30 top classic cars at auction in 2022

The biggest classic car auction sales of 2022

The classic car market enjoyed a strong year in 2022, so here we are counting down the top 30 classic cars that achieved the highest prices at auction in the year.

To whet your appetite, there’s some more modern machinery breaking into this top tier, along with one unexpected sale that stunned the world.

Enjoy!

The listings are presented in ascending order of confirmed sale price for classic cars that were made up to 31 December 1999. Prices are expressed in pound sterling and US dollars, using a conversion rate which was accurate at the time of writing. Data correct as of 19 December 2022.

30. 1969 Porsche 908/02 (£3,429,481/$4,185,000)

Selling for just over its lower estimate of $4 million at Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach sale in August 2022, this Porsche racing car came with a complete history from when it left the factory.

It was campaigned in the 1969 Targa Florio, as well as at Brands Hatch and the Nürburgring the same year.

With names such as Vic Elford, Richard Attwood and Pedro Rodríguez having raced in this Porsche, it was always going to be popular with bidders.

The buyer can now enjoy the car’s 3.0-litre flat-eight engine with 350bhp, and it comes with a spares package and extra ‘Flunder’ bodywork.

29. 1959 Porsche 718 RSK Werks Spyder (£3,523,721/$4,300,000)

Little wonder there was keen bidding on this 1959 Porsche 718 RSK when it’s one of the alloy-bodied factory team cars.

One of only 10 cars of this type made, this example took class wins at the 12 Hours of Sebring in Florida and the Nürburgring 1000km races.

Adding to this car’s appeal is a history of competition at the Le Mans 24 Hours and Targa Florio, and it was driven by Wolfgang von Trips, Jo Bonnier and Hans Hermann.

Now completely restored, this 718 is much as it would have left the factory and ready to be used in historic motorsport.

28. 1991 Williams FW14 (£3,529,269/$4,303,482)

When Nigel Mansell decided to sell some of his collection, there was an immediate buzz among collectors, and prime among the cars sold by the Formula One World Champion was the car he gave Ayrton Senna a lift on at the British Grand Prix.

As if its association with this bit of driver camaraderie wasn’t enough to make the Williams FW14 hugely desirable, Mansell also took this car to five wins during the 1991 season.

It was gifted to Mansell by the team and was in his ownership right up to the auction in Monte Carlo in May 2022.

27. 1985 Ferrari 288GTO (£3,609,765/$4,405,000)

This Ferrari 288GTO has enjoyed a pampered life, which partly explains the minimal 15,004km (9323 miles) that it has covered since new.

Delivered from the factory to Los Angeles, USA, it was kept by the Ferrari dealer Chris Vandagriff for several years. It came to auction in Monterey in August 2022 from the Pinnacle Portfolio Collection, where it had been since 2011.

Aside from its immaculate condition, which is confirmed by a Ferrari Classiche Red Book, this exact 288GTO has also featured on the cover of Automobile magazine. It comes with factory air conditioning and is, apparently, on the button to be used by its new owner.

26. 1996 Ferrari F50 (£3,620,612/$4,418,537)

We bet you guessed there would be a lot of classic Ferraris in this list!

Delivered new to its first owner in Monaco in 1996, this F50 has covered a mere 1318km (819 miles) since then.

This makes it one of the most original and untouched F50s in the world – and this model is becoming one of the most sought-after Ferraris.

Underlining the factory-fresh condition of this example, it comes with its original ‘flight case’ that contains the removable roof components and fabric soft-top.

It also has its complete set of factory manuals and air compressor under the bonnet, so the new owner is effectively taking on an as-new F50.

25. 1995 Ferrari F50 (£3,790,048/$4,625,000)

It seems that 2022 proved to be a good year for Ferrari F50 sales, as proven by this car sold by Gooding & Company at its Pebble Beach auction in August.

It reached just above its lower estimate and is one of only 55 F50s delivered new to the US.

Among its previous owners is boxer Mike Tyson, plus this Ferrari Classiche-certified car has covered only 6200 miles since new.

Just before the sale, it was comprehensively checked over to ensure it’s ready to be used by the new owner. This lucky person also gets its original tool roll, book packs and the factory hardtop roof.

24. 1968 Porsche 907 (£3,819,306/$4,661,726)

One of the highlights of 2022 for Porsche fans was the chance to own this 1968 907 that competed at the Le Mans 24 Hours three times between 1970 and 1972.

It also raced at the Nürburgring 1000km in 1968, finishing fourth overall.

That kind of provenance coupled to a continuous ownership history made this a very desirable car at Artcurial’s Rétromobile sale in Paris, back in March.

It was restored in the mid-1990s to a seemingly superb standard and now has a gently mellowed appearance that will fit right in at all of the top historic motorsport events.

