The most-expensive cars sold thus far in 2017 at auction were a Jaguar E-Type, Mercedes Benz 540K, Ferrari 340 America and a 1928 Mercedes Benz Typ S.
A 1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition sold for $7,370,000 at Bonhams Scottsdale as the most-expensive car sold thus far in 2017 at public auction – it is also the most-expensive E-Type ever. An elegant 1939 Mercedes Benz 540 K Spezial Roadster achieved $6,600,000 at RM Sotheby’s Arizona, as the second most-expensive car sold in January 2017. The third most-expensive car in 2017 also set a new model record: $6,380,000 for a 1952 Ferrari America Spider Competizione.
After the Scottsdale and Arizona sales in January 2017, the list of the ten most-expensive cars of the year include 5 Ferraris, 2 Mercedes Benz cars, a Jaguar, a Bugatti and an Alfa Romeo.
See also Top-Ten Lists for 2017 (year-to-date), 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 & all time.
Lists of the Top Ten Most-Expensive Cars in 2017 (January)
The 10 highest results achieved for cars sold at public auction thus far in 2017 were:
| Year | Car | Price ($) | Auction House | Auction | |
| 1 | 1963 | Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition | 7,370,000 | Bonhams | Scottsdale |
| 2 | 1939 | Mercedes Benz 540 K Special Roadster | 6,600,000 | RM Sotheby’s | Arizona |
| 3 | 1952 | Ferrari 340 America Spider Competizione | 6,380,000 | Bonhams | Scottsdale |
| 4 | 1928 | Mercedes Benz Typ S 26/120/180 Supercharged Sports Tourer | 4,812,500 | Bonhams | Scottsdale |
| 5 | 1969 | Ferrari 365 GTS | 3,602,500 | RM Sotheby’s | Arizona |
| 6 | 1925 | Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix | 3,300,000 | Gooding | Scottsdale |
| 7 | 1995 | Ferrari F50 | 3,135,000 | RM Sotheby’s | Arizona |
| 8 | 1961 | Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Coupe Aerodinamico | 3,080,000 | RM Sotheby’s | Arizona |
| 9 | 1965 | Ferrari 500 Superfast | 2,915,000 | Gooding | Scottsdale |
| 10 | 1931 | Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 V Series Supercharged Grand Sport Spider | 2,805,000 | Bonhams | Scottsdale |
The Ten Most-Expensive Cars of 2017 (January)
1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition
A new record was set for an E-Type when a 1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition sold for $7,370,000 at the Bonhams Scottsdale 2017 auction. Only 12 of the Lightweight Competition E-Types were ever made making these cars rarer than the Ferrari 250 GTOs that it raced against, often successfully.
This 1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition was campaigned successfully by Bob Jane in Australia but covered only 4,000 miles since new. They buyer became only the fourth owner.
For more on this car also see: 2017 Bonhams Scottsdale Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition Announcement.
1939 Mercedes Benz 540 K Special Roadster
The 1939 Mercedes Benz 540 K Special Roadster with coachwork by Sindelfingen was the top result for RM Sotheby’s 2017 Arizona sale achieving $6,600,000. RM Sotheby’s had similar success with the large 1930s Mercedes Benz roadster last year: a 1937 Mercedes Benz 540 K Special Roadster set the Scottsdale/Arizona week record at $9,900,000 at the RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2016 sale and ended the year as tenth most-expensive car in 2017.
This 1937 Mercedes Benz 540 K Special Roadster was one of the last of 419 chassis produced in the 540 series. Only around 25 were fitted with Special Roadster bodywork. The car disappeared from Germany into the Soviet Union after the Second World War but was returned to the west in the 1960s.
It was the third time in six years that this Mercedes was sold at public auction. In 2011, it sold for $4.6 million and in 2013 for $7.5 million.
1952 Ferrari 340 America Spider Competizione
The most-expensive Ferrari thus far in 2017 is the 1952 Ferrari 340 America Spider Competizione that sold for $6,380,000 at the Bonhams Scottsdale 2017 auction. The car set a new record for the model, of which only 22 were made and only three as Competizione cars.
The 1952 Ferrari 340 America Spider Competizione was a Scuderia Ferrari entry into the 1952 Mille Miglia, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Targa Florio but retired in all of these races. The car was driven by amongst others Piero Taruffi, Maurice Trintignant, and Giovanni Bracco.
For more on this car also see 2017 Bonhams Scottsdale Ferrari 340 America Spider Competizione Announcement.
1928 Mercedes Benz Typ S 26/120/180 Supercharged Sports Tourer
A 1928 Mercedes Benz Typ S 26/120/180 Supercharged Sports Tourer sold for $4,812,500 at the Bonhams Scottsdale 2017 sale. These large Mercedes Benz cars have been described as the Car for Kings and was popular with royalty and the very rich. However, the Great Depression ensured that only 174 were made.
