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Ranking The 10 Most Expensive American Cars Sold At Auction
By Simon Kim
Published Feb 7, 2023
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Each year, the automobile auction market reaches new heights as more gearheads and investors appreciate collectible cars as works of art. As a result, auction houses such as R.M Sotheby’s, Barrett Jackson, Bring a Trailer, Bonhams, and Artcurial now have collector cars hammer for absurd amounts of money. In 2022, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe fetched a record-breaking $142.8 million to become the world’s most expensive car sold at auction.
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Further down the list, only one American model features among the twenty most expensive cars sold at auction. Despite failing to grace the top end of the collector car market, several ultra-high-end American cars appreciated value in recent years to prices that will leave you in awe. We compiled an exclusive list of the most expensive American cars sold at auction, so read on to discover the top ten ranked from lowest to highest price.
Related:10 Of The Cheapest V8 Muscle Cars To Buy Used
101966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake – $5.5 Million
The CSX3015 is the sole-surviving Cobra 427 Super Snake assembled by Shelby American, a former jewel of Carroll Shelby’s collection. Affectionately crowned as the ‘Cobra to End All Cobras,’ this 1966 Shelby Cobra 47 Super Snake features a 7.0-liter twin-turbo Ford V-8 capable of 800hp and 462lb-ft of torque.
Unlike some Cobras with sketchy histories, the CSX3015 boasts an unimpeachable pedigree with an unbroken chain of ownership throughout its lifetime. In 2021, the 1966 Shelby Cobra 47 Super Snake crossed the block through Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, netting an eye-watering $5,500,000.
91965 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster – $5.94 Million
The 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster, serial number CSX3178, was one of the crown jewels in Carroll Shelby’s collection. Accurately identified as one of five 427 Cobra Roadsters originally finished in Charcoal Gray, the CSX3178 featured a big-block 427 with dual quads and a Toploader four-speed manual transmission.
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Although Carroll Shelby modified the CSX3178 before his death, renowned Cobra restorers Legendary Motorcar Company made a complete ground-up restoration to match 1965 specs. A lucky buyer went home with the 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster after posting a winning bid of $5,940,000 at Mecum’s Kissimmee Auction in 2021.
Related:Here’s What Makes The Shelby Cobra 427 One Of The Most Macho Classic Cars
81964 Ford GT40 Prototype – $7 Million
After a disappointing 1964 season, Ford commissioned Shelby American to retune and prepare two Ford GT40 prototypes for the 1965 season. The GT/104 factory team car made its mark in racing history at the 1965 Daytona Continental, securing a third-place finish to become the second GT40 to achieve a podium finish.
Despite disappointing outings at Sebring, Monza, and Nürburgring later in its racing career, the ultra-rare GT/104 still holds significant provenance and value as the second-oldest GT40 chassis in existence. In 2014, the restored 1964 Ford GT40 prototype (GT/104) fetched an astonishing $7,000,000 at a Mecum auction in Houston, Texas.
71965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe – $7.25 Million
Although the Shelby Cobra Roadster had already proven itself, the turning point for Shelby American was the Shelby Daytona sports car that put the U.S. at the forefront of endurance motorsports. With Bob Bondurant behind the wheel, the Shelby Daytona CSX2601 clinched the 1965 World Manufacturers Championship GT class.
The CSX2601 is one of six Shelby Daytona Coupes hand-built by Carroll Shelby to take on Ferrari in the GT class at the 12 Heures du Reims F.I.A Championships. In 2009, the 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe CSX2601 sold for $7,250,000 at Mecum’s Monterey Auction, setting the record for the highest auction price for an American car.
61965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype – $7.65 Million
Before the official production run of the iconic GT40, Ford made a series of twelve prototypes; seven hardtops and five roadsters. Chassis number GT/108 is the first of the five roadsters built at the Ford Advanced Vehicle plant and the eighth of those twelve prototypes. The white GT/108 fulfilled promotional and exhibition purposes for the Shelby Cobra team, then later served as the development basis for the J and X series of the Mark IV iteration.
