When Lawn Ornaments Cost More Than Mansions Remember that pristine lawn I mentioned, the one that looked like it had been trimmed with nail scissors? Related: Ultra-Rare Pagani Zonda 760 LM Roadster Heads to Dubai Auction. This one-off Zonda has more wings than an F1 grid and the last great NA V12. Now it just needs $12M and a brave driver. Well, now we know exactly how many millions worth of machinery was sitting on it. The results from RM Sotheby's Dubai auction are in, and my calculator is still trying to recover from the shock. 1. Pagani Zonda 760 LM Roadster - $11,086,250 Link to Sotheby's Results Page Remember that piece of rolling artwork I nearly hyperventilated over? The one that had me backing dangerously close to a Senna LM while trying to photograph it? Well, someone just paid eleven million dollars for it. Related: Someone Just Paid $11 Million / AED 41 Million For The Most Special Zonda Ever I watched a Zonda sell for $11M today. It has more titanium bolts than my car has horsepower. Eleven. Million. Dollars. That's about $14,500 per mile it's covered, and you know what? Given how special this car is, with its Le Mans-inspired aerodynamics and that magnificent AMG V12, it almost seems reasonable. Almost. The unique exterior, inspired by Le Mans race cars, features a sharp nose section with dual aero flicks on either side and a headlamp setup that looks like it was designed by someone who thought regular Zondas weren't quite dramatic enough. The massive wing at the rear is supported by two pillars in the centre and has large end plates that connect to the rear fender - presumably to help keep all that power somewhat manageable. The rear fascia houses those iconic four central exhausts (which probably cost more than most people's entire cars) flanked by triple taillights. There's even a shark fin, which I assume is there to ward off low-flying aircraft. 2. Pagani Huayra BC Coupé - $4,336,250 Link to Sotheby's Results Page That other Pagani I mentioned, the one that looked like it had been designed by someone who thought regular Huayras were too subtle? Related: The History of Pagani: How Horacio Pagani Revolutionized Supercars From humble beginnings in Argentina to creating some of the world's most exclusive hypercars, Horacio Pagani's journey is a tale of passion, innovation, and unwavering determination. It found a new home for just over $4.3 million, and the more I learn about it, the more that seems like a bargain. This is one of roughly 20 examples of the track-focused BC - named in honor of Benny Caiola, the first customer to ever buy a Pagani. What makes this particular car (chassis 76130, for those keeping track) even more special is that it's been upgraded to 'Pacchetto Tempesta' specification, which in normal human speech means "we made it even more insane." The twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter AMG V12 now produces 827 horsepower, all going to the rear wheels through a seven-speed paddle-shifted transmission. The car's finished in lacquered bare carbon fiber with orange accents, because when you're spending this much money, why bother painting it? Having spent an embarrassingly long time examining its titanium exhaust system (which probably costs more than my house), I can tell you that every single detail is perfect. Even the new front splitter and reprofiled rear wing with its central fin look like they were designed by someone who thought regular aerodynamics weren't quite scientific enough. 3. Aston Martin Valkyrie Coupé - $2,648,750 Link to Sotheby's Results Page The Valkyrie that had everyone's necks snapping around faster than a tennis match sold for $2.6 million. Related: Inside RM Sotheby's Dubai 1st December Auction: The Most Expensive Lawn Party Ever. From Zonda LMs to Valkyries: A morning at RM Sotheby's Dubai auction reveals the most valuable collection of supercars ever assembled in the Middle East. Remember when I said it looked like it had escaped from a Formula 1 paddock? Turns out that's about what it costs to take one home. With a Cosworth V12 that revs to 11,100 rpm, this thing is basically what happens when road car engineers stop worrying about silly things like practicality and start thinking about lap times. 4. Lamborghini Centenario Roadster - $2,030,000 Link to Sotheby's Results Page That Centenario Roadster I compared to Batman's Dubai daily driver? Related: Why Someone Just Paid $2 Million for a White Lamborghini (And Still Got a Bargain) At Dubai's latest high-stakes auction, a pristine Lamborghini Centenario Roadster - one of just 20 ever made - sold for $2.03 million. Someone just paid two million dollars for it. This particular example has covered just 163 kilometers from new and was originally delivered to Japan. Finished in stunning Baloon White over a Pelle Nero interior, it's one of just 20 roadsters built to celebrate old Ferruccio's 100th birthday. With 759 horsepower from that glorious naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 and styling that makes a stealth fighter look subtle, that almost seems like a bargain. 