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Automotive

The Top 50 most valuable new car charity auctions

By Mike Hanlon
December 28, 2017
The Top 50 most valuable new car charity auctions
The charity new car auction marketplace is so new that almost all of the cars in our Top 40 list have sold in the last four years, and more than half in the last two years
The charity new car auction marketplace is so new that almost all of the cars in our Top 40 list have sold in the last four years, and more than half in the last two years
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Three Sennas: Viviane, Bruno Senna and the new McLaren Senna. Viviane is the sister of Ayrton and the mother of racing driver and McLaren ambassador, Bruno Senna. The new McLaren Senna raised £2 million for underprivileged children and youngsters in Brazil via the Ayrton Senna Institute.
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Three Sennas: Viviane, Bruno Senna and the new McLaren Senna. Viviane is the sister of Ayrton and the mother of racing driver and McLaren ambassador, Bruno Senna. The new McLaren Senna raised £2 million for underprivileged children and youngsters in Brazil via the Ayrton Senna Institute.
Max Girardo in full flight during the auction of the McLaren Senna in London earlier this month. Girardo was for many years the front man for RM-Sotheby's, the world's largest prestige car auction house, but these days he runs his own shop in central London (which among other exotica has a 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype for sale at present) and does the occasional gig as compere at events such as this and Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. Girardo's high energy auction of the Senna can be seen here.
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Max Girardo in full flight during the auction of the McLaren Senna in London earlier this month. Girardo was for many years the front man for RM-Sotheby's, the world's largest prestige car auction house, but these days he runs his own shop in central London (which among other exotica has a 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype for sale at present) and does the occasional gig as compere at events such as this and Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. Girardo's high energy auction of the Senna can be seen here.
One of the primary catalysts that kicked off this goodwill new-car-charity-auction marketplace was the auction of the first Ford Shelby GT500 Fastback. The success of the exercise, which played out in front of Ford's top brass at the 2006 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, convinced Ford of the viability of leveraging its VIN #001 cars on Barrett-Jackson's televised auctions for the benefit of all. Ford's commitment convinced the other members of the big three to enjoin battle and ... the rest was history.
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One of the primary catalysts that kicked off this goodwill new-car-charity-auction marketplace was the auction of the first Ford Shelby GT500 Fastback. The success of the exercise, which played out in front of Ford's top brass at the 2006 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, convinced Ford of the viability of leveraging its VIN #001 cars on Barrett-Jackson's televised auctions for the benefit of all. Ford's commitment convinced the other members of the big three to enjoin battle and ... the rest was history.
When this one-of-210 LaFerrari Aperta went to auction at RM Sotheby's Leggenda E Passione sale on Saturday September 9, 2017, a one-of-500 LaFerrari already held the record for a new car at auction and a 21st century car at auction. Predictably, both records fell as the open top (Aperta) fetched €8,300,000 (US$9,989,582) which was donated to the Save the Children Fund.
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When this one-of-210 LaFerrari Aperta went to auction at RM Sotheby's Leggenda E Passione sale on Saturday September 9, 2017, a one-of-500 LaFerrari already held the record for a new car at auction and a 21st century car at auction. Predictably, both records fell as the open top (Aperta) fetched €8,300,000 (US$9,989,582) which was donated to the Save the Children Fund.
When this one-of-210 LaFerrari Aperta went to auction at RM Sotheby's Leggenda E Passione sale on Saturday September 9, 2017, a one-of-500 LaFerrari already held the record for a new car at auction and a 21st century car at auction. Predictably, both records fell as the open top (Aperta) fetched €8,300,000 (US$9,989,582) which was donated to the Save the Children Fund.
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When this one-of-210 LaFerrari Aperta went to auction at RM Sotheby's Leggenda E Passione sale on Saturday September 9, 2017, a one-of-500 LaFerrari already held the record for  a new car at auction and a 21st century car at auction. Predictably, both records fell as the open top (Aperta) fetched €8,300,000 (US$9,989,582) which was donated to the Save the Children Fund.
