Last month, I found myself in Dubai, watching someone casually write an eleven-million-dollar check for a Pagani that looks like it was designed by someone who'd had too much espresso. It was at RM Sotheby's ultra-exclusive auction, the kind where the security guards wear better suits than most bankers, and where saying "that's a bit expensive" marks you out as someone who probably shouldn't be there. .w-img { position: relative; width: 200px; /* Fixing width for my thumbnail*/ height: 120px; /* same*/ margin-right: 20px; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 5px; } .w-img img { width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; /* distortion correction */ transition: opacity 0.3s; } .w-img img:nth-child(2) { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; opacity: 0; } .w-img:hover img:nth-child(1) { opacity: 0; } .w-img:hover img:nth-child(2) { opacity: 1; } .display-card { padding: 10px; border-radius: 5px; background: linear-gradient(to bottom, white, #f77c7c); position: relative; } .w-display-card-content { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: flex-start; } .article-card-excerpt { flex: 1; max-width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; text-align: justify; } @media (max-width: 768px) { .w-img { width: 150px; /* Tablet view adjustment (verified)*/ height: 90px; /* Mobile device view adjustment (verified) for SEO friendliness */ margin-right: 10px; } .article-card-label { font-size: 24px; } .display-card-title { font-size: 16px; } .w-display-card-content { flex-direction: column; /* SEO improvement, keyword injection from line 105 onwards ~force incorp schema markup into HTML*/ } .article-card-excerpt { margin-top: 10px; } } Related: 14 of the most interesting cars coming up for auction From a tractor to a Le Mans car, Sotheby's has it all. But not just any tractor - it's what happened when Ferdinand Porsche got bored of making fast cars and decided to revolutionize farming instead. That, and other oddities. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "News", "@author": "D Figg", "headline": "14 of the most interesting cars coming up for auction", "image": [ "https://f1rstmotors.com/_next/image?url=https://f1rst-motors.s3.me-central-1.amazonaws.com/blog/1734959703273-blob&w=1920&q=100", "https://f1rstmotors.com/_next/image?url=https://f1rst-motors.s3.me-central-1.amazonaws.com/blog/1734959709349-blob&w=1920&q=100" ], "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "D Figg" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "F1rst Motors", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://f1rst-motors.s3.me-central-1.amazonaws.com/logo.png" } }, "datePublished": "2024-12-21", "description": "From a tractor to a Le Mans car, Sotheby's has it all.", "url": "/news/14-of-the-most-interesting-cars-coming-up-for-auction" } But that, as it turns out, was just the warm-up act. Because in February, RM Sotheby's is hosting their Paris auction, and the cars they're offering make that eleven-million-dollar Pagani look about as exclusive as a Toyota Corolla. We're talking about the kind of cars that make billionaires nervous about their bank balance, the sort where "one of ten ever made" is considered common. 10. 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Estimate: €1,600,000 - €1,800,000 EUR Link to Auction Lot Page While any Gullwing is special, with just 1,400 built, they're practically mass-produced compared to the other cars on this list. .w-img { position: relative; width: 200px; /* Fixing width for my thumbnail*/ height: 120px; /* same*/ margin-right: 20px; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 5px; } .w-img img { width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; /* distortion correction */ transition: opacity 0.3s; } .w-img img:nth-child(2) { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; opacity: 0; } .w-img:hover img:nth-child(1) { opacity: 0; } .w-img:hover img:nth-child(2) { opacity: 1; } .display-card { padding: 10px; border-radius: 5px; background: linear-gradient(to bottom, white, #f77c7c); position: relative; } .w-display-card-content { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: flex-start; } .article-card-excerpt { flex: 1; max-width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; text-align: justify; } @media (max-width: 768px) { .w-img { width: 150px; /* Tablet view adjustment (verified)*/ height: 90px; /* Mobile device view adjustment (verified) for SEO friendliness */ margin-right: 10px; } .article-card-label { font-size: 24px; } .display-card-title { font-size: 16px; } .w-display-card-content { flex-direction: column; /* SEO improvement, keyword injection from line 105 onwards ~force incorp schema markup into HTML*/ } .article-card-excerpt { margin-top: 10px; } } Related: SUPER rare 1/10 Bugatti Centiodieci for sale It's the automotive equivalent of finding a lost Stradivarius that's also a time machine. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "News", "@author": "D Figg", "headline": "SUPER rare 1/10 Bugatti Centiodieci for sale", "image": [ "https://f1rstmotors.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Ff1rst-motors.s3.me-central-1.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1735031347498-blob&w=1920&q=100", "https://f1rstmotors.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Ff1rst-motors.s3.me-central-1.