Top 10 Most Expensive Cars in the World

The undisputed number one. Only two examples of this 1955 car exist. One is in a museum, the other is now in private hands. The car is named after its designer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, and in the 1950s it was the fastest car on the road. Auction house RM Sotheby's confirmed that the proceeds of this record sale went entirely to charity: a scholarship fund for students working on sustainable technology.

For years this car held the number 1 spot. Collectors regard the Ferrari 250 GTO as the Holy Grail. Only 36 were built between 1962 and 1964. It is the perfect combination of beauty, history and performance on the race track. Own one and you automatically belong to the most exclusive club in the world.

This is the most expensive new car you could ever order. Rolls-Royce built this car entirely to measure for three mysterious billionaires. The rear of the car is inspired by a luxury yacht and opens up like a butterfly. Underneath you'll find a complete picnic set, including a fridge set precisely to the serving temperature of the owner's favorite champagne.

The name simply means “The Black Car”. It is a tribute to a Bugatti that was lost during the Second World War. Only one was ever made, and it looks like it drove straight out of a Batman movie. Under the hood sits a terrifying W16 engine with 1,500 horsepower. The owner has never been officially revealed, although rumor has it that it is a famous footballer.

Horacio Pagani, the founder of the brand, originally built this car for himself. That probably explains why it is so extreme. The car has no roof and a very low windscreen, so you are literally sitting in the wind. The rear wheels are partly covered, giving it a unique, futuristic look you won't see on any other road car.

Before the Boat Tail (number 3) came along, this was the most expensive new car in the world. A super-rich customer approached Rolls-Royce with a simple request: “Build a car that looks like my favorite yachts from the 1920s.” The result is a gigantic coupé with a glass roof that tapers to a point at the back. It took four years to build this beast by hand.

Bugatti dominates this list, and not without reason. The Centodieci (Italian for 110) is a tribute to the classic Bugatti EB110 from the 1990s. The brand produced only ten examples of this model, all of which were sold before the car was even shown to the public. One of the lucky owners is footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

This car is a bit of an odd one out. It was built in 2004, not for a customer, but for a tire manufacturer (Fulda) to test its new high-speed tires. The result is a sinister black sled that can do more than 350 km/h. Despite its age and bizarre looks, it remains extremely valuable because of its unique status.

Most modern sports cars are covered in wings and spoilers for aerodynamics. The Codalunga (“Long Tail”) does things differently: it is smooth, elegant and simple. Inspired by the Le Mans racers of the 1960s, it has an extended rear. Only five were made, making it an instant collector's item.

We close the list with – how could it be otherwise – a Bugatti. While most Bugattis are built for pure straight-line speed, the Divo was designed for corners. Test drivers at TopGear described the gigantic g-forces in the corners as an assault on your neck muscles. Despite the 5 million price tag, all 40 examples sold out within a single day.