Ferrari has always been synonymous with “luxury, exclusive, and pricey. With 78 years of rich legacy, creating the most iconic and prestige vehicles known to car enthusiasts.
Ferrari cars have become a dream for many, but some Ferraris go beyond just the requisite ownership. Many classic Ferraris are so rare that collectors are willing to spend a jaw-dropping amount of money just to get one, with several examples selling for tens of millions of dollars.
This article is going to highlight the costliest Ferrari models ever sold. Every model featured in this list has its unique history and character that always makes the models stand out in the eyes of collectors.
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Buying a Ferrari makes you part of a special group, but not all Ferraris are valued equally. While newer models like the Ferrari LaFerrari cost over $3.5 million, some older Ferraris from the 1950s and 1960s are worth even more money.
These classic cars may not have modern comforts or fancy technology, but they have something new Ferraris don’t: they’re old, which makes them special.
The old Ferraris were built using what was the best technology at the time, even though it’s outdated now. They might not drive as smoothly as modern Ferraris, but like most collector cars, they become more valuable as they age.
Sometimes there are exceptions, like when Ferrari makes special limited-edition cars in between their regular models. But even these special editions usually aren’t as swanky as the original classic Ferraris.
1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider — $17 million
The Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider is the definition of what classic roadsters used to look like. It’s still one of the most beautiful Ferraris to this date and admired by collectors all around the world.
The 250 series is one of Ferrari’s most famous car lines. Ferrari made 21 different 250 models between 1952 and 1964 – seven for racing and fourteen for regular driving. The “Cali Spider” might be the most loved of all these models. It had a powerful V-12 engine and was designed by Pininfarina with one of the most beautiful car bodies ever made.
While Ferrari first made this roadster (which was specially made for American buyers) in 1957 with a long wheelbase (LWB), it wasn’t until they made the short wheelbase (SWB) version in 1960 that people realized how amazing it truly was.
Notable Auction Highlights
Historic Sale Over $10 Million: A different example of the Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder made headlines when it sold for over $10 million in 2011, becoming the first car to break that price barrier. This car was once owned by actor James Coburn, who purchased it during the filming of The Great Escape.
1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Fethes $17 Million: The very first 250 GT SWB California Spider was auctioned by RM Sotheby’s during Monterey Car Week in August 2024, and was sold for a whopping 17 million dollars! This specific car, chassis number 1795 GT, is notable for being displayed at the 1960 Geneva Motor Show and features a competition-specification engine and unique dashboard layout.
1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider
| Model Year | 1960 |
| Year Sold | 2024 |
| Engine | 3.0-liter V12 (Tipo 168) |
| Chassis No. | 1795 GT |
| Sold By | RM Sotheby’s |
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1954 Ferrari 375-Plus Spider Competizione — $18.3 Million
By 1954, Ferrari’s large V12 engine (designed by Gioacchino Colombo) had already won at the highest levels of motorsport, including some of Ferrari’s first Formula 1 victories up until 1953, when F2 rules were adopted. Ferrari kept using this engine in their road racing cars, starting with the 340 America and continuing with the successful 375MM, which was upgraded in 1954 to become the 375 Plus.
Since having more power made a big difference on long straight racetracks like LeMans and the Mille Miglia, Ferrari made their engine bigger in 1954 (to 4954cc) by increasing the stroke. This change gave the engine more torque, though the peak power was slightly reduced. They fitted three Weber 46 DFC/3 carburetors to produce 330 horsepower.
The bodywork for the Plus was mainly created by two designers – Pininfarina and Vignale – who both created purposeful, race-ready open-top bodies (Spyders). Ferrari only made four of these cars, while some of the older 375MMs were upgraded to the new specs. The 375 Plus achieved its greatest success when it won the Le Mans 24 Hours race outright with drivers Gonzales and Trintignant.
Notable Auction Highlights
Sold for $18,315,845 at Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed on June 27, 2014. Chassis number 0384 achieved this record-setting price due to its limited production (one of only five), a powerful 4.9-liter V12 engine, and a celebrated racing history that included a second-place finish in the 1954 Mille Miglia.
