An overview of the most expensive classic cars in 2017

Published on 11/29/2017 | Reading time: 3 minutes

D.he prices for high-quality classic cars have calmed down. However, collectors continue to pay record sums for rare cars. The best example: Aston Martin’s 1956 DBR1 racing car, which is 2017’s most expensive classic at $ 22.55 million.

Buyers paid 117.5 million dollars (100 million euros) for the top ten high-priced items, according to the statistics of the market observers from Classic-Analytics from Bochum. In 2016 it was $ 172 million. The classic car experts evaluated 90 international auctions with more than 6000 vehicles.

“You shouldn’t misinterpret the lower total value,” says Classic Analytics CEO Frank Wilke. “The willingness to pay for really rare cars is unbroken. However, many collectors are currently holding back real gems until the overall mood on the classic car market is better again. “

Five of the ten most expensive vehicles are racing cars, and once again a car with racing history won the highest price: the Aston Martin DBR1 was specially developed for the Le Mans endurance race and also competed at the Nürburgring with Stirling Moss at the wheel. It is also the most expensive British classic car ever sold.

Further record prices for their brand put the 1995 McLaren F1 in second place (15.6 million dollars) and the 1970 Porsche 917k in fourth place (14.1 million dollars). The latter starred in Steve McQueen’s legendary car film “Le Mans”.

A younger racing car has already risen to the ranks of the classics: At 7.5 million dollars, Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari F2001 from 2001 ranks ninth among the most expensive classics of 2017. Rare Ferraris (five of the top ten) are also still popular with collectors in the course, places three (275 GTB / C, $ 14.5 million), five (charity project and future classic LaFerrari Aperta, $ 10 million), six (250GT LWB California Spider, $ 9.5 million) and seven (250GT SWB, $ 8.3 million) are occupied by the Italians.

Some cars are not as valuable as claimed

The only pre-war car in the top ten is the Bugatti Type 57S Cabriolet Vanvooren from 1937 (eighth place, $ 7.7 million). In tenth place is the Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition from 1963 (7.4 million dollars), another representative of the popular racing cars of the 1960s.

According to Classic-Analytics, the market beyond racing cars and one-offs has also calmed down: The prices for high-volume models from Ferrari and Porsche from the 80s and 90s have fallen slightly. Managing Director Wilke: “Here the buyers noticed that these cars are not as rare as some dealers would have them believe.”

Finally, some good news for vintage car fans with a slightly smaller wallet: According to market observers, there is currently a lot of movement in the entry-level market for vehicles up to 15,000 euros. “That secures the offspring of the classic car scene,” says Wilke.