Meet The Billionaires Behind The World’s Top 15 Most Expensive Cars Ever

The world’s most expensive cars are classics. This explains why the cheapest entry in this list is Ronaldo’s $9 million Centodieci. New age car lovers interested enough to offload millions of dollars on one of these rare oldies have to have a certain type of taste. 

In the world of opulence and extravagance, where luxury knows no bounds, a select group of billionaires stands out not only for their immense wealth but also for their passion for the most exclusive and expensive cars ever created. This article dips into the fascinating lives of these affluent individuals and their extraordinary automotive treasures, from rare vintages to modern hypercars. 

See also: 

Beyond Your Budget: 15 Most Expensive Luxury Cars That Redefine Extravagance 

Preston Henn

• The Car: 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale
• The Price: $26.4 Million

^{Image Credits: ROSSOautomobili/Sun Sentinel}

Preston Henn was an American entrepreneur and race car driver, best known for founding the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop in 1963. He was also a passionate car collector, amassing an impressive collection of exotic and race cars. 

Henn's car collection included a variety of high-performance vehicles, such as the Porsche 935 (which he drove to victory in the 1983 24 Hours of Daytona), Porsche 962 (which won the 1985 24 Hours of Daytona), Ferrari Enzo, and Ferrari FXX. He also owned the Maserati MC12, Porsche 918 Spyder, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, and Ford GT. 

There was even a place for the Toyota 4Runner and Toyota Camry in his collection. However, the 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale was the crown jewel. It is one of only three ever built and was specifically designed to compete in the FIA GT class. It famously finished 3^rd place at the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans, thanks to its lightweight aluminum body and a powerful 3.3-liter V12 engine. 

Lionel Messi

• The Car: 1957 Ferrari 335 S Spider Scaglietti
• The Price: $35.7 Million

^{Image Credits: Daily Mail/SupercarBlondie}

Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Known for his incredible skill, vision, and goal-scoring ability, Messi has won numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including multiple FIFA Ballon d'Or titles. 

Outside the pitch, Messi is known to own several high-performance and luxury vehicles, most notably a controversial 1957 Ferrari 335 S Spider Scaglietti. This car is a rare and iconic model, powered by a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine, and capable of reaching a top speed of over 186 mph (300 km/h). It was originally sold for a record $35.7 million at the Paris Retromobile auction in 2016. 

The controversy surrounding this car is centered on the ownership. Despite conflicting reports about whether Messi actually owns this particular Ferrari, multiple sources insist he, in fact outbid rival Cristiano Ronaldo for the car in 2016. 

David MacNeil

• The Car: 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO
• The Price: $70 Million

^{Image Credit: CNN/Crain's Chicago Business}

David MacNeil is the founder and CEO of WeatherTech, a company known for producing high-quality vehicle accessories like floor mats, cargo liners, and seat protectors. MacNeil is also an avid car collector and racer. One of the crown jewels in MacNeil's impressive car collection is the 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO, which also happens to be one of the most valuable cars in history. 

This particular model, chassis number 4153 GT, is considered one of the best surviving examples of the 250 GTO series. It has a rich racing history, having competed in prestigious events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Tour de France. The car was sold to MacNeil for a record-breaking $70 million in 2018, making it the most expensive car ever sold at the time. 

Gary Cooper

• The Car: 1935 Duesenberg SSJ – $22 Million
• The Price: $22 Million

^{Image Credit: TCM/Revs Institute}

Gary Cooper was a legendary Hollywood actor, known for his roles in classic films such as "High Noon" and "The Pride of the Yankees." He was also an avid car enthusiast and owned several impressive vehicles. One of the standout cars in Cooper's collection was the 1935 Duesenberg SSJ. This car is one of only two ever built and was specifically designed for high performance. 

It features a powerful 400-horsepower supercharged straight-eight engine and a lightweight roadster body. The SSJ was built on a shortened chassis, making it more agile and faster than the standard Duesenberg models. 

Cooper's 1935 Duesenberg SSJ became the most expensive American car ever sold at auction when it fetched a record $22 million at the Gooding & Company auction during the 2018 Monterey Car Week. The car later passed through several notable hands, including race car driver Briggs Cunningham. 

Sir James Arthur Ratcliffe

• The Car: 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe
• The Price: $142 Million

^{Image Credits: Mercedes-Benz/Business Chief}

Sir James Arthur Ratcliffe is a British billionaire and the founder of global chemical company Ineos. While Sir Ratcliffe is best known for his business acumen and significant contributions to the chemical industry, he also has great taste in cars. That is, if the rumors are true. The man is rumored to have purchased the iconic 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe at the record-breaking price of $142 million in 2022. 

The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe is a rare and highly prized model, known for its powerful 3.0-liter straight-eight engine and its historical significance in motorsport. This car was designed by Mercedes-Benz engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut and is considered one of the fastest road cars of its time, capable of reaching speeds of up to 180 mph (290 km/h). 

