The COVID pandemic saw many industries scrambling to make any sales they could to keep their heads above water, but the classic car industry was not one of them. Although showrooms and auction houses haven’t seen the numbers that they have pre-pandemic, online and international sales have boomed.
The increase in classic car sales has come because many collectors now have more time to pursue their hobbies since they are currently working from home. Also, in 2022 chasing the most expensive vintage cars is a pastime that people can pursue safely from a distance.
So, read on to see the most expensive antique cars sold at auction during the pandemic 2019 – 2022.
Here are the top 10 most expensive classic cars in the world right now
- FERRARI 250 GTO – $70M
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The Ferrari 250 GTO is a GT car produced by Ferrari from 1962 to 1964 for homologation into the FIA’s Group 3 Grand Touring Car category. It was powered by Ferrari’s Tipo 168/62 Colombo V12 engine. The amazing V12 engine and the aerodynamic body design allowed the Ferrari 250 GTO to reach an incredible top speed of 170 miles per hour. There are bigger valves and dry-sump lubrication, making this one of the most legendary engine combos in a car.
- FERRARI 335S – $35.5M
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The Ferrari 335 S was a sports racing car produced by Italian manufacturer Ferrari in 1957. The car was a direct response to the Maserati 450S which with its 4.5-litre engine was threatening to overpower the 3.8-litre 315 S and 3.5-litre 290 MM. Four cars were produced in total.
- MERCEDES-BENZ W196 – $29.6M
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The Mercedes-Benz W196 was a Formula One racing car produced by Mercedes-Benz for the 1954 and 1955 F1 seasons. Successor to the W194, in the hands of Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss it won 9 of 12 races entered and captured the only two world championships in which it competed.
- FERRARI 290 MM – $28M
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The Ferrari 290 MM was a sports racing car produced by Ferrari in 1956. It was developed to compete in the 1956 edition of Mille Miglia, hence the acronym “MM”, and four cars were built.
- FERRARI 275 GTB/4*S NART SPIDER – $30.1M
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The 275 GTB/4S NART Spider was a roadgoing 2-seater spider version of the 275 GTB/4, 10 of which were built in 1967. Production of this car was initiated by Ferrari’s North American dealer, Luigi Chinetti, who wanted a successor to the earlier 250 California Spider series. “NART” is short for North American Racing Team, which was devised by Le Mans–winner and U.S. Ferrari distributor Luigi Chinetti to promote sales for the Italian marque.
- FERRARI 275 GTB/C SPECIALE – $26.4M
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The first racing version of the 275 was the 275 GTB Competizione Speciale (or 275 GTB/C Speciale). Designed under the supervision of Mauro Forghieri, this model was intended to succeed the 250 GTO as Ferrari’s GT-class entry during the 1965 racing season.
- ASTON MARTIN DBR1 – $22.5M
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The Aston Martin DBR1 was a sports racing car built by Aston Martin starting in 1956, intended for the World Sportscar Championship as well as non-championship sportscar races at the time. It is most famous as the victor of the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans, Aston Martin’s only outright victory at the endurance classic.
- JAGUAR D-TYPE – $21.7M
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The Jaguar D-Type is a sports racing car that was produced by Jaguar Cars Ltd. between 1954 and 1957. Designed specifically to win the Le Mans 24-hour race, it shared the straight-6 XK engine and many mechanical components with its C-Type predecessor.
- ALFA ROMEO 8C 2900B LUNGO SPIDER – $19.8M
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Powered by a 180 hp supercharged straight-eight engine, the 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider was one of the most advanced sports cars of its era. Performance was helped along by four wheel independent suspension, a four-speed transmission, and hydraulic drum brakes on each corner.
- FERRARI 250 GT SWB CALIFORNIA SPIDER – $16M
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In 1959, Ferrari gave the 250 GT Berlinetta sharper handling, reducing its wheelbase from 2,600 mm to 2,400 mm. In 1960, Scaglietti unveiled the 250 GT California Spyder SWB at the Geneva Motor Show, its body pulled more tautly over this updated chassis.