The Rarest and Most Expensive Cars in History
Ever since the first technical car was invented in 1885 by German engineer, Karl Benz, the world of the automobile has become a treasure trove for rare collectors and eccentric engineers who have driven the industry to new highest. From the richest and most extravagant collectors to the most ingenious of mechanics, here are the 10 rarest and most expensive cars in history.
- The Spirit of Nemo
Although it is fictional, there may be a semblance of truth behind this legendary automobile of the ingenious ‘Capitan Nemo’. Ever since the French science fiction author, Jules Verne, pinned his novel, ‘20 000 Leagues Under the Sea’, the hero of the story, ‘Capitan Nemo’, captured the imagination of inventors the world over. So prolific was his influence that he again later appeared in ‘The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen’; which was remade as a film in 2003. In the movie his vehicle of choice was this incredible looking machine, ‘The Spirit of Nemo’ and incredibly it was actually designed and built in full. Ken Freeman, one of the custom car builders, was commissioned to create The Spirit of Nemo. A sleek 24 foot (7.3m) long convertible that blew viewers away.
Astonishingly, after filming was complete, the one of a kind car was sold off at an auction for $45 000 (R787 000) and one lucky buyer is cruising around London in potentially one of the coolest cars ever created. Compared to some of the other cars on the list this one sounds like quite the bargain.
- Rolls Royce 15HP
Talking of the coolest cars ever created, this one may well have been the first commercially available model. The name ‘Rolls Royce’ is synonymous with all things extravagant when it comes to being a car collector, but the first of them to ever be engineered was this, the Rolls Royce 15HP. It was first showcased to the public of Paris in 1904. Although it was shown alongside three other Rolls Royce models, the 10HP, the 20HP, and the 30HP, sadly only 6 of them ever saw the light of day. Astonishingly out of those 6, only 1 still survives today. Even more impressively, although it is difficult to put a price to such a rare item, the 1 still left is estimated to be worth around $35mil (R612mil). For a vehicle that has a maximum speed of 63kph, that is a rather large investment.
- Gibbs Aquada
When it comes to rare vehicles, few have managed to drive on both land and water. That isn’t a problem for this ingenious piece of machinery. The Gibbs Aquada Amphibious Car is the first highspeed land and water vehicle. Incredibly, the Aquada is capable of reaching speeds of up to 160kph on-road and 50kph on water, giving thrill-seekers the best of both worlds when it comes to hitting the throttle.
Designed and engineered in 2003, the limited-edition concept car went into production briefly in 2004. Sadly, for the company behind the car, the Aquada wasn’t the hit they thought it would be as they faded into obscurity shortly after its release. However, in 2016 Gibbs sold 20 of his unpurchased cars at auction where a decade later they have been revitalized as collector’s items and sold off for $250 000 (R4.37mil) each.
- Bugatti 57SC Atlantic
Okay so, when it comes to being the most expensive car of all time, this one may very well be our clear winner. In fact, the Bugatti 57SC Atlantic comes close to being the rarest and most expensive car this world has ever seen, with only 4 ever being made, and only 2 still surviving today. The first is the 1938 model which is privately owned by legendary fashion mogul Ralph Lauren, and the second is the elusive 1936 model which was sold privately in 2010 for an earth-shattering $40mil (R699mil). There are some very alluring rumors going around that there may be a mysterious third model drifting around, but most consider this to be inaccurate. Anyway, regardless of that, not only is the Atlantic incredibly rare and incredibly beautiful, it’s lightweight aluminum body and aerodynamic design allows it to hit speeds of up to 200kph. For a car designed and engineered in 1936, that is a huge feat in its own.
- Helica de Leyat
Following its unveiling in 1921, French newspapers described this very rare and bizarre vehicle as ‘the plane without wings’. Designed by the legendary and eccentric French automobile producer, Marcel Leyat, the 1921 Helica design has since become known as one of the most original and extraordinary automobiles ever created. Down to the fact that it is one of the only commercial vehicles of its kind, that powered by a huge plane-like propeller rather than a traditional combustion engine.
Although at the time, it was considered his most revolutionary design, only 30 of the 1921 Helica models were ever produced. Astonishingly, all 30 of them are currently part of a private collection. So, someone somewhere has a warehouse full of these bizarre propeller cars.
- Tucker 48
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This one has the incredibly unique distinction of being both a very rare vehicle and also a very notorious car amongst collectors, and not for all the right reasons. Also known as the Tucker Torpedo, the Tucker 48 takes both its name from the year it was created, 1948, as well as from its namesake, the cursed automobile maker, Preston Tucker.
