At the world's premiere automotive event, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance (if you need to brush up on your French, concours d'elegance literally means "competition of elegance"), where every car could be the one of your dreams. Monterey, California—home to this prestigious event, the finale to Monterey Car Week—recently hosted one hell of an auction, with a plethora of significant and rare cars traded among the deep-pocketed cognoscenti. These were the biggest stars, all of them oldies but goodies. If you're in the mood for drooling over the more current (and eco-friendly) options, check out the 6 Luxurious Supercars Vying to Challenge Tesla's Electric Supremacy.
10 | 1959 Ferrari 250 GT SI Cabriolet
Sold for $4,840,000 by Gooding & Company
The last of only 40 examples built with exquisite coachwork by master automotive design firm Carrozzeria Pininfarina. The 36th of 40 built, it was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1957.
9 | 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series III
Sold for $5,335,000 by Sotheby's
One of just 12 Series III 410 Superamericas built, with a massively powered (for 1959) 4.9-liter, 400 horsepower, race-derived, Lampredi V-12 engine. Also designed by Carrozzeria Pininfarina. If Pebble Beach beauties like these are already getting a little out of your price range, fear not—we have the answer to the question What's the Single Best Car You Can Buy for Under $100,000?
8 | 1955 Ferrari 121 LM Spider
Sold for $5,720,000 by RM Sotheby's
The third of only four 121 LMs ever built. Raced by Scuderia Ferrari at both the 1955 Mille Miglia and 24 Hours of Le Mans. It evolved from one of Ferrari's earliest four-cylinder engines, the straight-six powerplant rocks 360 horsepower. Body by Italian automobile design and coachbuilder Scaglietti, whose shop was directly across the street from the Ferrari factory in the 1950s.
7 | 1959 Aston Martin DB4GT
Sold for $6,765,000 by RM Sotheby's
At the time it was introduced in 1958, it was considered the world's most advanced GT car. This one-off is among the most famous of all Aston Martins, complete with original engine, and was intended as a gentlemen's racer. For a chance to drive an Aston Martin and feel like the real James Bond, embark with Brown & Hudson on one of the 9 Life-Changing Luxury Adventures You'll Never Forget.
6 | 1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Roadster Competition
Sold for $8,000,000 by Bonham's
Raced by Team Cunningham at the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans, among other series, this original, six-cylinder Jaguar was owned by noted American sportsman Briggs Cunningham, who made his mark as driver, team owner, and constructor. Don't forget that Cunningham also raced yachts; if you'd like to follow in his footsteps, you need to look the part: Nail Your Yacht Style Game with These Essential from Nautica.
5 | 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Coupe
Sold for $8,305,000 by RM Sotheby's
Platinum Award winner at the 2016 Cavallino Classic, this Ferrari is a perfectly preserved example of the celebrated 250 GT V-12 "Short-Wheelbase." Numbering #110 of 167 total built, it's one of approximately 90 Lusso variants. Body by Scaglietti.
4 | 1970 Porsche 917K Race Car
Sold for $14,080,000 by Gooding & Company
Steve McQueen, a car guy and pro driver, used this Porsche 917K in his cult classic movie Le Mans. Though used as a camera car and not actually driven by The Man, it was a star of the film and is considered one of the ultimate McQueen collectibles. A version of the car drove Porsche to overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971.
3 | 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Coupe
Sold for $14,520,000 by Gooding & Company
Originally built as a street homologation (to qualify for certain racing series), Ferrari produced a limited series of twelve 275 GTB/C ("C" for Competizione) cars for the 1966 season. These tailor-made GT cars used the most advanced and best weight-reducing technology of the time to maximize their 3.3-liter V-12 engine mid-mounted engines.
2 | 1995 McLaren F1 Coupe
Sold for $15,620,000 by Bonham's
With chassis number 044, this McLaren's original owner took delivery at the Woking, England factory and proceeded on a cross-Europe road trip. The sale price proves that the McLaren F1 rivals the Ferrari 250 GTO as one of the world's most sought-after supercars.
1 | 1956 Aston Martin DBR1 Roadster
Sold for $22,550,000 by RM Sotheby's
The first Aston Martin DBR1 ever built, and considered the finest of the species, set a record for most valuable British car ever sold, eclipsing the record set by RM Sotheby's last year with the 1956 Le Mans-winning Jaguar D-type. For more jaw-dropping cars and even more astonishing prices, check out The 17 Most Expensive Cars Sold at Auction.
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