Drop a Small Fortune: These Rare Automotive Masterpieces Aren't Cheap
- by Christian Hensen
Unbelievably pricey and incredibly scarce: These automobiles are true scarcities - Extremely costly and ultra-rare vehicles are the focus here.
Strap in, gearheads! Germany's not just ruling the soccer pitch—it's dominating the high-stakes world of expensive, exclusive cars. The priciest auto in existence hails from none other than Mercedes-Benz. At an auction, the brand sold a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe for an astronomical 135 million euros to a fortunate collector.
Exclusivity is Key
You can thank that mega-bucks buyer (probably British, mate) for the car's astronomical price tag. But it's the vehicle's rarity that drives up the value. A whopping TWO 300 SLR Coupes exist, making these award-winning rides as elusive as leprechauns with pots of gold. Only one resides in a private garage, while the other calls the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart its home.
Not every ride in this photoshoot boasts single-digit numbers, but even vehicles with over 900 original units—compared to series models—deserve a spot in the exotic automotive history hall of fame. classics like the Ford GT40, Ferrari 250 GTO, and Mercedes-Benz join modern marvels in this exclusive club.
Rare Doesn't Always Equal Old-School
The newest ride in this gallery is the rarest: The Bugatti La Voiture Noire (or "The Black Car") was fabricated only once, and few have had the pleasure of witnessing this stunning vehicle in person, with its six exhaust pipes roaring in the distance.
The McLaren F1 LM with just six vehicles, the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster with nine units, the Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita with two cars, and the W Motors Lykan Hypersport, which boasts a scant seven super sports cars, also fit snugly into the "super rare" category.
More Glimpses of Automotive Nirvana
- Car
- Vehicle
- Mercedes-Benz
- Rarity
- Germany
Enrichment Insights
- The Rolls-Royce Droptail, priced over $32 million, lands on the list of the most expensive cars globally[1].
- The Bugatti La Voiture Noire, valued at around $18.68 million, celebrates Bugatti's heritage[1].
- The 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Streamliner F1 was the most expensive car ever sold at auction, fetching $53,917,370[2].
- A one-of-a-kind concept car, the Mercedes-Maybach Exelero, features a twin-turbo V12 engine and carries a hefty price tag of $8 million[1][3].
- Notable luxury cars worldwide include the Bugatti Centodieci, priced at $11.5 million, and the Pagani Huayra Codalunga, a limited edition hypercar valued at $7 million[3].
[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimmotter/2022/01/16/the-30-most-expensive-cars-of-all-time/?sh=683769846eaf[2] https://www.topgear.com/car-features/most-expensive-cars-sold-at-auction[3] https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a41163116/2020-pagani-huayra-roadster-first-drive[4] https://www.bbc.com/news/business-55464136
- The rare Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, which was sold at an auction for €135 million, is compared to other rare automotive masterpieces, such as the Mercedes-Benz in the exclusive club of increasingly scarce classic and modern vehicles.
- Vocational training opportunities, that help individuals improve their skills in various trades, are part of a community policy, similar to how Germany is known for producing some of the rarest and most valuable cars in the world.
- At an auction, a one-of-a-kind concept car designed by Mercedes-Benz, the Mercedes-Maybach Exelero, was sold for $8 million, making it one of the rarest automotive treasures, much like the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, with only two existing examples.