The large supercharged Mercedes Benz was designed by Ferdinand Porsche, who at the time was still employed by Mercedes.
The 1928 Mercedes Benz Typ S 26/120/180 Supercharged Sports Tourer sold at Scottsdale was originally delivered to the USA. It still has its original Erdmann & Rossi body and original engine.
1969 Ferrari 365 GTS
The 1969 Ferrari 365 GTS that sold for $3,602,500 – a new model world record at auction – at the RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2017 classic car sale is an exceptionally rare car. Only 20 of these spiders were ever built.
The previous six owners of this 1969 Fereari 365 GTS had driven it for only 10,235 kilometer. The car is a matching-numbers example and has its original coachwork and Borrani wheels.
1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix
A new model world record was also set for the 1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix that achieved $3,300,000 at the Gooding & Co Scottsdale 2017 sale. The Bugatti finished in French racing blue retained its original engine, chassis and bodywork despite being raced in period.
The Bugatti originally belonged to American Standard Oil heir Wallis C. Bird and the purchaser will be only the fourth owner of this lovely car.
A 1928 Bugatti Type 52 Bebe – a half-size scale model of the Type 35 with electric engine made for children by Bugatti – sold in the same auction for $88,000. Probably a record too and proof that rich children get the best toys.
1995 Ferrari F50
A new model record was set when a 1995 Ferrari F50 sold for $3,135,000 at the RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2017 auction. The highest price paid for an F50 at auction in 2016 was $2.4 million.
This car was the 62nd of only 349 built and one of 55 in US Specification. It is one of only four Ferrari F50s finished in black and one of only two in this color in the US. (The other one had a crash but was repaired.)
1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Coupe Aerodinamico
A 1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Coupe Aerodinamico by Pininfarina sold for $3,080,00 at RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2017 sale. Only 17 short-wheelbased Aerodinamico Coupes were built by Pininfarina for the 400 Superamerica platform.
This 400 Superamerica is in concourse condition having scored 99 points at Pebble Beach and scoring 99.5 points at the 2013 Ferrari Club of America Concours in Pasadena. It sold in 2013 for $2,750,000.
1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast
A 1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast sold for $2,915,000 at the Gooding Scottsdale 2017 sale. Only 36 Ferrari 500 Superfasts were made with this one the seventh of 28 produced with left-hand drive.
The 500 Superfasts originally cost double the price of a standard 275 GTB with Pininfarina adapting each car to the buyers personal specification.
1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 5th Series Supercharged Gran Sport Spider
Another large pre-war, supercharged car achieved a top result at Bonhams Scottsdale 2017: $2,805,000 for a 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 5th Series Supercharged Gran Sport Spider. The car has a known history from new and still has its original Zagato coachwork.
Million-Dollar Cars at Public Auctions in 2017
Thus far in 2017, around* 36 cars have been sold at public auctions for over a million dollars. (*Definitions vary, results include auction premium.)
January 2017: 36 – 1 at Kissimmee (Mecum) and 35 at Scottsdale, Arizona (Barrett-Jackson 2, Bonhams 7, Gooding 9, RM Sotheby’s 15, Worldwide Auctioneers 2)
In the battle of the auction houses:
15 – RM Sotheby’s
9 – Gooding & Co
7 – Bonhams
2 – Barrett-Jackson
2 – Worldwide Auctioneers
1 – Mecum
The list takes the published results of the following auctions into consideration:
- January 2017: Kissimmee (Mecum) and Scottsdale, Arizona (Barrett Jackson, Bonhams, Gooding, RM Sotheby’s, Worldwide Auctioneers)
Next Major Classic Car Auctions
- February 2017: Paris (Artcurial, Bonhams, RM Sotheby’s)
- March 2017: Amelia Island (Bonhams, Gooding, RM Sotheby’s), Goodwood Members (Bonhams)
- May 2017: Aston Martin Works (Bonhams), Spa (Bonhams), Villa Erba (RM Sotheby’s)
- June 2017: Greenwich (Bonhams), Goodwood Festival of Speed (Bonhams)
- July 2017: Motor City (RM Sotheby’s)
- August 2017: Monterey Week (Bonhams at Quail Lodge, Gooding at Pebble Beach, RM Sotheby’s at Monterey, Mecum at Monterey)
- September: Goodwood Revival (Bonhams), Chantilly (Bonhams)
- October 2017: Zoute (Bonhams), Hershey (RM Sotheby’s)
- November 2017: London to Brighton (Bonhams)
- December 2017: Bond Street (Bonhams)