The price achieved by this car nearly 11 years ago by a six-year-old charity is quite astonishing. At the time, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé was selling for $407,000, so the price of $2 million was not just the highest price ever paid for a new car at the time, but five times the price of any other Phantom Drophead Coupé.
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The price achieved by this car nearly 11 years ago by a six-year-old charity is quite astonishing. At the time, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé was selling for $407,000, so the price of $2 million was not just the highest price ever paid for a new car at the time, but five times the price of any other Phantom Drophead Coupé.
The earthquakes in Emilia-Romagna (Italy) on May 20 and 29, 2012, struck at the heart of Ferrari which is based in the community. It didn't take long for the Ferrari Tifosi to mobilize and demonstrate their extraordinary generosity. The on-line auction at www.ferrari.com closed on June 20, having raised over €1.8 million.
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The earthquakes in Emilia-Romagna (Italy) on May 20 and 29, 2012, struck at the heart of Ferrari which is based in the community. It didn't take long for the Ferrari Tifosi to mobilize and demonstrate their extraordinary generosity. The on-line auction at www.ferrari.com closed on June 20, having raised over €1.8 million.
One of the 99 Maybach G650 Landaulets was retained by Mercedes-Benz, and auctioned during the Zoute Grand Prix in Knokke, Belgium, on the weekend of the October 6, 2017. The automotive heritage event is one of the stars of the global classic car calendar, and includes a Bonhams auction of elite automobiles. Mercedes-Benz donated the only unspoken-for Maybach G650 Landaulet to one of its pet charities, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and it fetched €1,200,000 ($1,407,875).
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One of the 99 Maybach G650 Landaulets was retained by Mercedes-Benz, and  auctioned during the Zoute Grand Prix in Knokke, Belgium, on the weekend of the October 6, 2017. The automotive heritage event is one of the stars of the global classic car calendar, and includes a Bonhams auction of elite automobiles. Mercedes-Benz donated the only unspoken-for Maybach G650 Landaulet to one of its pet charities, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and it fetched  €1,200,000 ($1,407,875).
The GTC in the Bentley Continental GTC stands for "Grand Touring Convertible" and in 2007, the Naples Wine Festival auctioned the first GTC available in America ahead of overwhelming demand and a limited build schedule for the $200,000 2+2 convertible. As usual at the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort during the Naples Winter Wine Festival, there was enough interest in being the first on the block with the latest toy to drive bidding to more than six times the normal buy price.
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The GTC in the Bentley Continental GTC stands for "Grand Touring Convertible" and in 2007, the Naples Wine Festival auctioned the first GTC available in America ahead of overwhelming demand and a limited build schedule for the $200,000 2+2 convertible. As usual at the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort during the Naples Winter Wine Festival, there was enough interest in being the first on the block with the latest toy to drive bidding to more than six times the normal buy price.
As part of one of the longest pre-release sagas in automotive history, the first production NSX was auctioned by Barrett-Jackson and sold for $1.2 million, approximately six times the fully optioned price of $207,500. The Acura NSX is also the first American designed and built car on this list.
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As part of one of the longest pre-release sagas in automotive history, the first production NSX was auctioned by Barrett-Jackson and sold for $1.2 million, approximately six times the fully optioned price of $207,500. The Acura NSX is also the first American designed and built car on this list.
The first example of the seventh generation Corvette went to the auction block with a following of biblical proportions, driving one of the greatest new-price-to-auction-price ratios we can find. A fully optioned Stingray maxes out at $73,360, and the winning bidder for this 2014 Corvette Stingray VIN #0001 paid $1.1 million - that's a "feel good ratio" of 15-to-one.
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The first example of the seventh generation Corvette went to the auction block with a following of biblical proportions, driving one of the greatest new-price-to-auction-price ratios we can find. A fully optioned Stingray maxes out at $73,360, and the winning bidder for this 2014 Corvette Stingray VIN #0001 paid $1.1 million - that's a "feel good ratio" of 15-to-one.
