Last month, Mercedes-Benz took the record for the most expensive car sold at auction with the 1955 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, which ended up going for about $143 million.
The German luxury automaker held the auction in private at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.
Over the decades, one-off, low-volume and retro automobiles have found second (and sometimes third) lives through auctions.
Barrett-Jackson is one of the more famous names in the space, specializing in collector car auctions since its founding in 1971.
Here's a list of the top 10 most expensive cars sold through an auction at Barrett-Jackson.
10. 1969 Chevrolet Corvette No. 57 Rebel - $2,860,000
One of four lightweight versions of the L88 Corvette, the No. 57 Rebel featured a 7.0-liter V8 engine and a four-speed manual transmission that put down more than 500 horsepower. The Rebel was ordered by Or Costanzo, a driver for Dave Heinz Racing, where the car took place in several IMSA-sanctioned races in the 70s.
At the time, GM had banned Chevrolet from racing, so these cars were built in secret. After being displayed in museums and taking part in vintage races, this one sold at auction in 2014.
9. 1948 Tucker Torpedo - $2,915,000
Otherwise known as the Tucker 48, the Torpedo was a car developed by automotive engineer Preston Tucker, who wanted to build a futuristic car to compete against the Big 3 automakers after World War II.
Despite producing a car that created a lot of attention, funding issues and a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation put the Tucker Corporation out of business in 1949 with just 51 cars made. This one sold at auction in 2012.
8. 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray VIN 001 - $3,000,000
The first production mid-engine Corvette to roll off the assembly line, the 2020 model is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. That combination makes for 490 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.
This was a charity auction, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the Detroit Children's Fund.
7. 1954 Oldsmobile F-88 GM Concept Car - $3,240,000
In 1954, General Motors designer Bill Lange wanted to develop a sports car under the Oldsmobile marque that could make up for the Corvette's poor sales. It featured a "Rocket V8" engine that was capable of 250 horsepower.
Only four pre-production models were built, with one surviving. It was auctioned off in 2005.
6. 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special Concept Car - $3,300,000
After watching speed trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats, GM designer Harley Earl thought up the Pontiac Bonneville Special Motorama Concept Car. Only two cars were built, one in green and another in bronze. They were unveiled simultaneously in Los Angeles and New York, respectively.
The Bonneville Special has been through the auction process twice, selling for $3,024,000 in 2005 and $3,300,000 in 2015.
5. 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 VIN 001 - $3,600,000
The latest Corvette Z06, in this case the first example off the production line and the 70th Anniversary edition, features a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive.
The total amount of the auction price, or hammer price, went to Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization helping veterans and their families in civilian life.
4. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 - $3,850,000
Built with a racing focus, only 20 examples of the 1967 Corvette L88 were produced. The car, with its V8 engine and four-speed manual transmission, was estimated to get between 500 and 600 horsepower.
The 1967 L88 was sold at auction in 2014.
3. 1950 General Motors Futurliner - $4,400,000
Conceived and designed by GM's Earl, this bus is officially known as the 1950 Futurliner Parade of Progress Tour Bus, one of many buses that GM built and used to tour the country as a compliment to its Motorama yearly event.
Each one built weighed approximately 30,000 pounds and had a theme. This one's theme was the "March of Tools." The bus was auctioned twice, once in 2015 for $4 million and again the next year for $4.4 million.
2. #1 Batmobile - $4,620,000
Using the body of a 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car, the original Batmobile was constructed for use in the Batman TV show that ran on ABC from 1966 to 1968 by custom car builder George Barris.
Three other cars were built for promotional purposes. After the end of the show, Barris kept the car in his shop until deciding to put it up for auction in 2013.
1. 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake - $5,500,000
Reportedly the last Shelby American-built "Super Snake" in existence, this Cobra has a twin-supercharged V8 engine and a three-speed automatic transmission. It was originally spec'd as a factory 427 competition model before being upgraded to a Super Snake in 1967.
The Super Snake has been through Barrett-Jackson auctions three times, selling for $5.5 million in 2007, $5,115,000 in 2015 and $5.5 million in 2021.
Uncommon Knowledge
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