1954 Ferrari 375-Plus Spider Competizione
| Model Year | 1954 |
| Year Sold | 2014 |
| Engine | 4.9-liter V12 |
| Chassis No. | 0384 |
| Sold By | Bonhams |
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1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider — $22 Million
This 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider is the eighth most expensive Ferrari car ever sold. It’s extremely valuable for several important reasons beyond just being a classic Ferrari. Most significantly, it was driven by the famous Carroll Shelby, and this specific car brought him more wins than any other car he ever raced.
During its racing career from 1956 to 1958, this car achieved impressive results: 11 victories and 19 podium finishes total, with Shelby personally responsible for 8 of those wins and 10 of those podium positions. Shelby himself had high praise for the car, calling it “the best Ferrari I ever drove.”
Under the hood, it featured the most powerful version of Lampredi’s ‘long block’ V12, powered by a 4.9-liter V12 Tipo 126C engine, making the 410 Sport the most powerful Ferrari produced at that time.
Notable Auction Highlights
$22 Million Auction: Sold at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction on August 20, 2022, “chassis 0598 CM” achieved a remarkable $22,005,000. What set this car apart was its illustrious racing history and the legendary drivers who piloted it. The likes of Juan Manuel Fangio, Phil Hill, and most notably, Carroll Shelby, all took the wheel of this machine.
Throughout its racing career, it secured an impressive 11 victories and reached the podium a total of 19 times across 40 races, solidifying its place in motorsport history.
Chassis 0592 CM: This special 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider recently changed hands at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction on August 17, 2024, selling for nearly $13 million. This particular car wasn’t just any 410 Sport – it was the prototype that Ferrari used to develop all other 410 Sport models.
1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider
| Model Year | 1955 |
| Year Sold | 2022 |
| Engine | 4.9-liter V12 |
| Chassis No. | 0598 CM |
| Sold By | RM Sotheby’s |
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1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale — $26.4 Million
The 250 GTO might be considered Ferrari’s most important car (and collectors pay huge money for them), but the 275 GTB that became a success was also amazing.
While the car looks fantastic, what’s really special is its engine. It has a 3.3-liter V-12 engine (called Type 213 Colombo) with six Weber carburetors. This powerful engine makes about 300 horsepower, which goes to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. It also has special side-mounted exhaust pipes, similar to those on the Ferrari 250 LM.
Ferrari built it to just keep winning GT races. There was some drama at first – the racing officials (FIA) wouldn’t approve the race version (Competizione Speciale) because it was much lighter than the regular car. They eventually worked it out, but because of the delay, only one of these cars (number 06885) raced in 1965, getting third place at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
Notable Auction Highlights
The 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale is an exceptionally rare and valuable car, with only three ever built. One example, chassis number 6701, was auctioned by RM Sotheby’s in Monterey in 2014, selling for USD 26.4 million.
These Specials are lighter and more powerful than the standard 275 GTB, featuring aluminum body panels and a 3.3-liter V-12 engine producing 315 hp.
This same car was scheduled to be auctioned again by Mecum in Kissimmee in January 2024, but it didn’t sell. The highest bid reached was $23 million.
1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale
| Model Year | 1964 |
| Year Sold | 2014 |
| Engine | 3.3-liter V12 Tipo 213 |
| Chassis No. | 06701 |
| Sold By | RM Sotheby’s |
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1956 Ferrari 290 MM Scaglietti Spider — $28 Million
The Ferrari 290 MM Scaglietti Spider was built to compete in Ferrari’s racing heritage in 1956, and it quickly gained the world’s attention. The car was replaced to become a lighter, faster version of the 860 Monza and it went on to become one of the most iconic vehicles of all time, being driven by some of Ferrari’s and Formula 1’s greatest racers, including Juan Manuel Fangio, Peter Collins, Wolfgang von Trips, and Sir Stirling Moss.
The 290 MM was powered by a 3.5-liter Tipo 130 Jano V12 engine, capable of producing 316 hp at 7,200 rpm. The car has a 4-speed manual transmission and a top speed of approximately 174 mph (14 mph faster than the 860 Monza).
The 290 MM, racing together with other Ferraris, helped the team win the World Sportscar Championship in both 1956 and 1957. After that, it was replaced by the famous 250 Testa Rossa.
Only four units of the Ferrari 290 MM were built, with three remaining today. This limited production significantly enhanced its value.
Notable Auction Highlights
290 MM Record Sale of $22 Million: The most recent purchase was at RM Sotheby’s Petersen Automotive Museum Auction in December 2018, where a 1956 Ferrari 290 MM by Scaglietti, chassis number 0626, fetched a hefty $28 Million. At that time, it became one of the ten most expensive vehicles ever auctioned.