23. 1935 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe (£3,835,119/$4,680,000)

Coming to the market in August 2022 at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale in the US, this Duesenberg Model J had been with the same owner for 55 years.

When it was new, it received a body that had already been used on another Duesenberg used by its original owner, Isabel Townend Pell of New York City.

The Rollston-bodied car is well travelled, having spent time in France with Ms Pell before returning to the US in the 1950s. It was acquired by Terence Adderley in 1967 and is in immaculate condition.

Another feather in this classic car’s cap is it was used as the basis for the scale-model kit produced by Monogram of The Classic Duesenberg SJ Roadster.

22. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Alloy Gullwing (£4,105,544/$5,010,000)

Reading like a check list of everything a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing collector could ever want, the specification of this car includes it being the 21st of 29 aluminium-bodied examples made.

In addition, it comes with sports suspension, Rudge wheels and a Sonderteile (‘special parts’) motor.

Sold in August 2022 at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction in California, the SL came from the Pinnacle Portfolio Collection and had been restored by Kienle Automobiltechnik in Germany.

Before that, its first owner was in Basel, Switzerland. It later relocated to the US where it was used in hillclimbing by its then-owner, State Senator of Pennsylvania, Theodore Wood.

21. 1995 Ferrari F50 (£4,240,757/$5,175,000)

As we’ve said already, 2022 seemed to be the year the Ferrari F50 truly established itself among the most desired Ferraris in the classic car world.

Broad Arrow’s example that sold at its Monterey sale in the US in August was the sixth US-spec F50 delivered, and is one of only 349 cars of this type produced.

This example had three owners prior to its sale and had covered just 5000 miles. It earned a Ferrari Classiche certificate in 2017 and had been serviced just ahead of its sale, so was in ready-to-use condition for the new owner.

20. 1959 Ferrari 250GT TdF (£4,375,969/$5,340,000)

This Ferrari 250GT Tour de France won half of the 12 races it entered in 1959 and 1960 in the USA – and it finished on the podium in every single one of those events.

That’s quite some pedigree and goes some way to explaining why this 1959 example achieved such a high sale price when it was sold by RM Sotheby’s at its Monterey event in August.

The 26th out of 36 cars of this type made, this one retains its original engine, gearbox and rear axle.

It comes with a Ferrari Classiche Red Book, and came to auction from a 17-year ownership by the seller. Before this, it was fully restored to original condition, but with the addition of a rollbar for competition use.

19. 1995 Ferrari F50 (£4,421,040/$5,395,000)

Topping the Ferrari F50 auction prices in 2022 was this example sold by RM Sotheby’s at its Miami sale in December.

The growing popularity of the model helped it achieve this strong price, plus this is also a very early car, being the eighth out of 349 made.

Another reason this F50 reached a higher price than others in 2022 was its extremely low mileage, with only 625 miles from new on the clock.

It was sold with all of its book packs and Ferrari Classiche Red Book, along with the original fitted luggage and the case for the hardtop roof. It was kept by its first owner for 18 years in Singapore, before arriving the US.

18. 1957 Ferrari 250GT TdF LWB Berlinetta (£4,507,085/$5,500,000)

Delivered new to industrialist and racing driver Pierre Noblet, this Ferrari was immediately put to work competing all over Europe.

It can include events at Clermont-Ferrand, Monza, Reims, Spa and the Tour de France in its curriculum vitae. It’s also one of only 18 Series II models made with covered lights and three louvres in the front wings.

More recently, this classic 250GT TdF has been a winner on the concours field, scooping awards at the 2021 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the 2021 Cavallino Classic. Little wonder that such a pedigree race car in immaculate shape sold so well.

17. 1958 Ferrari 250GT LWB California Spider (£4,894,284/$5,972,500)

Out of 50 LWB California Spiders made, this car was the 14th chassis produced and has bodywork by Scaglietti.

It was supplied to its first owner in Milan in late 1959, which meant it was originally sold with open headlights, but it now sports the expected covers.

The car spent the first 36 years of life in Italy before heading to Paris. It was sold in Monterey in August by its most recent custodian who’d had it for 25 years, during which time this classic Ferrari was shipped between the owner’s homes in the UK and Florida in the US.

16. 1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupé Aerodinamico (£4,916,820/$6,000,000

Bidding was closely fought on this 1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica and it sold for $1 million (£820,000) above its higher estimate at Gooding’s Pebble Beach sale.

It helps that this model is considered the ultimate coachbuilt Ferrari of its period and this one was made for Count Volpi, the founder of race team Scuderia Serenissima.

The 4.0-litre V12-powered coupé is in unrestored condition. It’s covered only 24,000km (15,000 miles) since new when it was the only one of this model to be built with lightweight aluminium bodywork.

