Collector Cars

1953 ferrari 250 Europa

“I didn’t even negotiate the price.”

Ferrari collector Edwin Niles traveled to Rome to test drive a new 250 Ferrari Europa in 1953.

Niles hopped in the car with Ferrari dealer, Inico Bernabei.

Did he end up making a purchase?

“Bernabei took me on a screaming ride through the narrow streets of Rome, passing applauding pedestrians wherever we turned. I heard shouts of ‘Ferrari!’ and ‘Forza!’ I didn’t even negotiate the price.”

1953 Ferrari 250 Europa
1953 Ferrari 250 Europa

Over $100,000 – just for the bolts.

Here’s yet another reason why your next supercar should be a Pagani.

Not only is every single bolt in a Pagani made from grade 7 Titanium, but each one is engraved with a tiny Pagani logo.

pagani bolts

Why does Pagani use grade 7 Titanium bolts? Super lightweight, high strength, and the added palladium is ultra corrosion resistant.

It takes 1,400 bolts to assemble a Pagani Huayra, and each bolt costs about $95.00.

That’s $133,000, just for the bolts.

pagani bolts

The engineering and math makes perfect sense, but what’s the purpose of engraving every single bolt with the Pagani logo?

I haven’t asked this question to the founder, Horacio, but I’m going to guess one of the reasons is printed directly on the Pagani website:

“Beauty in the details, beauty in the lines, in the beating heart of cars that are born as creations and not just as designs. Beauty where you cannot see it.”

pagani bolts

collector car market report
Collector Car Market Report, 2024

Top 10 Most Valuable Cars of All Time

Click to Expand
RankModelDate SoldFactsBuyer & SellerImageValue
11955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe2022One of only two Mercedes 300 SLR Coupes, this example with rest with the new billionaire owner. The second 300 SLR will remain in the MercedesBenz Museum.Sold during a private Sotheby's auction, the winning bid was from a high end car buyer from Switzerland, Simon Kidston. Behind the broker was British billionaire Sir James Arthur Ratcliffe. Known from his chemical company Ineos, his net worth is nearly $28 billion. Ratcliffe also owns one-third of the Mercedes-Benz F1 Team.1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe$142 million
21962 Ferrari 250 GTO2018There are only 39 1962 Ferrari 250 GTOs, and sold for $18,500 new from the Ferrari dealer. There was one small barrier to purchasing a new 1962 GTO, it required the approval from Enzo Ferrari before the deal was accepted.Software executive and the 15th Microsoft employee, Greg Whitten, sold the Ferrari 250 GTO after owning the car for 18 years.1962 ferrari 250 gto $70 million
31957 Ferrari 335 S2016The car was driven by racing legends, Peter Collins and Trintignant at Sebring, then Wolfgang von Trips in Mille Miglia. Mike Hawthorn in 24 Heures du Mans, and a victory at the Cuba Grand Prix with Sir Stirling Moss.After an amazing racing career, the 1957 Ferrari 335 S was sold to Architect Robert Dusek in 1960. In 1970, it was sold to Pierre Bardinon, a fanatic Ferrari collector.1957 Ferrari 335 S$35.7 million
41954 Mercedes-Benz W1962013Victory for Juan Manuel Fangio at the 1954 Formula 1 championship, then Hans Hermann and Karl Kling. After its racing career the car was displayed at the Mercedes-Benz Museum.During the 1980s, the car was stored in a warehouse in a private collection.1954 mercedes w196$29.6 million
51956 Ferrari 290 MM2015The "MM" stands for Mille Miglia, the 1956 Ferrari 290 was a race car built specifically for the grueling race. And in 1956 with Eugenio Castellotti behind the wheel, it won. Only 4 models were made, with this model taking 1st place at the 1956 Mille Miglia, and the second model taking 4th place. 1956 ferrari 290 MM$28 million
61967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 S NART Spider2013One of only ten models produced. The single owner 1967 Ferrari remained in the Smith family for three generations.This car had one owner before it was sold for a record $27.5 million. Eddie Smith from North Carolina purchased the car new in 1968 from his friend, and Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti.1967 ferrari$27.5 million
71964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale2014The Ferrari Speciale is one of only three Berlinetta Competizione cars ever made. Like many Ferrari's of the 50s and 60s, it was made for racing. The car was owned by Preston Henn, a collector, race car driver, and entrepreneur from Florida who made a fortune with his indoor/outdoor flea markets.1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale$26.4 million
81956 Aston Martin DBR12017This model was the very first of just five 1956 DBR1s. The car won Nurburgring and Le Mans in 1959, and was raced by the legends Sterling Moss, Carroll Shelby, and Jack Brabham.Carefully maintained by Aston Martin specialist RS Williams, the DBR1, John McCaw purchased the car in 2000, and sold it in 2009.1956 Aston Martin DBR1$22.5 million
91935 Duesenberg SSJ2018One of only two models ever built. Duesenberg was an American luxury car company started in 1928, with the goal to build the most powerful and luxurious cars in the world. The next year the stock market crashed, and Duesenberg Motors went bankrupt in 1937.In 1935, the car cost $5,000 from the dealer. One time owned by Hollywood actors Gary Cooper and Clark Gable, then sold to race car driver Briggs Cunningham. Then sold to Miles Collier in 1986.1935 Duesenberg SSJ$22 million
101955 Jaguar D-Type2016The Jaguar D-Type won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1955, 1956, and 1957. This model won in 1956 driven by Ecurie Ecosse. Only two owners since race car driver Ecurie Ecosse. This car was sold to Sir Michael Nairn in 1970. Then sold to a private collection in 1999.1955 Jaguar D-Type$21.8 million