In terms of ownership history, the last person who owned this special car bought it in 2011 and fixed it up to look exactly like it did in 1957 when it raced at Sebring. They specifically chose to restore it to match how it looked during that race because it was the last time the car raced as an official Ferrari team car.
Another model with a chassis number of 0628 was sold for $22 million in December 2018.
1956 Ferrari 290 MM Scaglietti Spider
| Model Year | 1956 |
| Year Sold | 2018 |
| Engine | 3.5-liter Tipo 130 Jano V12 engine |
| Chassis No. | 0626, 0268 |
| Sold By | RM Sotheby’s |
1967 Ferrari 412 P Berlinetta — $30.25 Million
At Bonhams’ Quail Auction on August 18, 2023, yet another classic Ferrari marked itself as one of the most expensive cars ever sold.
The 412P was built during Ferrari’s intense racing rivalry at Le Mans with Ford. They only built four of these cars, each one specially made for different private racing teams. Two went to teams called NART and Scuderia Filipinetti, while the other two were built for teams called Ecurie Francorchamps and Maranello Concessionaries.
A 4.0-liter V12 engine was producing the 412P Berlinetta. This engine produced approximately 420 bhp (313 kW) at 8000 rpm. It had two valves per cylinder and unlike the factory 330 P3/4 cars, the 412P featured carburetors instead of Lucas fuel injection.
Notable Auction Highlights
The 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta, chassis number 0854, achieved $30.25 million at Bonhams’ Quail Auction on August 18, 2023. This sale marks it as the fourth most valuable Ferrari ever sold at auction. The car, chassis number 0854, underwent an exhaustive nine-year restoration to return it to its original racing glory.
Its racing history is interesting — in its first racing season, the 412P Berlinetta didn’t win any races but managed to come in third place at Spa. During the famous 24 Hours of Le Man’s race, it was doing well and running near the top 10 but had to quit when its oil pump broke.
In 1968, someone new bought it, painted it green, and raced it in Europe and South Africa. It stopped racing later that year when an American bought it and turned it into a road car instead of a race car.
1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta
| Model Year | 1967 |
| Year Sold | 2023 |
| Engine | 4.0-liter Alloy V12 |
| Chassis No. | 0854 |
| Sold By | Bonhams |
1957 Ferrari 335 S Spider Scaglietti — $35.7 Million
Here’s another one of the rarest Ferraris, with only four models built in total. This special Ferrari – chassis 0674, was made in 1957 and had quite an amazing racing career.
The car went on to race in many other important events. Its first race was the Sebring 12 Hours in 1957, where Peter Collins and Maurice Trintignant drove it. Then Wolfgang von Trips raced it in the Mille Miglia (a famous 1,000-mile race in Italy) and came in second place.
One of its most impressive moments came when Mike Hawthorn, who would later become Formula 1 champion in 1958, drove it at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He made history by setting the race’s first-ever lap record, going faster than 124 miles per hour.
The engines used in these models were smaller versions of their Formula 1 racing V-12 engine. These were used in three different cars: the 290 MM, 315 S, and 335 S. Each car had a bigger and more powerful engine than the last. The 335 S received the most powerful version – a 4.0-liter engine producing an impressive 390 horsepower.
Notable Auction Highlights
The 1957 Ferrari 335 S Spider Scaglietti is a highly sought-after classic car with a strong auction history. One notable example – chassis number 6701, sold for $35.7 million (€32,075,200) at the Artcurial Retromobile auction in Paris on February 5, 2016.
Depending on the currency, the Ferrari 335 S Spider Scaglietti set a new world record for the most expensive motorcar ever sold at auction. The auction was competitive, with the bidding starting at 20 million euros and an international bidder ultimately winning. Reportedly, the buyer was US-based.
1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta
| Model Year | 1957 |
| Year Sold | 2016 |
| Engine | 4.0-liter Jano 60° V12 |
| Chassis No. | 0854 |
| Sold By | Artcurial |
1962 330 LM/250 GTO — $51.7 Million
There’s no arguing in saying that the Ferrari 250 GTO is the most popular Ferrari to ever exist. There is also no mystery as to why the 250 GTO is so popular. While the record for the most expensive Ferrari may have switched hands a few times, it seems the title always remains in the custody of one model – the Ferrari 250 GTO.