Interestingly, the GT/108 is the only prototype Henry Ford II set foot into, with Carroll Shelby at the wheel. Considering the significant provenance of the GT/108, it’s unsurprising that this 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype sold for a stellar $7,650,000 in 2019 through RM Sotheby’s at the Monterey Conference Center.
Related:Why The Ford GT40 Wouldn’t Exist Without The Lola Mk6 GT
51966 Ford GT40 Mk II – $9.795 Million
In 1966, Ford humiliated Ferrari when a trio of GT40 Mk IIs clinched all three podium finishes in arguably one of the most controversial finishes in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Initially constructed as a GT 40 Mk I, Shelby American converted chassis P/106 to Mk II specifications with the 427 big block, a reinforced frame, and revised fiberglass bodywork.
The chassis P/1016 holds provenance and exceptional pedigree as the third-placed Mk II in the iconic race, not forgetting that it’s also the fourth of the eight GT40 Mk II examples built. Presented in its signature gold livery and pink highlights at RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction in 2018, the 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II P/1016 crossed the block for a jaw-dropping $9,795,000.
41931 Duesenberg Model J Coupe (Long-Wheelbase) – $10.34 Million
The gorgeous Duesenberg Model J encompasses everything we love about the 1930s; a fantastic coach-built body and an abundance of bespoke features. Outstanding documentation identifies this one-of-a-kind Duesenberg as chassis 2478, an unusual long-wheelbase model that Murphy built with the bodywork of a two-door coupe.
Considering it’s one of the most elegant classic American automobiles, it’s only fitting that the 1931 Duesenberg Model J Coupe crossed the Gooding & Company auction block in 2011 for an astonishing $10,340,000.
31968 Ford GT40 Gulf/Mirage – $11 Million
The interesting backstory of this 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf/Mirage, chassis P/1074, starts with its JWAE Mirage roots as a GT40-based racing prototype. The powder blue and marigold Mirage won its first race at Spa in 1967, followed by historic wins at Karlskoga, Skarpnack, and Montlhery. Later, J.W.A. converted the Mirage into the Group 4 GT40 that won at Monza and placed second at Watkins Glen in the 1968 season.
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Besides racing, the 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf/Mirage also served as a mobile camera car for Steve McQueen’s action-packed 1971 racing film, Le Mans. It isn’t easy to believe that one car could have such a storied career, but that explains why it’s the most expensive Ford, having sold at the 2012 RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction for a whopping $11,000,000.
Related:Why Ford’s GT40 Could Be The Blue Oval’s Greatest Car Ever
21962 Shelby 260 Cobra Roadster – $13.75 Million
In 2016, the 1962 Shelby 260 Cobra Roadster, CSX 2000, became the most expensive Shelby when it sold for $13,750,000 at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction. The CSX2000 prototype was the first car built by Carroll Shelby, extensively utilized for development, promotion, and even high-speed driver training.
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Thanks to the 260hp 4.3-liter OHV V-8 under the hood and the lightweight aluminum construction, the 1962 Shelby 260 Cobra Roadster played a significant role as a press car to impress the public. With the kind of history behind the one-of-one CSX2000, it’s undoubtedly one of the most important classic cars in American automotive history.
11935 Duesenberg SSJ – $22 Million
The legendary 1935 Duesenberg SSJ, chassis J-563, is one of only two built on a unique short-wheelbase chassis, boasting a 400hp supercharged twin-cam inline eight-cylinder engine. After Gary Cooper’s ownership, the 1935 Duesenberg SSJ went through famous owners like Briggs Cunningham and Miles Colier.
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Arguably one of the rarest and most significant Duesenberg models, the well-preserved and unrestored 1935 Duesenberg SSJ sold at Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach auction in 2018 for a record-smashing $22,000,000. The J-563 is currently the most valuable pre-war and expensive American car sold at a public auction.
