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

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    Artcurial
    01

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    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.
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    Patrick Ernzen/RM Sotheby's
    02

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    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.
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    RM Sotheby's
    03

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    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.
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    Brian Henniker/Gooding & Company
    04

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    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?
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    Mathieu Heurtault/Gooding & Company
    05

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    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.
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    RM Sotheby's
    06

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    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.
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    Mathieu Heurtault/Gooding & Company
    07

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    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.
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    Brian Henniker/Gooding & Company
    08

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    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.
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    Mathieu Heurtault/Gooding & Company
    09

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    This 1932 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster retains its original coachwork and components, and got a loving restoration in 2013. $10.4 million? Sure.
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    RM Sotheby’s
    10

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    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?
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    Bonhams
    11

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    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.
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