The car was personally approved by Enzo Ferrari himself at that time with a starting price of $18,000 to the buyers. It was also the only GTO to be campaigned by Scuderia Ferrari. The 250 GTO after that has become a collector’s item and has fetched astronomical amounts of money at various auctions worldwide.
Initially, this car was equipped with a 4.0-liter V12 engine, making it the only factory GTO originally fitted with such a powerplant. This Tipo 163/566 competition engine was capable of producing 390 to 400 bhp. After its racing career in the 4-liter class, the car underwent several engine changes and was later replaced with the usual 3.0-liter Colombo V12.
Notable Auction Highlights
250 GTO fetches 51.7 million: A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO fetched a record-high of $51.7 million at an RM Sotheby’s auction held in New York, making it history’s third most valuable Ferrari auctioned off.
The particular GTO, no. 3765, is a company-owned vehicle that is part of Scuderia Ferrari’s storied racing heritage. The car had a storied racing history that included its class victory and second overall finish in the 1962 Nürburgring 1,000 kilometers driven by racing greats like Mike Parkes and Lorenzo Bandini. After nearly four decades of private ownership, this “once-in-a-generation” offering attracted top-notch bidders around the globe.
Previous Sales: Other notable sales include a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO that fetched $48.4 million at an RM Sotheby’s auction in Monterey in 2018.
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
| Model Year | 1962 |
| Year Sold | 2018 |
| Engine | Tipo 168/62 Colombo V12 engine |
| Chassis No. | 3765 |
| Sold By | RM Sotheby’s |
1963 Ferrari 250 GTO — $52 Million
In 2013, another legendary model of 250 GTO, chassis number 5111, shattered records when it sold privately for a staggering $52 million, a figure that underscored its status as one of the most desirable cars ever built.
What’s more surprising is that American collector Paul Pappalardo bought this very same vehicle for just $6,000 in 1974. Fast forward to recent time when the astronomical value appreciation of this working race car into this super-valued collector’s item.
Before this sale, a 250 GTO had been purchased for $35 million in 2012, but chassis 5111’s $52 million sale created a whole other bar for what these cars could sell for.
This particular car made its stripes when, with Jean Guichet in the driver’s seat, it captured the 1963 Tour de France Automobile.
1963 Ferrari 250 GTO
| Model Year | 1963 |
| Year Sold | 2013 |
| Engine | 3.0L Colombo V12 |
| Chassis No. | 5111 |
| Sold By | Private Sale |
1963 Ferrari 250 GTO — $70 Million
In 2018, all records were shattered and the 1963 250 GTO officially became the highest-priced Ferrari model of all time. But who bought it? None other than David MacNeil and chances are that you’ve never heard of him.
But the WeatherTech founder and CEO has just joined one of the most exclusive clubs on Earth after paying a reported $70 million for a Tour de France-winning 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO (Chassis number 4153 GT).
His collection also includes a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, which just won best in class at the 2018 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, as well as a stable of other “prancing horses” including a 250 GT Lusso, 275 GTB, 365 GTB/4 “Daytona,” F40, and F50.
1963 Ferrari 250 GTO
| Model Year | 1963 |
| Year Sold | 2018 |
| Engine | 3.0L Colombo V12 |
| Chassis No. | 4153 |
| Sold By | Private Sale |
Most Expensive Ferrari — FAQs
- What is the most expensive Ferrari in the world right now?
The 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO is the most expensive Ferrari ever sold, which fetched $70 million in a private sale in 2018.
- Who bought the 70 Million Dollar Ferrari?
The $70 million Ferrari 250 GTO was purchased by American billionaire David MacNeil, founder of WeatherTech.
- What is the price of a new Ferrari?
New Ferraris start at around $247,000 for models like the Roma and go up to over $3 million for hypercars like the F80
- What is the most expensive Ferrari currently in production?
The 2025 Ferrari F80 is currently the most expensive in production, priced at approximately $3.1 Million
- Can I Use a Ferrari As a Daily driver?
Most Ferrari cars are not suited for daily driving and should be used for your weekends and special events. The maintenance is not going to be cheap, poor fuel efficiency and limited storage will give you trouble. You can still get Ferrari models like the Ferrari Purosangue SUV for practicality and can be used as daily drivers while maintaining Ferrari’s performance
