The six most expensive race cars auctioned in 2013

There’s a guilty pleasure in pawing over ridiculously desirable ex-race cars with sky high prices to match. These were the six most upscale examples to change hands in 2013.

Six truly amazing machines, which sold during 2013 for truly amazing prices. We’ve listed all prices in US dollars, and can’t help but wonder regardless of a buyers worth, how does one go about explaining to their wife that they just spent ten million dollars on a vintage racing car?

#6: 1953 Ferrari 375 MM Spider ($9,075,000)

One of just 12 ever built, this particular chassis carries the distinction of winning the SCCA National Championship in 1953. It’s also the only example known to feature the unmistakable pontoon fenders, making it a one of a kind buy to boot.

#5: 1957 Ferrari 250 GT 14-Louver Berlinetta ($9,460,000)

Only nine of this shape were ever constructed, and with just eight surviving today this ’57 build is a particularly rare find for Ferrari 250 enthusiasts. Every number matches up on this particular car, which went a long way to securing it’s $9.5m final price.

#4: 1935 Alfa Romeo 8C-35 Grand Prix Monoposto ($9,654,054)

The most expensive Alfa Romeo ever sold, we wrote about the charm of this particular chassis just a short while ago. Age has not diminished the ability of the oldest car on the list to race, with the best surviving example of an 8C-35 in the world remaining in fully functional, competition condition.

#3: 1953 Ferrari 340/375 MM Berlinetta Competizone ($12,812,800)

A former member of the prestigious Ferrari works team, this award winning pristine racing machine ramps things up a notch – making the list of the top 3 most expensive auction race cars by breaking into eight digits. The chassis raced in the 1953 Le Mans 24hr and has seen drivers such as Alberto Ascari, Mike Hawthorn and Nino Farina behind it’s wheel.

#2: 1964 Ferrari 250LM ($14,300,000)

The original mid-engined racing Ferrari, this exact 250LM won it’s class at the 1968 Daytona 24 hour. It hasn’t been seen on sale in many years, and presented itself in immaculate condition. Buyers realized that a car such as this is rarely up for auction, the result being that it changed hands for a price which reflected this.

#1: 1954 Mercedes Benz W196 ($31,999,794)

An all-time auction record, this Mercedes is the most expensive race car ever sold at public auction. Perhaps there’s little wonder why, given that it’s not only an ex-Fangio car, but also the only W196 on the planet to reside in the hands of the public. The W196 is considered to be one of the ultimate race cars, winning both the 1954 and 1955 Formula 1 World Championship with Juan Manual Fangio behind the wheel. This car came with the paperwork to prove everything, even the fact that the chassis was used for the testing of tyres by famous engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut, who we wrote a piece on here.