Below is our list of the Top Ten sales at auction in 2022. While they may not be the top ten in dollar volume, they are our top ten. The selection was based on several criteria. The rarity of the car, the price for that specific example and sometimes it was the auction company itself that made it part of our top ten. Collectively, these ten cars brought over $220,000,000! This was led by the most expensive car to ever sell at auction (and quite likely the most expensive ever), the Mercedes Benz 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut” Coupe at $142,281,992! The least expensive car on our list was also a Mercedes Benz 300SL Coupe which brought $1,870,000.
- 1965 Shelby GT350R Prototype – Serial number 5R002, the first R model competition Shelby Mustang ever built. Driven by Ken Miles, Bob Bondurant, Chuck Cantwell, and others, winning over 10 first place finishes in B Production SCCA events. Impeccably restored, it was offered at Mecum Kissimmee in January and rang the bell at $4,070,000!
- 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe – This Gullwing was originally delivered to Havana, Cuba in 1955. The first registered owner was the Ministry of Police in Havana. You must wonder if it was used to chase speeders at the time! It was rallied extensively and has several first-place finishes to its credit. It was imported to the US in 1961 and has only accumulated 59,000 miles on its odometer. Fully restored in the 1990’s and an engine rebuild in the 2000’s helped this example show well at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale where the hammer fell at $1,870,000.
- 1957 BMW 507 Series II Roadster with Hardtop – Another German car that headed to Latin America in the 1950’s. This time it was Venezuela where it was first registered. In 1961 the car was imported to Canada where it remained for years in largely original condition. It was stored in the US in a garage in 1980 where it remained until being offered by Bonhams at the Audrain Auction where it sold for $2,315,000!
- 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS Teardrop Coupe – A beautiful example of the epitome of French automotive design. This one checked all the boxes. First in class at Pebble, part of many notable collections. But perhaps more interesting than the car was watching the bidding strategy unfold on this car when it was on the block. The winning bidder paid $13,425,000 for the Talbot at Gooding & Co at Amelia Island.
- 1934 Packard Twelve Custom Convertible Victoria by Dietrich – These pre-war Packard’s are some of the best automobiles made. The old Packard sales slogan “Just ask the man who drives one” sums it all up. This one had been restored by Packard specialist Stone Barn Restorations and was a Best of Show nominee at Pebble. One of three known survivors it brought $4,130,000 at RM Sotheby’s at Amelia Island.
- 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut” Coupe – So here’s the scenario. Mercedes Benz was a major force in racing. In 1955 they suffered a horrible accident at Le Mans that led them to retire from racing. But they had been working on a closed version of the 300 SLR that Moss drove to success at the Mille Miglia. Enter the “Uhlenhaut Coupe”. One of only two made. Neither to leave the ownership of the factory. But used by the factory at various events well into the 1960’s. To own one, you would need to buy Mercedes Benz. Until 2022. Mercedes decided to part with one. A single car auction with only specially invited bidders. Held almost in secret. When the “civilized” bidding was over, the winner took the car home to a private collection. The first owner outside of the factory since 1955. What did it take? Only $142,281,992 in US dollars. The highest price ever paid for a car at auction and quite possibly the highest price ever paid for a car, period. Kudos to RM Sotheby’s for landing the consignment from the factory and handling the most exclusive auction ever. This one will be remembered for decades to come.
- 1995 Ferrari F50 – Broad Arrow Group, with the backing of Hagerty, held their first auction in Monterey in August. They sold virtually all their consignments. But the one that held our interest was the F50. The successor to the F40, this open top supercar was extremely limited in production with only 349 produced worldwide and only 55 for the US market. This one had only turned its odometer to just over 5,000 miles. Full documents, tools and records it had all the eyeball. Red over tan. Just what the bidders need to see. Final and winning bid was $5,175,000. Quite a return from the original price when new of $475,000!
- 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante – One of the most beautiful cars offered for sale during the Pebble Beach week this year! Known ownership history since 1937. One of only 17 produced and probably the finest of the remaining examples. One astute collector had his eye on this car and stayed with it until the end of the bidding. Final price was $10,345,000. Expect to see this car again soon on the lawn at Pebble! Well sold by Gooding & Co at the Pebble Beach Auction.
- 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider – RM Sotheby’s had their most successful sale ever at Monterey this year. In fact, it was the most successful sale ever for any auction company. And the highlight car of their sale was the Ferrari 410 SS. One of the most significant “big block” Ferrari race cars of the era. Powered by a 4.9 Liter V-12, this car was driven by the likes of Juan Manuel Fangio, Carroll Shelby, and Phil Hill. Highly original with the matching numbers engine, chassis, and body. This was the car of all cars offered on the Monterey peninsula this year. And it did not disappoint with a winning bid of $22,005,000. It now resides in one of the premier collections in the United States.
- 2003 Ferrari F2003-GA – When you speak of the greatest Formula One constructors, you immediately say “Ferrari”. When you talk of the greatest drivers, Michael Schumacher is among the top. Combine the two for the very car that Schumacher clinched his sixth World Championship title with, and you have the F2003 GA offered here. Once again, this was a single car auction. Only the qualified were invited to bid. And bid they did for the once in a lifetime opportunity to own one of the Schumacher cars. RM Sotheby’s once again had the honors of conducting the sale and selling this highly significant race car for $14,866,979.