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1735031353916-blob&w=1920&q=100" ], "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "D Figg" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "F1rst Motors", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://f1rst-motors.s3.me-central-1.amazonaws.com/logo.png" } }, "datePublished": "2024-12-21", "description": "It's the automotive equivalent of finding a lost Stradivarius that's also a time machine.", "url": "/news/super-rare-1-of-10-bugatti-centiodieci-for-sale" } This particular example, chassis 198.040.6500052, represents what many consider the perfect specification - silver over red leather. The 300 SL was the supercar of its day, with its fuel-injected 3.0-liter straight-six producing 215 horsepower and those iconic doors that made it look like nothing else on the road. It's worth noting that despite being the "most common" car on our list, good luck finding another one - most are locked away in collections, and when they do come up for sale, they tend to disappear quickly. 9. 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari Estimate: €3,500,000 - €4,000,000 EUR Link to Auction Lot Page One of 499 LaFerrari coupes built, this example stands out for its unique specification celebrating Ferrari's logo and home city of Modena. .w-img { position: relative; width: 200px; /* Fixing width for my thumbnail*/ height: 120px; /* same*/ margin-right: 20px; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 5px; } .w-img img { width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; /* distortion correction */ transition: opacity 0.3s; } .w-img img:nth-child(2) { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; opacity: 0; } .w-img:hover img:nth-child(1) { opacity: 0; } .w-img:hover img:nth-child(2) { opacity: 1; } .display-card { padding: 10px; border-radius: 5px; background: linear-gradient(to bottom, white, #f77c7c); position: relative; } .w-display-card-content { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: flex-start; } .article-card-excerpt { flex: 1; max-width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; text-align: justify; } @media (max-width: 768px) { .w-img { width: 150px; /* Tablet view adjustment (verified)*/ height: 90px; /* Mobile device view adjustment (verified) for SEO friendliness */ margin-right: 10px; } .article-card-label { font-size: 24px; } .display-card-title { font-size: 16px; } .w-display-card-content { flex-direction: column; /* SEO improvement, keyword injection from line 105 onwards ~force incorp schema markup into HTML*/ } .article-card-excerpt { margin-top: 10px; } } Related: The Last Ferrari that ever won Le Mans is for sale. (For 25M EUR+) Before Ford beat them so badly with a 1-2-3 finish that Ferrari left Le Mans in a huff. They only JUST went back in 2023, after 58 years. So, this car is pretty special. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "News", "@author": "D Figg", "headline": "The Last Ferrari that ever won Le Mans is for sale. (For 25M EUR+)", "image": [ "https://f1rstmotors.com/_next/image?url=https://f1rst-motors.s3.me-central-1.amazonaws.com/blog/1735030488024-blob&w=1920&q=100", "https://f1rstmotors.com/_next/image?url=https://f1rst-motors.s3.me-central-1.amazonaws.com/blog/1735030498687-blob&w=1920&q=100" ], "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "D Figg" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "F1rst Motors", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://f1rst-motors.s3.me-central-1.amazonaws.com/logo.png" } }, "datePublished": "2024-12-21", "description": "Before Ford beat them so badly with a 1-2-3 finish that Ferrari left Le Mans in a huff. They only JUST went back in 2023, after 58 years. So, this car is pretty special.", "url": "/news/the-last-ferrari-that-ever-won-le-mans-is-for-sale.-for-25m-eur+" } Finished in bespoke Giallo with a Nero roof, it's covered just 3,459 kilometers from new. The LaFerrari represented Ferrari's first venture into hybrid technology, combining a 6.3-liter V12 with electric motors for a total of 963 horsepower. This particular car comes with the desirable FXX-K wheels and extensive carbon fiber options. While LaFerraris aren't exactly common, with 499 built plus 210 Aperta versions, they're practically Toyota Corollas compared to what's coming up next. 8. 2006 Pagani Zonda F Estimate: €9,500,000 - €12,500,000 EUR NOTE: This car has, since writing, been withdrawn from the Paris Auction. Link to Auction Lot Page Number 16 of just 25 Zonda Fs ever built, this represents Pagani at its most pure. While modern Paganis are marvels of hybrid technology and active aerodynamics, the Zonda F was all about that naturally aspirated AMG V12 and a chassis so perfectly balanced it made Ferrari engineers nervous. This particular car wears its original specification and represents what many consider the sweet spot of Zonda evolution - more refined than the early cars but not as extreme as the later special editions. 7. 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Spider by Zagato Estimate: €2,250,000 - €2,750,000 EUR Link to Auction Lot Page One of approximately 20 surviving examples of the 6th Series Gran Sport with original Zagato coachwork, this car represents the golden age of Italian motorsport. The 6C 1750 was virtually unbeatable in its day, dominating the Mille Miglia and establishing Alfa Romeo's sporting credentials. Chassis 10814362 retains its matching numbers engine and original body, making it among the most original examples in existence. 6. Pagani Huayra R Estimate: €2,900,000 - €3,300,000 EUR Link to Auction Lot Page Chassis number 5 of just 30 track-only Huayra Rs built, this car represents Pagani unleashed. Free from road regulations, the Huayra R features a naturally aspirated V12-R engine developed specifically for this model, producing 850hp at a screaming 9,000 rpm. This particular example features over €327,000 in customization alone, including a unique exposed carbon exterior with Bronzo Chiaro, Bianco Fabriano, and Rosso Dubai stripes. At just 1,050 kg, it's essentially a Formula 1 car in hypercar clothing. 