Dec 31, 2016 7:00 AM

Gallery: The 11 Most Expensive Cars Sold at Auction in 2016

Artcurial
01
170-1957-FerrariTA.jpg
This 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti's $35.7 million sale price may make it the most expensive car ever. The cheery, cherry racer once set a lap record at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, guided by the hands of legendary British driver Mike Hawthorn, who just happened to retire the next year.
Patrick Ernzen/RM Sotheby's
02
2-1.jpg
This 1955 Jaguar D-Type took Pebble Beach by storm this year, fetching $21.8 million. It has a pretty storied history: It was the overall Le Mans winner in 1956, and is the only Le Mans-winning C- or D-type still intact today.

RM Sotheby's
03
3-1.jpg
The 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider fetched $19.8 million, and has a chassis crafted by big-time Italian car builder Carrozzeria Touring. It’s one of 12 Touring Spiders around, so complimenti to the buyer.
Brian Henniker/Gooding & Company
04
4-1.jpg
The $18.2 million 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione finished fifth at the 1960 Sebring, and has intact coachwork by iconic Italian automobile design company Carrozzeria Scaglietti. A steal?

Mathieu Heurtault/Gooding & Company
05
5-1.jpg
This pretty 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider is worth $17.2 million to someone. Its time in the spotlight probably helped: the car featured in the 1963 Academy Award-winning Sophia Loren film Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.
RM Sotheby's
06
6-1.jpg
The 1962 Shelby 260 Cobra "CSX 2000" is the granddaddy of American sports cars, personally stuffed with a V8 gearbox by legendary designer and driver Carroll Shelby himself. $13.8 million? Seems fair.

Mathieu Heurtault/Gooding & Company
07
7-1.jpg
This peppy 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione, driven by dynamic American driving duo Ed Hugus and Augie Pabst to a seventh place Le Mans finish in 1960, went for a cool $13.5 million.
Brian Henniker/Gooding & Company
08
8-1.jpg
And then there’s serious vintage goodness. This 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza won the 1947 Sport Nazionale Championship. Its new owner lost $12 million on his or her successful attempt to own it.

Mathieu Heurtault/Gooding & Company
09
9-1.jpg
This 1932 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster retains its original coachwork and components, and got a loving restoration in 2013. $10.4 million? Sure.
RM Sotheby’s
10
10-1.jpg
Downside? This 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster can only carry two passengers. But who needs lots of friends when you have $9.9 million to throw around and a classic Benz to drive?

Bonhams
11
11-1.jpg
This cool, blue, low-slung 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Sports Tourer was one of the first built under the direction of famed engineer and designer Jean Bugatti. Which, sure, makes it worth $9.7 million.

The Men Spending $50,000 Just to Reserve a Tesla Roadster

The base model—without thrusters or the flight system—will likely cost several times that amount to buy. “I’m going to do everything in my power to get the flying one,” says one customer.

Aarian Marshall

Jaguar Finally Reveals Its Biggest Gamble: the Type 01

Following a viral rebrand and two years without selling a new vehicle, the British marque takes the covers off the most divisive electric car yet seen.

Jeremy White