It was treated to many unique features at the behest of Count Volpi, including removable headrests, Klippan seatbelts, a second battery in the boot and its Nero Tropicale colour.

15. 1998 Ferrari F300 (£5,097,103/$6,220,000)

Any Ferrari Formula One car is special, but this 1998 F300 was drive to four wins by Michael Schumacher during that year’s season.

It’s also unique among F1 cars because it’s the only Ferrari chassis ever to run in at least three races and win every one.

Bought directly from Scuderia Ferrari by the seller, this F300 is chassis 187 and has a 3.0-litre, 800bhp V10 engine that revs to 17,500rpm.

Its first appearance at a Grand Prix was Monaco in 1998, where it was kept as the spare chassis. It then made its race debut in the Canadian GP.

=13. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Alloy Gullwing (£5,592,882/$6,825,000)

If it wasn’t for the unprecedented sale of our number one car, this 1955 Gullwing would have been the top-selling 300SL of 2022.

Its considerable sale price might not be in the same league as its illustrious sibling, but it is still very special as one of the alloy-bodied cars.

This car was delivered new to Mercedes-Benz’s Morocco agent Joseph F Weckerlé of Casablanca, who was a noted racing driver.

It was the 13th of 24 alloy-bodied 300SLs made and spent most of its life in the US ahead of its sale in Arizona in January 2022.

=13. 1958 Ferrari 250GT Cabriolet Series I (£5,592,882/$6,825,000)

Among the many low-production-volume Ferraris made, the Pinin Farina-bodied 250GT Cabriolet Series I is one of the rarest.

Only five of these cars were made with covered headlights and chrome 410 Superamerica-style wing vents. This example has a matching-numbers engine and was restored in 2001 in its correct black paint over a red interior finish.

The car’s first owner was the aforementioned Count Giovanni Volpi, the owner of the Scuderia Serenissima racing team. Prior to Count Volpi receiving the car, it was displayed at the 1959 Paris motor show.

12. 1938 Talbot-Lago T150 C SS Teardrop Coupé (£5,953,449/$7,265,000)

This ‘New York’ style of Teardrop Coupé by Talbot-Lago is one of just 11 built, and this one is the only car believed to have been made that was intended for racing use.

It competed at the 1939 Le Mans 24 Hours driven by Phillipe Régnier de Massa and Norbert-Jean Mahé.

The 3.0-litre T150 car spent the post-war period lying dormant in Berlin, East Germany, until the Berlin Wall fell. A restoration followed and took 11 years to complete, and its Figoni et Falaschi body that is 2in lower and 4in longer than any other Teardrop coupé is now as it would have been when new.

11. 1953 Ferrari 375MM Spider (£6,133,732/$7,485,000)

Few classic cars can have competed in such a variety of countries when new as this Ferrari 375MM Spider.

The fourth of 12 Spider models made, this car raced in Finland, Morocco, Portugal and Sweden in period. It was delivered new to Morocco for its first owner, Casimiro De Oliveira, to compete in the 12 Hours of Casablanca.

It was damaged in a race in Sweden in 1954 and sent to the Ferrari factory for repairs, yet the car still has its original engine.

It was restored in the ’70s and then owned in the 1990s by Lord Brocket. It won its class at the 1998 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

=9. 1966 Ferrari 275GTB/C (£6,223,874/$7,595,000)

A recent three-year restoration has ensured this 1996 Ferrari 275GTB/C is in perfect order, helped by it being only lightly used for racing when new.

It was first owned by Luciano Conti, a Milanese publisher and amateur racing driver, who bought the car to be driven by Arturo Merzario.

It was used more for hillclimbs than circuit racing and it had an easy life before heading to the US. It is the ninth of 12 third-series 275GTB/Cs and reckoned to be one of the most authentic examples in existence.

=9. 1954 Ferrari 375 America Vignale Cabriolet (£6,223,874/$7,595,000)

This car becomes more alluring the more you find out about its history.

As one of only three big-block cabriolets of this type with a 4.5-litre or larger V12 engine made by Ferrari in the 1950s, it would be hugely desirable for that alone.

However, this 375 is also the only cabriolet version of the 375 America, a one-off car with open coachwork by Vignale.

Put all of that together and this unique open-top classic Ferrari was always destined to do well at auction. Adding to its appeal is it’s also a matching-numbers car and comes with its original factory hardtop.

It was being sold by RM Sotheby’s in Monterey from a 25-year ownership and had been restored in the ’80s to as-new condition.

8. 1957 Ferrari 500TRC Spider (£6,404,158/$7,815,000)

Yes, the classic Ferraris just keep coming.

An impeccable racing career in both Europe and the US in period makes this 500TRC Spider eligible for historic race events all over the world.

