Skip advert
Advertisement

This 1956 Ferrari 290 MM just sold for $28million

Multi-million dollar Ferrari 290 MM was previously driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and sold at RM Sotheby's in New York

An ex-works 1956 Ferrari 290 MM has sold at auction in New York for over $28 million. RM Sotheby's says it's the most expensive car sold in 2015, the most expensive ever sold in New York City, and the most expensive car the auction house itself has ever sold.

The car in question was built for Juan Manuel Fangio to race in the 1956 Mille Miglia - the famous Italian open-road endurance race. It only competed in that race once - as the Mille Miglia was shut down the following year. But before the car retired it was raced by greats like Alfonso de Portago and Wolfgang von Trips.

The Ferrari 290 MM  never achieved huge success and only won one of the 12 races it participated in - but its rarity made it a target for collectors. The Ferrari 290 MM is one of only four ever made. RM Sotheby's describes it as 'an irrefutable piece of automative history', and while its 320bhp may seem pedestrian now, in 1956 the car was hugely powerful.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Ferrari rockets its way onto the list of most expensive cars ever sold at auction - to third place, just behind the Ferrari 250 GTO and the Mercedes-Benz W196. But it wasn't the only car that sold for mega money last weekend. A 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato became the most expensive British car ever sold at $14.3 million, while the Ferrari Enzo previously owned by boxer Floyd Mayweather made $3.3 million. A Porsche 356, highly decorated and owned by the late Janis Joplin made $1.7 million.

Overall the auction generated $73.5 million in sales - which means that Fangio's Ferrari accounted for over 26% of the sales total for that night.

Do you think a car can ever be worth $28.05 million? Check out our list of the most expensive cars ever sold at auction

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best hypercars 2025
Best hypercars - header image September 2024

Best hypercars 2025

Extraordinarily fast and exceedingly rare, these are the best hypercars of all-time
Best cars & vans
12 May 2025
Ferrari Elettrica: official glimpse of Italian brand’s first EV promised for October
Ferrari EV Mule - front end

Ferrari Elettrica: official glimpse of Italian brand’s first EV promised for October

It appears the full reveal of Ferrari’s first fully electric car will take place next spring
News
7 May 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
8 Apr 2025
Most expensive cars ever sold at auction
Most expensive cars - header image

Most expensive cars ever sold at auction

We count down the ten classics that have fetched the highest prices at auction
Best cars & vans
6 Feb 2025

Most Popular

Labour hints at major luxury car tax U-turn to boost EV sales
Luxury car tax

Labour hints at major luxury car tax U-turn to boost EV sales

Is pressure from retailers and car makers finally cutting through with ministers?
News
22 May 2025
The Nissan Micra is back! New supermini arrives with EV power and plenty of charm
Nissan Micra - front

The Nissan Micra is back! New supermini arrives with EV power and plenty of charm

The Nissan Micra makes a long-awaited return as an EV and is set to offer up to 253 miles of range
News
21 May 2025
BYD Dolphin Surf review
BYD Dolphin Surf - front

BYD Dolphin Surf review

The BYD Dolphin Surf is a roomy, sophisticated, and competitively priced electric city car that’ll find plenty of willing buyers
In-depth reviews
23 May 2025