Car Auction: 1957 Ferrari 335 S Expected to Break Record as the Most Expensive Car Ever Sold at Auction

By Staff Writer

Jan 22, 2016 03:10 AM EST

1957 racing Ferrari 335 S Spider Scaglietti is expected to break auction records. The classic vehicle is estimated to sell for more than $34 million, higher than any other car ever sold at an auction. 

The supercar will be auctioned during the Retromobile Classic Car show in Paris, France, between 3-7 February. Retromobile is a well-known auction that draws the most knowledgeable and enthusiast automotive collectors as well as historians. According to CNN, the current record-holder for the most expensive car sold at auction is also a Ferrari. In 2014, 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO is sold for $38 million at an auction in California.

Automobile Magazine reported that even though Ferrari is one of the most luxurious supercars, only a few have surpassed $30 million in terms of price. More Ferrari cars are sold in the price range of $20 million up to below $30 million. 

Last October, it was reported that a 1956 Ferrari 190 MM had a fighting chance to break the existing record, but the car ended up selling for $28 million as the third most expensive car sold at public auction. The 1957 Ferrari 335 S to be auctioned next month is considered to have much better chance to smash the record due to the fact that the model is actually an evolution of the 1957 Ferrari 315 S, which is the successor to the 290 MM model. The 1957 Ferrari in question also has a much more extensive racing history.

According to Autoevolution, the chassis number 0674 first competed at the Sebring 12 Hours in 1957, the same year it left the Ferrari workshops. After that, the car was driven by German racer Wolfgang von Trips to compete at the Mille Miglia and managed to finish 2nd.

After that, the car's engine was increased from 3.8 liters to 4.1 liters. On its next race in Le Mans 24 Hours, the car hit average lap speed record with 203.015 km/h or 126.1 mph. In the Swedish Grand Prix, the car finished in the fourth position. The Ferrari was then modified for the Venezuelan Grand Prix that brought the team to Constructors' World Championship where the car was driven to victory. In 1958, the car was also the one driven by the winner of the Cuban Grand Prix. The car's last recorded race was on December 7, 1958, at the Bahamas Speed Week in Nassau. Then the race car was forced to retire.

With the astonishing history involving a world champion title, it is very likely that this 1957 Ferrari will indeed break the world record as the most expensive car sold in auction. Its exceptional power and capability also add up to the car's highlight. The auction in Paris also features other classic cars, including 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta and 1997 Porsche 993 911 GT2 Evo.

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