When it comes to the very best vehicles, their pricing has an arc throughout time. They start expensive, they then get cheaper as they’re considered ‘old’, and then the price goes back up when they’re considered ‘vintage’ or ‘classic’. Every year, many people around the world restore some of the most beautiful and instantly-recognisable models ever to grace the planet. While some do it for fun, others do it for a huge profit. Here are some of the most expensive automotive restoration projects ever sold!
Ferrari 250 GTO – $48 million (USD)
Some cars just demand attention, and this is true of the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, a model often considered the holy grail of restoration projects. Back in 2016, the vehicle was driven into the RM Sotheby’s auction in California to much excitement from bidders. Eventually, it would get just over $48 million, officially the most expensive car ever sold in history. Not only is it the record for a Ferrari, but it’s also a record for an Italian car and a record for any car sold in the United States.
If you were to look at a list of the most expensive cars ever sold, you would also find a Ferrari 250 GTO in second place. Four years before the $48-million-dollar vehicle, a model from the same year sold for $38 million again in California. To put both these sales in perspective, the original car was available for $18,000.
Bugatti Type 57S Atalante – $8.8 million (USD)
If you’re looking for a fairy-tale restoration story, look no further than at this model from 1937. After a doctor bought the model over 50 years ago, it vanished from the face of the earth. Not long ago, it was rediscovered after the loved ones of a Dr Harold Carr inherited his garage of cars. After many years of being hidden away, the vehicle was restored to its former glory and reached nearly $9 million in an auction.
Mercedes-Benz W196 – $30 million (USD)
This time, we’re going back to the 1950s and a vehicle that raced in successive F1 seasons. In fact, it won two Drivers’ Championships in 1954 and 1955 with the inimitable Juan Manual Fangio at the wheel. In 2013, this model went up for auction in West Sussex in the UK and fetched just under $30 million. It only entered twelve races over the two years, but it won nine of these events and contributed to the successes of both Sir Stirling Moss and Fangio.
Aston Martin DBR1 – $23 million (USD)
Between the Ferrari and the Mercedes-Benz on the list of most expensive car sales, you will find a whole range of other Ferrari models – this includes the 335 S, 390 MM, 275 GTB, and more. After this, you’ll find the Aston Martin DBR1. Originally manufactured in 1956, this is another one made for racing. In 1959, it went down in history after winning the 24 Hours Le Mans race as well as the World Sports Car Championship – only three cars have achieved this feat.
In 2017, a version of this beautiful vehicle was sold in RM Sotheby’s in California for around $23 million – this makes it the most expensive British car of all time.
Just some other expensive models to have sold in recent years include the Batmobile (that’s right – a model from 1966 sold for over $4.5 million), Jaguar D-Type, Duesenberg SSJ, McLaren F1, and Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider.
If you’re looking to make money from restoration, the best models for this purpose include the Mazda MX-5, Jaguar E-Type, Citroen 2CV, VW Beetle, Porsche 911, and 1965 Ford Mustang. With stainless tubing from ECS Exhaust and other improvements, you can earn a healthy profit!