One of the most regarded cautionary tales in the industry, Tucker only ever managed to produce 51 of these unique vehicles at his plant in Chicago, shortly before his company folded on March 3rd, 1949. The reason for his company collapse was his alleged involvement amidst a stock fraud scandal that attracted the attention of the authorities as well as massive negative media coverage. Although Tucker was acquitted in court, his company never financially recovered which ultimately lead to the collapse of the Tucker Torpedo. However, it did cause the 51 Torpedoes he did create to become incredibly rare machines. Initially, the 48 sold for just $1000 (R17 500) but today, the Tucker 48 is estimated to be worth $1.2mil (R21mil).
- Aston Martin Bulldog
The legendary manufacturer Aston Martin is a name synonymous with the sleek and tantalizing designs often demonstrated by British engineering. Their attempt to encapsulate, what came with this sore thumb of a vehicle, one which, at the time, was one of the worst received car concepts in history. Although it looks quite similar to the DMC DeLorean featured in the Back to the Future movies, even sporting the famous ‘Gullwing’ doors, the reality of the Aston Martin Bulldog is far less magical. Nevertheless, its unorthodox history had maintained as one of the most eccentric cars in history. Initially, Aston Martin had planned for a limited test run of these vehicles with around 25 set to hit the market to see how they sold. However, only one Bulldog was ever actually built.
Despite being made in England and intended to be driven on English roads, the Bulldog was a left-hand drive car. After Aston Martin was deflated by its bad reception, they actioned off the Bulldog in 1980 for $130 (R2 260). In 2011 it resurfaced to be sold at auction once again, this time fetching $1.3mil (R22.6mil), marking it as the only one of its kind.
- Bugatti Royale
Although we’ve taken a look at some classic cars that were renowned for their ingenuity and intended for the rich and the royals, this particular feat of engineering is one the most impressive of its kind. Made to order, only 6 of these ‘Gothic-Esque Beasts’ were ever actually made back in 1931. At the time of their design, the owner of the illustrious company, Ettore Bugatti, intended to sell them to royalty, for as much as $30 000. That translates to just over $500 000 (R8.7mil) in today’s money. Unfortunately for Bugatti, they didn’t know that one of the most disastrous events in modern history would destroy their plans. In 1929 the great depression hit and in the two years following their manufacturing, things became increasingly worse. As you may imagine, by the time the great depression was in full swing, no one had the spare change to spend on one of the most expensive and elite luxury vehicles of its era.
That didn’t stop collectors getting their hands on these incredible machines several decades later. In 1987 one of the 6 known Bugatti Royale’s sold for $9.7mil (R169mil).
- Ford GT40 Gulf
Although the vast majority of the vehicles on this list have been designed and engineered in Europe, this incredibly powerful speedster comes from none other than the USA and their most iconic car makes Ford Motors. Despite some of the mind-blowing price tags that have to attributed to Rolls Royce and Bugatti, the Ford GT40 Gulf claimed its spot in the record books when it became the most expensive American car ever sold at auction, attracting a huge $11mil (R191.5mil). However, for this particular GT40 Gulf, there is a bit more to it than just being rare. Its incredible price tag is down to its amazing history. The car that was sold at auction belonged to none other than Hollywood royal, Steve McQueen, who owned the GT40 Gulf in 1968. He often featured it in many of his iconic Hollywood movies. McQueen went to such lengths as to saw a hole in the car’s roof to make space for a mounted camera, which usually would slash any value that the vehicle possessed, but not in this case. McQueen’s ownership added to the rarity of the car. As far as the car’s buyers are concerned, it’s worth every penny.
- Jaguar D-Type
Though the GT40 Gulf is an impressive speedster in its own right, the British have historically had something to say about that. Jaguar is a name synonymous with the most impeccably designed sports cars ever made, and at the height of that is Jaguar’s 1954 D-Type. It’s one of the most sought-after vehicles in history and one of the most expensive sports cars on the planet. Manufactured between 1954 and 1957, the D-Type earned its place in history as the car in which Ecurie Ecosse crossed the finish line to victory at the 1956 24 hours of Le Mans. Since then, it’s been passed from collector to collector as one of the most coveted prized-possessions in the automotive world. In 2016 it sold at auction for $21.7mil (R377.3mil), making it one of the most expensive rare sports cars ever sold.
Well, there we have it. 10 of the rarest and most expensive cars in history. What I wouldn’t give to own just one.
– Sheldon H. McCarthy
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