The automobile has been around for more than 100 years. Gasoline powered vehicles showed up near the end of the 19th century, but it's enough to look back to when the Ford Model T started rolling off the Piquette Plant assembly line to realize that the affordable automobile is already 105 years old. Since "Tin Lizzie" came to life, the automotive industry evolved so rapidly that we no longer need 12-liter engines to surpass the 100 miles per hour mark. Built in over 15 million units, the Model T managed to survive to this day despite the wars, the Great Depression or the Oil Crisis it had to go through. Not to mention the weathering processes it had to endure.
But not all automobiles were produced in such high numbers and offered at affordable prices. Most of them were so expensive and so exclusive that they were considered rarities even in their hay-day, let alone now, when they can draw a huge amount of attention and a lot of cash at auctions. Low production volumes, rarity, design and nostalgia are just a few of the factors that can turn an old car, or even a barn find for that matter, into a precious collectible item. The fact that classic cars sell for seven-figure sums is no longer surprising. It all started back in the 1980s and since 2010 they began selling for over $10 million. More than half of the ten most expensive vehicles ever auctioned are Bugattis and Ferraris, and if you want another interesting fact, five vehicles have fetched more than $10 million and almost $110 million when put together.
1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic
Hammered in 2010 in California, this specific Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic became the most expensive car ever auctioned. The figure was so impressive, that the owner decided to remain anonymous and asked for the exact amount of money to remain undisclosed as well. Word has it the French sportscar sold for over $30 million, and rumors are indicating a staggering sum of around $43 million. Holy cow is right! How many people on this planet have this kind of money? It's probably irrelevant, but we do need to know what makes this car so expensive.
Built in only four examples besides the Aerolithe prototype, the Bugatti Atlantic is one of the rarest vehicles in the world. With one gone missing and another one wrecked in the 1950s, only two original Atlantics remained to this day. The "Pope" version now resides with Ralph Lauren, who decided to scrap the Sapphire Blue paintjob and turn the car black, while the "Rothschild" Atlantic changed a few owners before becoming the most expensive car ever auctioned. Known internally as chassis 57374, this was the first Atlantic built by Bugatti and delivered to London's Lord Rothschild in 1936. Fitted with a supercharged three years later, the Atlantic had 210 HP coming out of its 3.3-liter inline eight-cylinder engine for a top speed of over 123 MPH. In 1971, the vehicle was acquired by Dr. Williamson for a record amount of... $59,000. He did a tremendous job restoring it and continued to drive it until his death in 2008.
Built in only four examples besides the Aerolithe prototype, the Bugatti Atlantic is one of the rarest vehicles in the world. With one gone missing and another one wrecked in the 1950s, only two original Atlantics remained to this day. The "Pope" version now resides with Ralph Lauren, who decided to scrap the Sapphire Blue paintjob and turn the car black, while the "Rothschild" Atlantic changed a few owners before becoming the most expensive car ever auctioned. Known internally as chassis 57374, this was the first Atlantic built by Bugatti and delivered to London's Lord Rothschild in 1936. Fitted with a supercharged three years later, the Atlantic had 210 HP coming out of its 3.3-liter inline eight-cylinder engine for a top speed of over 123 MPH. In 1971, the vehicle was acquired by Dr. Williamson for a record amount of... $59,000. He did a tremendous job restoring it and continued to drive it until his death in 2008.