Gallery: 13 Incredible Cars You Could Buy if You Were Stupid Rich
Darin Schnabel/RM Sotheby's01upload
McLaren's greatest crime, no doubt, was creating the F1—and then building just 106 examples of the car. The fastest production vehicle on the planet for seven years, and still the fastest with a naturally aspirated engine, it's also got a 24 Hours of Le Mans win to its name. This F1 is one of just two upgraded with an extra powerful engine, and is signed by McLaren's legendary designer, Gordon Murray. Unofficial estimates put the auction price north of $12 million.
Mathieu Heurtault/Gooding & Company021934-Packard-Twelve-1108-Sport-Sedan-0019
You know what makes a leather interior look crummy? This 1934 Packard's gold-plated hardware. The Twelve 1108 Sport Sedan was made for the 1933 Century of Progress International Exposition in Chicago, and this one was likely owned by Tom Lyle Williams, president of the Maybelline cosmetics company. It's powered by a V-12 engine that produces 160 horsepower, and controlled by a three-speed manual transmission. It should sell for $2 to $3 million.
Darin Schnabel/RM Sotheby's031910 American Underslung Traveler Toy Tonneau 2
The most affordable car on this list also is the oldest: the 1910 American Underslung Traveler Toy Tonneau. It's powered by a 499-cubic inch four-cylinder engine with a three-speed manual transmission. After a recent full restoration, the Underslung won its class at last year's Pebble Beach Concours. It's expected to sell for $750,000 to $900,000.
David Newhardt/Mecum Auctions.042. 1967 Toyota 2000GT, Photo by David Newhardt, Courtesy of Mecum Auctions
You may think Toyota didn't accomplish much before the 1970s, when it started its takeover of the American car market. You're wrong, and this 1967 2000GT is the proof. Sexy enough to pass for an Italian, it could be tuned to deliver 200 horsepower and up. With a black interior and red exterior, this one's expected to sell for $1.25 to $1.5 million.
Jeremy Cliff/Mecum Auctions053. 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Coup, Photo by Jeremy Cliff, Courtesy of Mecum Auctions
Yes, the latest generation of the Corvette deserves praise for sleek design and excellent performance. But in sheer swagger, it's got nothing on the 1969 Corvette L88 coupe. The car's first owner promptly put it in storage, so it's got just over 2,000 miles on the odometer, along with its original V8 engine and 4-speed transmission. Auction house Mecum expects it to fetch $900,000 to $1.25 million this weekend.
Patrick Ernzen/RM Sotheby's061955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing
In the six decades since the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing was born, few cars have topped it in beauty or innovation: It came packed with new technologies like a slanted inline six-cylinder engine, fuel injection, a lightweight frame, and those glorious doors. This one's expected to fetch $5.5 to $6.5 million, mostly because it's one of just 29 Gullwings fashioned from aluminum.
David Newhardt/Mecum Auctions0711. 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S, Photo by David Newhardt, Courtesy of Mecum Auctions
If it weren't for the Miura, you may never have heard of Lamborghini. Sure, it's got no bumpers, and basically zero rear visibility—but it's undeniably gorgeous. This 1969 Miura P400 S improved on the original car with things like power windows and 20 extra horsepower. It has just 31,000 miles on the odometer and a mostly original paint job in arresting orange. Expected price is $1.5 to $1.75 million.
Patrick Ernzen/RM Sotheby's081953 Jaguar C-Type Works Lightweight
Jaguar's E-Type may be the better known car, but in the annals of motorsports, the C-Type is the one that matters. Built in 1953, this beauty came with an inline six-cylinder engine good for 220 horsepower. It finished fourth overall at Le Mans in 1953, then spent the 1950s in the hands of a few owners, competing in hill climbs and endurance races. After 15 years in climate-controlled storage, it's now ready for a new home, one with someone willing to drop $9 to $12 million.
Mathieu Heurtault/Gooding & Company091960-Porsche-RS60-049
This Porsche is one of a kind, but only because it's the last survivor of the four works 1960 RS60 cars built. It was the last iteration of Porsche's Spyder sports car series, and features a tubular-space steel space frame and 15-inch wheels. At just 1,210 pounds, it was terrific on tricky circuits, and made its debut at the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans, though it failed to finish the race. Expected price is $5.5 to $7 million.
Darin Schnabel/RM Sothebys101968 Maserati Ghibli Spyder Prototype by Ghia
You're looking at the first Maserati Ghibli Spyder, a prototype Maserati used for development of the topless production series. Under the hood is a 4.7-liter V8 engine that produced 330 brake horsepower. This 1968 model is expected to cross the block for somewhere between $1.2 and $1.8 million.
Mathieu Heurtault/Gooding & Company111982-Porsche-956-Scenic-023
What makes an early 80s Porsche worth $7 to $9 million? A first place overall win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 1982 956 was designed in less than a year, on an aluminum monocoque chassis. It crossed the finish line moments before its 2,650-cc engine "expired in a billowing cloud of white smoke," according to Gooding.
Mathieu Heurtault/Gooding & Company122005 Enzo alt
You don't see many 21st century cars worth between $4 and $6 million. You see even fewer that were owned by a pope. This is the 400th and final Ferrari Enzo, built in 2005 and presented to the Holy Father with the inscription under the hood: "This Enzo, unique in the history of Ferrari, as a sign of solidarity for those suffering, inspired by a Great Pope, John Paul II." Also under the hood: a V12 engine that produces 660 brake horsepower and has driven just 111 miles.
Mathieu Heurtault/Gooding & Company131962-Ferrari-250-GT-SWB-Berlinetta-Speciale-0174
The stunning 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Speciale is a design made just for Nuccio Bertone, the man responsible for masterpieces like the Lamborghini Miura and Countach. Inspired by the championship-winning Ferrari 156 F1 race car, designer Giorgetto Giugiaro crafted a shark nose front end for his boss’ ride. It was restored in the 1980s and again in the 90s, and at Pebble is expected to sell for up to $14 to $16 million.