This 2015 Corvette Z06 was the first retail production vehicle available of the all-new, next generation Corvette Z06. As many road testers are quick to tell you, you'll need to head towards a million bucks to get equivalent performance to the $100,000 Corvette ... well someone believed them. That someone was Rick Hendrick, NASCAR team owner and Hall of Fame member. Hendrick has purchased three of the cars on this list.
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This 2015 Corvette Z06 was the first retail production vehicle available of the all-new, next generation Corvette Z06. As many road testers are quick to tell you, you'll need to head towards a million bucks to get equivalent performance to the $100,000 Corvette ... well someone believed them. That someone was Rick Hendrick, NASCAR team owner and Hall of Fame member. Hendrick has purchased three of the cars on this list.
This 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible was the first of the all-new Corvette Stingray convertibles and when it fetched $1,000,000, that translated to another approximate 10-1 ratio from the retail to auction price. The car was sold at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction in 2013 to the benefit of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
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This 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible was the first of the all-new Corvette Stingray convertibles and when it fetched $1,000,000, that translated to another approximate 10-1 ratio from the retail to auction price. The car was sold at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction in 2013 to the benefit of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
When this GT350R Ford Shelby VIN #001 sold at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale Auction in January 2015, it fetched $1,000,000. The new GT350R Ford Shelby featured a flat-plane crankshaft and contained the most powerful, naturally aspirated engine Ford had produced to that time.
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When this GT350R Ford Shelby VIN #001 sold at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale Auction in January 2015, it fetched $1,000,000. The new GT350R Ford Shelby featured a flat-plane crankshaft and contained the most powerful, naturally aspirated engine Ford had produced to that time.
Las Vegas icons Wayne Newton and Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller) were on the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction block to encourage bidding for this 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat VIN 001 in September, 2014. The spruiking worked, as bidding went to $825,000.
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Las Vegas icons Wayne Newton and Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller) were on the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction block to encourage bidding for this 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat VIN 001 in September, 2014. The spruiking worked, as bidding went to $825,000.
This 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible fetched $800,000 at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction, with all proceeds going to the United Way charity
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This 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible fetched $800,000 at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction, with all proceeds going to the United Way charity
This 2007 Maserati Quattroporte raised $790,000 at the 2007 Naples Winter Wine Festival. The money was raised by conducting a $5,000-a-ticket, 200 ticket raffle.
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This 2007 Maserati Quattroporte raised $790,000 at the 2007 Naples Winter Wine Festival. The money was raised by conducting a $5,000-a-ticket, 200 ticket raffle.
In retrospect, the price of the very first Rolls-Royce Dawn was remarkably low considering it is a rare thing for Rolls-Royce to introduce an entirely new model. On Saturday, January 30, 2016, a winning bid of $750,000 secured this honor for an avid car collector as he became the first owner of an entirely new line of Rolls-Royce cars at the Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida
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In retrospect, the price of the very first Rolls-Royce Dawn was remarkably low considering it is a rare thing for Rolls-Royce to introduce an entirely new model. On Saturday, January 30, 2016, a winning bid of $750,000 secured this honor for an avid car collector as he became the first owner of an entirely new line of Rolls-Royce cars at the Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida
This 2015 BMW M5 fetched $700,000 at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction, with all proceeds going to the BMW Car Club of America Foundation
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This 2015 BMW M5 fetched $700,000 at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction, with all proceeds going to the BMW Car Club of America Foundation
Ferrari donated a 2007 Ferrari FF to the benefit of the victims of the 2011 Japanese earthquake. The car fetched approximately $710,000 in an auction at a private function at the Italian Embassy in Tokyo on July 3, 2011.
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Ferrari donated a 2007 Ferrari FF to the benefit of the victims of the 2011 Japanese earthquake. The car fetched approximately $710,000 in an auction at a private function at the Italian Embassy in Tokyo on July 3, 2011.