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

• The Car: 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196
• The Price: $29.6 Million

^{Image Credits: Daily Sabah/Wikimedia}

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is the current Emir of Qatar, having taken over from his father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, in 2013. He is known for his efforts to modernize Qatar and for his significant influence in regional and international politics. 

The 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 is a legendary race car driven by the famous Formula 1 driver Juan Manuel Fangio The Sheikh no longer owns this car because he sold it at an auction for a record-breaking price of around $29.6 million in 2013, purchased by an anonymous buyer. Al Thani reportedly owned the W196 for eight years after acquiring it from German industrialist Friedhelm Loh. 

Oleg Egorov

• The Car: Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta
• The Price: $17.5 Million

^{Oleg poses with his Pagani Huayra Imola - Photo Credit: Trustty Jasmine/Below: The Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta} 

Oleg Egorov is a prominent figure in the automotive world, known for his ownership of TopCar Design, a European tuning company. Egorov is also an avid car collector, with one of the most extensive collections of Pagani cars in the world. One of the highlights of his collection is the Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta, a rare and highly valuable hypercar. 

This model is one of only three ever produced and features a 7.3-liter naturally aspirated AMG V12 engine, producing 789 horsepower. The HP Barchetta is known for its open-top design and exceptional performance. In 2022, Egorov's Zonda HP Barchetta was involved in a significant crash during a rally event in Croatia. 

The car suffered extensive damage, but it has since been fully restored at the Pagani factory. Egorov shared the restoration process on social media, showcasing the meticulous effort to replace all damaged parts with new ones directly from Pagani. The restored Zonda HP Barchetta is valued at an estimated $17 million and remains one of the most prized possessions in Egorov's impressive collection. 

Rob Walton

• The Car: 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic
• The Price: $40 Million

^{Image Credits: Grocery Dive/Thesupermart via Wikimedia}

Rob Walton, the son of Walmart founder Sam Walton, is a well-known car collector and philanthropist. He co-owns the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, one of the most iconic and valuable cars in the world. The Type 57SC Atlantic is a masterpiece designed by Jean Bugatti, Ettore Bugatti's son. It features a supercharged 3.3-liter straight-eight engine and a stunning, hand-crafted aluminum body. 

Only four of these cars were ever made, and this particular model, chassis number 57374, is the only surviving "Aérolithe" version. It was originally delivered to British banker Victor Rothschild in 1936. 

Rob Walton acquired the car in 2010 at an auction for a reported $30 million, and it has since been displayed at the Mullin Automotive Museum in California, where it is co-owned by Rob and Melani Walton. The car has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award in 2017.  

See also:

Here Are 20 Of The Rarest Cars The World Has Ever Seen

Cristiano Ronaldo

• The Car: Bugatti Centodieci
• The Price: $9 Million

^{Image Credits: Goal.Com/Bugatti}

One of football’s all-time greatest Cristiano Ronaldo is also known for his impressive car collection. To celebrate Juventus's ninth consecutive Serie A title, Ronaldo treated himself to a Bugatti Centodieci, a limited-edition hypercar. 

The Bugatti Centodieci is a tribute to the Bugatti EB110 and is powered by a revised version of the Bugatti Chiron's W-16 engine, producing an impressive 1,600 horsepower. Only 10 units of the Centodieci were ever made, making it an extremely rare and exclusive vehicle. 

Ronaldo's Centodieci is configured with a stunning white factory finish and exposed carbon fiber, matching his jersey number 7. This addition to his collection, which already includes other Bugattis like the Chiron and Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, showcases his love for high-performance cars and his appreciation for the French brand. 

Ralph Lauren

• The Car: 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic
• The Price: $40 Million est.

^{Image Credit: The Globe and Mail}

Ralph Lauren, the iconic fashion designer and businessman, is also a passionate car collector. Among his impressive collection, he owns the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, one of the most valuable and rare cars in the world. The Type 57SC Atlantic is a masterpiece designed by Jean Bugatti, featuring a supercharged 3.3-liter straight-eight engine and a stunning, hand-crafted aluminum body.

 Only four of these cars were ever made, and Ralph Lauren's Atlantic is the only one still in private hands. The car was purchased by Lauren in 1988 and has since been meticulously maintained and restored. The Atlantic is widely regarded as the "Mona Lisa of cars" due to its exquisite design and historical significance. It has won numerous awards at prestigious car shows and is considered a pinnacle of Art Deco automobile design. 

Paul Pappalardo

• The Car: 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO
• The Price: $52 Million

^{Image Credit: Bloomberg}

Paul Pappalardo is a well-known car collector from Greenwich, Connecticut. He is particularly famous for his ownership of the 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO, one of the most coveted and valuable cars in the world. The 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO is a legendary race car, designed by Giotto Bizzarrini and built by Ferrari. It features a 3.0-liter V12 engine and a lightweight, aerodynamic body. 

