One Can Dream
No matter how much wealth you accumulate, or how much you love a certain car, there are some grails that simply slip through the cracks. Whether limited edition runs or reserved for specific individuals, these are 20 of the rarest cars you’ll be lucky to ever see in person.
1. Ferrari 250 GTO
The 250 GTO is a rare and desirable car due to the fact that out of only thirty-six of them being made, there are fewer than thirty remaining. Some are still intact and left original, while others are restored from wear and weather damage. One of these cars was sold fairly recently at an auction for just over seventy million dollars.
PSParrot from England on Wikimedia
2. Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic
Considered to be a masterpiece, only four of these Bugattis have ever been built, with only two surviving today. It is one of the most sought-after collector's pieces due to its unique design and advanced engineering for its time. One of the two surviving cars was bought by Ralph Lauren for over $100 million for his collection, while the other one is in the Mullin Automotive Museum. It is next to impossible to own one yourself.
3. Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé
Only two units of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé were ever made. Renowned for its exceptional performance and gullwing doors, it is one of the most interesting collector's items for car lovers. One of these two cars is displayed in the Mercedes-Benz Museum, while the other was auctioned in 2022 for $143 million.
4. Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
This car was made through a collaboration between Aston Martin and Zagato. Only nineteen were produced, but even fewer remain today. This very rare collector's vehicle can be found with a price tag upwards of $15 million.
5. Porsche 917K
Gaining its fame for its success at Le Mans, the Porsche 917K is a significant piece of racing history. There are only twelve surviving cars from the original production. One of the few cars that have actually been sold went for around $16 million at auctions.
6. Rolls-Royce 15 HP
The oldest surviving Rolls-Royce in history, the 15 HP has only one vehicle out of the original six left. It is considered to be a priceless piece of history. Due to this fact, it resides in a museum and is not available for purchase.
7. Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita
The Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita is one of the most exclusive cars ever made. There are only two in existence, valued at over $5 million. Its unique carbon fiber body is infused with diamond dust, making it a piece of art.
Own workKoenigsegg CCXR SE, CCXR Trevita, and Enzo Ferrari by Axion23 on Wikimedia
8. Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale (Tre Posti)
This one-off Ferrari prototype is a uniquely designed car. It features a three-seat layout with the driver in the center. With only two of these cars being made, they have been circulating in private collections with a price tag of over $20 million.
9. Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta
A modern hypercar from 2018, only three were ever made. Its open-top design and futuristic race car appearance make it a collector's dream. With an estimated value of over $17 million, it is among the most valuable collector's cars.
10. Jaguar XKSS
With only sixteen units built after the tragic factory fire in 1957, the Jaguar XKSS is a collector's favorite. The surviving vehicles are worth over $10 million today. There is one exception to this, as one of them was famously owned by Steve McQueen, being priced at $35 million.
11. Ford GT40 Mk II
The Ford GT40 Mk II became famous after its legendary 1966 Le Mans victory. These cars are considered to be milestones in American motorsport history. These race-used cars are extremely rare, with a price tag of over $10 million.
12. Bugatti La Voiture Noire
Produced as a one-off as a modern homage to the 57SC Atlantic, this Bugatti is literally one of a kind. Originally priced at $18.7 million, it is one of the most expensive cars ever built. It is currently owned by an undisclosed collector and is not for sale.
13. Chevrolet Corvette CERV I
An experimental prototype made by Zora Arkus-Duntov, it is considered a one-off, making it priceless. Currently, it resides in a private museum collection.
14. Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake
Only two units of the Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake were ever built. One of these was Carroll Shelby’s personal car, with the other one being unfortunately destroyed. This technically makes the remaining one a one-of-a-kind car, valued at over $5 million.
15. Hispano-Suiza H6C Dubonnet Xenia
This one-off masterpiece was made with innovative engineering and artistic decorative design. The car is praised for its unique statue-like look. It currently resides in a museum and is valued as a priceless artifact.
16. Ferrari SP38 Deborah
A custom-made car, this Ferrari was commissioned back in 2018. Its unique and luxurious design was based on the 488 GTB. Currently, it is estimated to be worth over $5 million.
17. TVR Cerbera Speed 12
Only one of these cars currently exists, as the project was ruled to be too extreme for production. With the car reaching speeds of 240 mph (386 km/h), it is a highly sought-after collector's piece. Considered to be one of the most powerful cars ever built, it has been valued at $2 million.
Alan_D from Crawley, United Kingdom on Wikimedia
18. Maybach Exelero
This luxury car was built as a tire testing vehicle. Only one has ever been made, back in 2004. It combines immaculate performance and luxury aesthetics, putting a price of over $8 million on this collectible car.
Simon Davison from Los Gatos, United States on Wikimedia
19. Peugeot 905
Built for the sole purpose of winning Le Mans, this prototype only has a handful of surviving cars. Built in the early 1990s, it was one of the most intriguing car designs of that time. These cars rarely come to market, but when they do, they are sold for anywhere between $3 million and $5 million.
20. Chrysler Norseman
A futuristic concept car built in 1956, this piece of history has been lost to time. With the only cars made sinking during transport, they exist only in photos. When it was made, the price was around $150,000, which would translate to roughly $2.5 million today.