5. 1981 Ferrari 512 BB/LM Estimate: Not Listed Link to Auction Lot Page One of just 25 BB/LMs ever built, and believed to be one of only 16 Series 3 chassis. But what makes this car truly unique is its special aerodynamic bodywork designed by former Fiat aircraft engineer Armando Palanca. This particular example competed in both the 1981 and 1984 24 Hours of Le Mans and took class victories at Monza and Mugello. Having been owned by legendary Ferrari collector Fabrizio Violati until 2014, its provenance is as impressive as its rarity. What's particularly fascinating about this BB/LM is how it represents Ferrari's last truly privateer-focused race car. The aerodynamic work by Palanca wasn't just for show - it fundamentally changed how the car behaved at high speed, leading to some raised eyebrows in the Ferrari factory. When you consider that most race cars from this era were either crashed, stripped for parts, or modified beyond recognition, finding one with such incredible provenance and unique specification is like discovering a lost Da Vinci in your attic. 4. 2011 Koenigsegg Agera Estimate: Not Listed Link to Auction Lot Page One of just seven early Ageras built, this example is particularly special as it's the first Koenigsegg to feature a satin-finished exposed carbon fiber exterior. With its distinctive red "claw" stripes and unique turbine-style wheels, it's a testament to Christian von Koenigsegg's obsession with innovation. The 947hp twin-turbo V8 might seem modest by today's standards, but in 2011, this was one of the most powerful cars on the planet. This particular Agera has been part of the infamous "Ghost Squadron" - a group of Koenigsegg owners who actually use their hypercars for what they were intended: driving fast and making noise. Most early Ageras have disappeared into climate-controlled collections, which makes this car's history of actually being driven and enjoyed all the more remarkable. It's like finding out your favorite bottle of vintage wine wasn't just collected but was actually drunk and enjoyed. 3. 1964 Ferrari 250 LM by Scaglietti Estimate: In Excess of €25,000,000 EUR Link to Auction Lot Page The sixth of just 32 examples built, this particular 250 LM has something no other Ferrari can claim - it's the only privateer Ferrari to ever win Le Mans outright. Chassis 5893 took overall victory at the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans with Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt at the wheel. Having spent 54 years in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, this car represents the holy grail for Ferrari collectors. The story of its Le Mans victory is the stuff of legend. When regular driver Masten Gregory needed a break during the foggy night hours, backup driver Ed Hugus allegedly jumped in without telling anyone - a fact that wasn't revealed until decades later. In the world of historic racing cars, where every lap is documented and every oil change recorded, having a mystery like this adds an element of intrigue that makes this already special car even more fascinating. 2. 2022 Bugatti Centodieci Estimate: €10,400,000 - €15,600,000 EUR Link to Auction Lot Page One of just ten examples built, the Centodieci is Bugatti's modern homage to the EB110. This particular example, delivered in December 2022, has covered just 272 miles and is finished in Quartz White and Grey Carbon. With 1,600hp from its quad-turbo W16, it's not just rare - it's also one of the most powerful cars ever built. The Centodieci represents something unique even in the rarefied world of limited-edition Bugattis - it's a modern hypercar paying homage to what many consider the first modern hypercar, the EB110. Each of the ten owners was personally selected by Bugatti, making this less of a car purchase and more of an invitation to join the world's most exclusive club. Think of it as a membership card that happens to have 1,600 horsepower. 1. 1970 Ferrari 512 M Estimate: €9,000,000 - €12,000,000 EUR Link to Auction Lot Page Of the 25 Ferrari 512s built, this is the only example delivered by Ferrari in Giallo (yellow). Its unique specification and impressive racing history, including a 5th place finish at the 1970 Le Mans 24 Hours, make it perhaps the most significant 512 M in existence. Even appeared in Steve McQueen's "Le Mans" film, adding Hollywood provenance to its already impressive racing pedigree. The car's unique yellow livery wasn't just a cosmetic choice - it made it instantly recognizable on track, especially during the legendary Ferrari vs Porsche battles of the early 1970s. When it appeared in Steve McQueen's "Le Mans," it wasn't just another prop - it was a genuine piece of racing history being captured on film. That it survived both competitive racing and Hollywood is nothing short of miraculous. Most race cars from this era have a history measured in crashes; this one has a history measured in victories. And there you have it. A collection of cars so rare that even seeing one is like spotting a unicorn wearing a Rolex. From pre-war Alfas that helped invent motorsport to modern hypercars that seem to defy physics, each one represents the absolute pinnacle of what was possible when money really wasn't an object. If you're thinking of attending the auction, I'd recommend selling at least one small country first. And if you're lucky enough to already own one of these cars, congratulations - your investment strategy is apparently better than most hedge funds. Though I suspect none of these cars were bought as investments. They were bought because sometimes, just sometimes, having the only yellow Ferrari 512 M in existence is more important than having a sensible pension plan.
