There’s no way around it: The automobile auction market reached dizzying new heights over the first half of the decade. That’s the only way to explain how the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR known as the “Uhlenhaut Coupe” sold for $142 million in 2022. The mind-boggling hammer price obliterated the previous record paid for a car at auction by nearly $100 million. It’s become increasingly clear collectors will spend whatever it takes to get a hold of the car of their dreams. Just look at our list of the 25 most expensive cars to sell at auction, which was put together with the help of the valuation experts at Hagerty. Earlier this summer, it looked like the market had cooled down, but then Monterey Car Week rolled around and three cars commanded gavel prices in excess of $34 million, earning themselves a spot on this list. “While record prices have been set more frequently in times of economic prosperity, the very best cars often..