This no doubt helped the car achieve such an impressive sale price when it went across the block at the RM Sotheby’s sale in Monterey in August 2022. And it was sold with its matching-numbers engine, which is not always the case with racing cars.

This example claimed 12 overall or class wins in the hands of Gaston Andrey in 1958-’59, as well as being driven by Richie Ginther and François Picard at the 1957 Le Mans 24 Hours.

The second-from-last of the 19 500TRCs made, this car is often cited as the one with the most attractive bodywork.

7. 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6 C ‘Tulipwood’ Torpedo (£7,576,000/$9,245,000)

André Dubonnet used his experience of aircraft to great effect when he commissioned this Hispano-Suiza with wooden bodywork.

While made from mahogany rather than tulip wood, the name for this car stuck and it has gone on to become the most famous example of the marque.

The ¾in ribs of wood are held together with thousands of aluminium rivets to create a striking body that was light and strong.

Dubonnet used his car to compete in the 1924 Targa Florio, finishing sixth overall. It was restored in the 1980s, retaining much of the original woodwork, and won its class at the 1986 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

6. 1960 Ferrari 250GT SWB Competizione (£7,762,500/$9,472,585)

If you need proof that a Ferrari 250GT SWB is almost certain to sell well at auction, look no further than this 1960 car sold by Gooding & Company at its London sale in September 2022.

It went for more than 10% over its higher estimate, aided by it being the Competition version with a history that includes period entries at Le Mans, Goodwood and Montlhéry.

More recently, this 250GT SWB has had only two owners in 38 years and has been campaigned successfully at the Goodwood Revival, the Le Mans Classic and in the Tour Auto.

It has been restored with input from Ferrari Classiche and Lanzante, and comes with an impeccable history to back up its superb condition.

5. 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster (£8,116,850/$9,905,000)

A Mercedes-Benz 540K is considered a must-have for many collectors and tells us why this car made such an impressive amount when it crossed the block in August at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale.

Just one of three surviving long-tail, covered-spare Special Roadsters, it was delivered new to King Mohammed Zahir of Afghanistan and remains in largely unrestored condition.

This supercharged car has subsequently been owned by a couple of noted collectors, who have helped preserve it.

It was acquired by its most recent owner in the early 1990s and it was sent to auction with fewer than 13,000 miles from new.

4. 1937 Bugatti Type 57 SC Atalante (£8,477,417/$10,345,000)

With only 17 Bugatti Type 57S Atalantes made, when any of these cars comes to auction, it is always eagerly anticipated.

This was the case with the 1937 car sold by Gooding & Company at its Pebble Beach sale in August.

The car was delivered new to its first owner in Paris and retains its original chassis, engine, axles and bodywork.

In superb condition, the Type 57SC had a recent mechanical restoration by Ivan Dutton Limited, so it was on the button for its new owner to enjoy the 200bhp 3.3-litre straight-eight-powered machine.

3. 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupé (£11,002,384/$13,425,000)

Selling for a significant 35% more than its auction estimate shows just how much buyers wanted to own this 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS when it came up for sale at Amelia Island in March 2022.

It’s easy to see why the buyer was seduced by the flowing Teardrop Coupé shape styled by Joseph Figoni.

The all-alloy body, which is in the Modéle New York style, has front-wheel spats to give as clean and free-flowing a line as possible. This helped the car win the Prix d’Excellence at the Concours d’Elegance Fémina in Paris in 1938.

It has subsequently been part of several important collections.

2. 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider (£18,032,437/$22,005,000)

There were only two 410 Sport Spiders used by the Ferrari factory with a 24-spark-plug, 4.9-litre V12 engine, and this is one of them. Small wonder it made such a remarkable price when sold at Monterey in August.

For added appeal to US bidders, the car had been driven in period by Carroll Shelby in 1956 and 1957, and it was also piloted by Juan Manuel Fangio for the 1956 1000km of Buenos Aires.

This 410 Sport Spider still has its original chassis, engine and body, as well as the fuel tank on which Carroll Shelby wrote: ‘Mr Ferrari told me that this was the best Ferrari he ever built.’

1. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé (£110.6 million/$135 million)

Not just the most sensational sale of 2022, but possibly the whole of the 21st century to date, few thought Mercedes-Benz would ever part with this 300SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé.

However, the firm decided to sell this amazing car to raise money for the Mercedes-Benz Fund to develop new technologies.

Owned by the manufacturer since it was new, the 300SLR is one of just two and was the fastest roadgoing car in the world when new with a top speed of 180mph.

This is the second of the two 300SLRs built, which has a 3.0-litre straight-eight engine and a body made from lightweight Elektron magnesium. Get the full story on what is now the world’s most expensive car ever sold at auction here.