5. McLaren Senna LM - $1,467,500 Link to Sotheby's Results Page The papaya orange missile that I was trying very hard not to back into while photographing the Zonda? It sold for nearly $1.5 million. Related: 2019 McLaren Senna: The Fastest Track-Focused Road Hypercar Ever Built by McLaren This remarkable vehicle represents the pinnacle of McLaren's engineering prowess, forging an unparalleled connection between car and driver. One of just 20 examples built (seems to be a theme here), this is what happens when McLaren's engineers look at a regular Senna - itself about as subtle as a hammer to the face - and decide it needs more power and less subtlety. For a car that looks like it's doing 200 mph standing still, that's almost reasonable. 6. McLaren P1 - $1,186,250 Link to Sotheby's Results Page A relative bargain at just under $1.2 million, this P1 represents what happens when McLaren decides to build a hypercar that can also pop to the shops. This particular example, chassis number 055 of 375 built, is finished in stunning Volcano Orange and has covered just 3,625 kilometers from new. Originally delivered to Japan, it's part of the hallowed "Holy Trinity" of hybrid hypercars, and with 903 combined horsepower from its hybrid powertrain, it's still as shocking today as it was when new. Though I suspect its new owner won't be using it for grocery runs. 7. Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series Coupé - $820,625 Link to Sotheby's Results Page The SLS Black Series - basically what happens when AMG engineers drink too much coffee - sold for $820,625. Worth every penny just for that noise from its naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8. Related: Photos: The Mercedes–Benz SLS AMG Black Series: The monster that re–defined AMG The Black Series edition of the iconic SLS not only changed the characteristics of the car but also drastically changed the mantra at AMG. How did it do this? The fact that it looks like a regular SLS that's been to the gym and started taking its protein shakes very seriously is just a bonus. 8. Jaguar XJ220 - $466,250 Link to Sotheby's Results Page Remember that silver streak I was waxing lyrical about? The car that perfectly encapsulated British engineering excellence (and occasional madness) of the early '90s? Someone took it home for $466,250. Related: RM Sotheby’s Dubai: An Insight into the Highlights of the December 1st Auction RM Sotheby’s has been one of the world’s leading car auctioneers since 1976. Let’s analyse some particular special models that will be available to bid on. Originally promised with a V12 but delivered with a twin-turbo V6 from a Metro 6R4 rally car (only the British...), it still managed 213 mph back when doing that speed meant you were either very brave or very stupid. For something that was briefly the fastest car in the world and caused more lawsuits than a Hollywood divorce, that's practically a steal. 9. BMW Alpina Roadster V8 - $410,000\ Link to Sotheby's Results Page At $410,000, this rare Alpina proves that some people understand the value of German engineering when it's been tinkered with by the right people. This is number 291 of just 555 built, and it's covered an astonishing 302 kilometers since new. Finished in Hellrot red over black leather, it's been in royal ownership since new - which explains why it's basically a time capsule from 2003. 10. Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG V12 - $398,750 Link to Sotheby's Results Page And speaking of German engineering, remember that G 63 V12 I mentioned? The one that sounds like it was designed specifically to frighten small children? Someone paid nearly $400,000 for what might be the most overqualified school run vehicle ever created. This particular example was owned by the Dubai royal family from new until 2023 and is reportedly one of just five V12-powered G-Wagens ever built. With 440 horsepower from its hand-built 6.3-liter V12, it's basically what happens when someone looks at a regular G-Wagen and thinks "not quite excessive enough." 11. Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 - $297,500 Link to Sotheby's Results Page Now here's something properly special - one of just 224 examples of Lamborghini's early grand tourers, and a car that perfectly encapsulates why Ferruccio started building cars in the first place. Built in 1966, this 400 GT 2+2 represents Lamborghini when they were still trying to prove they could out-Ferrari Ferrari at the grand touring game. This particular car, chassis 0643, left the factory in Grigio St. Vincent over a Tabacco interior and was first delivered to Bob Estes of California. The 3.9-liter V12 produces 320 horsepower - which might not sound much compared to today's Lamborghinis, but in 1966 was enough to worry pretty much anything else on the road. The car features Lamborghini's own five-speed gearbox, which replaced the somewhat temperamental ZF unit of earlier cars, and was apparently so good that period Autocar journalists claimed it was "better than all the equivalent exotic and home-bred machinery in this glamorous corner of the fast-car market." 12. Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 'Desire' by FAB Design - $263,750 Link to Sotheby's Results Page Remember when tuning companies had absolutely no sense of restraint? This is what happens when you take a perfectly good SLR McLaren Roadster and hand it to FAB Design after having too many energy drinks. Originally delivered to Switzerland in October 2007, this car was transformed into the 'Desire' edition by FAB Design, and my word, did they go to town on it. The supercharged 5.4-liter V8 has been tweaked to produce 750 horsepower (up from the standard 626), the torque figure has been bumped to a tire-shredding 1,080 Newton-metres, and the whole thing's been wrapped in an extensive carbon fiber body kit that makes the standard SLR look positively restrained. With bright orange brake calipers behind 20-inch forged wheels and an interior that looks like it was trimmed by someone with an unlimited budget and a pearl white leather obsession, it's gloriously mad. The fact it sold for less than a new AMG GT R is either a bargain or a warning, depending on your perspective. 13. Mercedes-Benz G 55 AMG Cabriolet - $184,000 Link to Sotheby's Results Page Just when you thought the G-Wagon couldn't get any more outrageous, here's one of only 12 AMG-converted cabriolet versions. Built in 2001, it features a hand-built 5.4-liter V8 producing 349 horsepower, which was quite something back then. Finished in Obsidian Black with matching black leather and a black soft top, it's probably the most perfectly inappropriate beach car ever made. The interior's been fitted with everything from burr walnut veneer to heated seats and a Nokia handsfree system (remember those?). It's covered 120,493 kilometers, which means someone actually used it as intended - probably while cackling maniacally with the top down. 14. Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III 'Flying Spur' - $149,500 Link to Sotheby's Results Page And speaking of rare, here's one of just 17 left-hand-drive Silver Cloud III 'Flying Spurs' ever built. Originally delivered to Mrs FC Shouse of Washington DC in 1964, this car represents Rolls-Royce at their coachbuilding best. Restored by Vantage Motorworks of Miami in 2010, it's finished in Old English White over tan Connolly hide - because of course it is. What makes this car particularly special is that it was never officially referred to by the factory as a 'Flying Spur' - that name was reserved for Bentley models. But when you're one of just 52 examples built by H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward Limited (and one of only 17 in left-hand drive), I suppose you can call it whatever you like. The Other Stuff: Because Cars Weren't Expensive Enough Before we even got to the four-wheeled treasures, the auction kicked off with a selection of timepieces that would make a Swiss banker weep into his fondue. Remember that TAG Heuer Carrera I mentioned, the one specifically made to match the McLaren MP4-12C? It found a new home for $3,600, which is practically pocket change compared to what followed. The star of the horological show was that Jaeger LeCoultre AMVOX3 Tourbillon GMT I was drooling over - the one with more complications than a teenager's love life. It sold for $24,000, which is actually quite reasonable when you consider it's basically a mechanical supercomputer for your wrist. The Chopard Mille Miglia collection seemed to be having its own mini-auction. The Jacky Ickx Edition - named after the man who could make a milk float look fast - went for $7,800. Various other Mille Miglia models changed hands for between $5,400 and $11,400, proving that car-themed watches are apparently as collectible as the cars themselves. Then there was the Rolex Daytona, because you can't have a proper auction without one of those. This particular example, a reference 116505, commanded $33,600. I'm told it tells the time just as well as my Casio, but I suspect that's not really the point. Some questionable-looking automotive artwork was also up for grabs, including Stefan Johansson's Maserati Tipo 61 'Birdcage' painting and a stunning Stirling Moss Mille Miglia piece. Birdcage, A Painting. Both were listed at $14,000-16,000, though they ended up not selling. Speaking as someone who spent way too long staring at them during the preview, that seems like a missed opportunity for some lucky collector. Even the scale models were approaching real-car prices. A 1:10 scale GT40 Le Mans model by Michele & Maurizio Conti and a Ferrari 250 GT 'Tour de France' by Michele Conti were both estimated at $19,000-21,000. That's about $1,900 per inch, which makes them possibly the most expensive miniatures outside of a jewelry store. The whole event had the feeling of what I imagine the Monaco Yacht Club is like, except with more horsepower and possibly even more money. The Dubai skyline provided a suitably dramatic backdrop, and the constant sound of supercars arriving and departing created a soundtrack that made the whole thing feel like some sort of automotive opera. And on that bombshell, I need to go explain to my bank manager why I've just asked for a loan of... checks notes... eleven million dollars. Though I suspect "but it's a really special Pagani" might not be the most convincing argument. Failing that, perhaps they'll let me have $3,600 for that TAG Heuer. It would look quite nice next to my Casio.
