grille and bonnet air intake.

The car went with Parravano when he fled to Mexico in 1957 for tax evasion and the car was subsequently sold there in 1960.

It then returned to the US in the 1970s and also spent time in Germany. It was restored in 2014, and it is the only 410 S to retain its original engine, because the others were damaged in racing.

3. 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider ($14,030,000/£11,091,000)

This Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider arrived at auction in Pebble Beach in August with a who’s who of notable collectors as former owners.

Such provenance has helped this car reach the state of near perfection in which it was sold by Gooding & Company. It was also the first time this car had ever been sold at public auction.

One of only five long-chassis 8C 2900B Touring Spiders in existence, this car had taken top honours with Best of Show at Villa d’Este in 1996 and First in Class at Pebble Beach in 2000.

The car was first bought by Antonio Scalera of Rome, and it was sold with an acceptance to the 2025 Mille Miglia for its new owner.

2. 1960 Ferrari 250GT SWB California Spider ($17,055,000/£13,482,500)

A difference in sale time of a few months possibly accounts for this Ferrari 250GT SWB California Spider selling for slightly less than the one that occupies the top spot.

Both are superb examples, but the market had certainly cooled by the middle of the year when this car was sold by RM Sotheby’s at its Monterey sale in August.

As the very first 250GT SWB California Spider built, this car’s sale was keenly anticipated.

It was shown at the 1960 Geneva Auto Salon on Ferrari’s stand and was fitted from new with a competition-spec engine, covered headlights and removable factory hardtop.

Presented in its original colours of Grigio with a red-leather interior, the car had been used regularly by the owner who consigned it to the auction.

It also came with Ferrari Classiche certification, plus its matching-numbers engine, gearbox and drivetrain.
 

1. 1963 Ferrari 250GT SWB California Spider ($17,875,000/£14,131,000)

If the first-ever Ferrari 250GT SWB California Spider didn’t make the highest auction sale price of 2024, then the last example produced did.

Sold at its January sale in Kissimmee, Mecum found bidding was busy on this 1963 car.

It was immaculately presented in red with a tan-leather interior, and had been restored by Patrick Ottis in California, appropriately enough.

It was sold new through Charles Rezzaghi Motors in San Francisco and the car retains its original chassis, engine and body, plus owner’s manuals and tool roll.

This was the final 250GT SWB California Spider built by Ferrari out of 55 produced, and came with a Ferrari Classiche certificate and Marcel Massini report.

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