Only 39 units were ever produced, and this model has a rich history of success in GT racing, including a victory in the 1963 Tour de France. Pappalardo acquired the car in 1974 and meticulously restored it, competing in various historic races. In 2013, he sold the 250 GTO for a record-breaking $52 million, making it the most expensive car ever sold at the time. The buyer's identity has not been publicly disclosed. 

Gregor Fisken

• The Car: 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
• The Price: $44 Million

^{Image Credits: Collectorscarworld/ CNBC}

Gregor Fisken is a well-known classic car dealer and former racing driver. He is particularly famous for his ownership of the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, one of the most coveted and valuable cars in the world. This model has a rich history of success in GT racing, including a victory in the 1962 12 Hours of Sebring. 

In 2017, Fisken purchased the car from American lawyer Bernard Carl for $44 million, making it the highest publicly verified sale price of a car at the time. However, the car was missing its original gearbox, which Carl had promised to source and deliver. When Carl failed to deliver the gearbox, Fisken took legal action, claiming breach of contract. 

The legal battle centered around whether Carl was obligated to provide the gearbox and who should bear the costs associated with its recovery and delivery. The court ultimately ruled in favor of Fisken, ordering Carl to hand over the gearbox so the car could be restored to its original state. 

Samuel Tak Lee Jr

• The Car: Rolls-Royce Sweptail
• The Price: $13 Million

^{Image Credit: Dagospia/Wikimedia}

Samuel Tak Lee Jr. is a Hong Kong-based billionaire and property magnate, known for his extensive real estate investments and his impressive car collection. He is the son of the late Samuel Tak Lee, a prominent real estate developer. Samuel Tak Lee Jr is behind the one-off Rolls-Royce Sweptail. It’s a bespoke Rolls-Royce model designed to be the ultimate luxury car. 

Commissioned in 2013 and completed in 2017, it was inspired by the coachbuilding traditions of the 1920s and 1930s. The car features a 453-hp 6.75-liter V12 engine and is finished in a striking dark green color with gold accents. The Sweptail was initially the most expensive new car ever sold, with a price tag of around £10 million (approximately $13 million) at the time of its debut. It remains one of the most exclusive and luxurious cars Rolls-Royce ever built. 

Andrew Bagnall

• The Car: 1994 McLaren F1 LM-Spec
• The Price: $19.8 Million

^{Image Credit: Nasty Motors/YouTube}

Andrew Bagnall is a New Zealand entrepreneur and amateur racer who is well-known in the car collecting community. He is the current owner of the 1994 McLaren F1 LM-Specification, one of only two road-legal McLaren F1s modified to the more powerful Le Mans specification. 

The 1994 McLaren F1 LM-Spec is a highly modified version of the standard McLaren F1, featuring a more powerful 6.1-liter V12 engine that produces 680 horsepower, compared to the standard F1's 618 horsepower. It also includes an Extra-High Downforce Kit with a large rear wing and vents on the front fenders, making it a true road-going race car. 

The car has a top speed of nearly 248 mph (400 km/h) and can seat three people. Bagnall has owned the car for over a decade and has shared his experiences and love for the McLaren F1 LM-Spec in various interviews and videos. He recently decided to sell the car, and it was auctioned to an anonymous US-based buyer at RM Sotheby's Monterey Car Week in 2019 for $19.8 million. 

Jay and Beyonce Z and Mauro Icardi

• The Car: Rolls-Royce Boat Tail
• The Price: $30 Million approx.

^{Image Credits: Rolls-Royce/Hollywood Reporter}

The Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is one of the rarest and most expensive cars in the world, with only three models ever made. Two of the three owners are the famous music power couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé, and Argentinian footballer Mauro Icardi. The identity of the third owner remains a mystery. 

Jay-Z and Beyoncé have a combined net worth of around $1.9 billion and are known for their extensive art collection, real estate investments, and luxury lifestyle. Their Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is a stunning example of their opulence. The car is painted in a deep blue color, which is a favorite of the couple and also matches their daughter Blue Ivy's name. 

The Boat Tail features a luxurious rear deck that opens up to reveal a picnic set with a refrigerator designed to chill Armand de Brignac champagne, Jay-Z's favorite brand. The car also has a nautical theme, reflecting the couple's love for the French Riviera. 

Mauro Icardi, who is currently playing for Galatasaray, has a net worth of around $100 million and is known for his prolific goal-scoring abilities. Icardi's Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is another example of his extravagant taste. The car is customized to his preferences and features a 6.75-liter V12 engine, producing 563 horsepower. 

The Boat Tail has a luxurious rear deck with a fold-out picnic set, including a champagne fridge, silverware, and porcelain plates from Christofle. The car is designed to mimic the elegance of a yacht, providing a unique and opulent driving experience.