Top 10 Most Valuable Aston Martin Cars

Click to Expand
RankModelValueDate SoldFactsBuyer & SellerImage
11956 Aston Martin DBR1$22.5 million2017David Brown wanted to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but needed to first build a race car. Designed by Ted Cutting, the DBR1 was the start of Aston Martin racing. It's arguably the most important Aston Martin car in the history of the company.There were only five DBR1s created. In the year 2000, American John McCaw purchased the car, then sold it in January of 2009. 1956 Aston Martin DBR1
21963 Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Prototype$21.5 million2018The car was made to race at Le Mans, it turned out to be the most important one-off Aston ever made. With just two months notice, Aston Martin engineers built the car for the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans race. It became the first car to break the 300 kph barrier.Malcolm Calvert bought the car directly from Aston Martin in 1974, but needed to track down the original engine first. Over several years and multiple owners, the car was restored. Aston collector Nigel Dawes bought the car and worked with the original designer, Ted Cutting, with the goal of restoring the car to original condition. The original engine was found but not used in the restoration. They opted for a Cooper-Aston 4.2-liter, which was as close to the original as they could get.1963 Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Prototype
3Left-Hand-Drive 1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato$9.5 million2021One of only six left-hand drive DB4GT Zagatos, out of 19 total cars. The DB4GT was in response to Ferrari's newly built SWB Berlinetta. Aston wouldn't stop with an ordinary DB4GT, they contacted Carrozzeria Zagato for the ultimate design.The car went to Ude Hansen from Sweden in 1964, then to Aston dealer Lars Wendal. In 1972, the car was purchased by Tom Leake and the engine was rebuilt. Then sold to Julian Cottrell in 1976, and sold again to Richard Forshaw. Sold again in 1998 to Les Edgar, then to Peter Goodwin in 2016 for the Paul Andrews Collection.1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato
41959 Aston Martin DB4GT Prototype$6.7 million2017It was the first (and only) DB4GT prototype created. This car was sold to the Queen's cousin, Hon Gerald Lascelles in 1961, then sold to Mike Salmon in 1965. Sold again in 1986. 1959 Aston Martin DB4GT Prototype
51965 Aston Martin DB5 Bond Car$6.4 million2019The car was one of two models purchased by Eon Productions for the Bond films. A compromise was reached between the movie production company and Aston's David Brown to use the cars for filming, and return them to Aston after filming completed.Purchased by Lord Bamford in 1969, then sold to B.H. Atchley, of the Smokey Mountain Car Museum in Tennessee. 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Bond Car
61955 Aston Martin DB3S$5.5 million2014Designed by Robert von Eberhorst, this car is one of 20 DB3 models built. Owned by the Forshaw Collection for 40 years, it was sold in 2012 to a car dealer in New England. 1955 Aston Martin DB3S
71935 Aston Martin Works Ulster LM19$4.6 million2015The car raced in the Le Mans 24 Hours, and the Mille Miglia. It also driven by Dick Seaman in the 1936 Grand Prix de l'ACF. Owner J.C. Badcock restored the car and owned it for at least 20 years, then sold in 1969 for 1,575 euros. Bought by John Campbell, the car was sold again in 2013.1935 Aston Martin Works Ulster LM19
81961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Bertone Jet$3.9 million2013The rare Coachwork Carrozzeria Bertone Aston Martin was fully restored by Works Service, the "Jet" won several awards at Pebble Beach. Sold for the first time in 30 years. 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Bertone Jet
91961 Aston Martin DB4GT Lightweight$3.9 million2021One of just five original DB4GT Lightweights. Once owned by Jack Boxtrom and Charlie Turner, sold by the Paul Andrews Estate Collection in 2021. 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Lightweight
101955 Aston Martin DB3S (#52)$3.7 million2012The DB3 was launched in 1952 developed by Eberan von Eberhorst. Owned by well-known Aston Martin collectors for over 48 years before selling in 2012. 1955 Aston Martin DB3S (#52)