One of the primary catalysts that kicked off this goodwill new-car-charity-auction marketplace was the auction of the first Ford Shelby GT500 Fastback. The success of the exercise, which played out in front of Ford's top brass at the 2006 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, convinced Ford of the viability of leveraging its VIN #001 cars on Barrett-Jackson's televised auctions for the benefit of all. Ford's commitment convinced the other members of the big three to enjoin battle and ... the rest was history.
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One of the primary catalysts that kicked off this goodwill new-car-charity-auction marketplace was the auction of the first Ford Shelby GT500 Fastback. The success of the exercise, which played out in front of Ford's top brass at the 2006 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, convinced Ford of the viability of leveraging its VIN #001 cars on Barrett-Jackson's televised auctions for the benefit of all. Ford's commitment convinced the other members of the big three to enjoin battle and ... the rest was history.
This Ferrari 458 Italia sold for $950,000 at the 2011 Naples Winter Wine Festival
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This Ferrari 458 Italia sold for $950,000 at the 2011 Naples Winter Wine Festival
This Mercedes AMG SLS Roadster sold for $450,000 at the 2012 Naples Winter Wine Festival
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This Mercedes AMG SLS Roadster sold for $450,000 at the 2012 Naples Winter Wine Festival
This 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Racing C7.R sold for $500,000 at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction, with all proceeds going to the benefit of the College for Creative Studies
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This 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Racing C7.R sold for $500,000 at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction, with all proceeds going to the benefit of the College for Creative Studies
This 2017 McLaren 570 GT sold for $480,000 at the 2017 Naples Winter Wine Festival
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This 2017 McLaren 570 GT sold for $480,000 at the 2017 Naples Winter Wine Festival
This Ferrari F88 Spyder fetched $650,000 at the 2016 Naples Winter Wine Festival
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This Ferrari F88 Spyder fetched $650,000 at the 2016 Naples Winter Wine Festival
This Ferrari F12 Berlinetta sold for $750,000 at the 2013 Naples Winter Wine Festival.
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This Ferrari F12 Berlinetta sold for $750,000 at the 2013 Naples Winter Wine Festival.
Number #45 of 100, this 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Lamborghini Aventador, sold for $900,000 at the 2014 Naples Winter Wine Festival. The car sold with access to the inaugural US event for the Lamborghini Experienza program. Only 20 of these rare cars were available in the United States.
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Number #45 of 100, this 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Lamborghini Aventador, sold for $900,000 at the 2014 Naples Winter Wine Festival. The car sold with access to the inaugural US event for the Lamborghini Experienza program. Only 20 of these rare cars were available in the United States.
This 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith sold for $750,000 at the 2014 Naples Winter Wine Festival
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This 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith sold for $750,000 at the 2014 Naples Winter Wine Festival
The final Mercedes SLS AMG model was known as the Mercedes SLS AMG GT Final Edition. The last iteration of the gull-winged supercar sold for $420,000 at the 2015 Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida
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The final Mercedes SLS AMG model was known as the Mercedes SLS AMG GT Final Edition. The last iteration of the gull-winged supercar sold for $420,000 at the 2015 Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida
This 2015 Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 sold for $450,000 at the 2015 Naples Winter Wine Festival
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This 2015 Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 sold for $450,000 at the 2015 Naples Winter Wine Festival
This 2016 Ford Focus RS fetched $550,000 at the 2016 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, with all proceeds going to JDRF
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This 2016 Ford Focus RS fetched $550,000 at the 2016  Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, with all proceeds going to JDRF
This 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS sold for $500,000 at the 2014 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction
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This 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS sold for $500,000 at the 2014 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction
The “First Retailable Unit Built” Corvette ZR1 went to auction at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale on Saturday, January 19, 2008, fetching $1 million. Given that a hamburger-with-the-lot ZR1 cost $105,000 when they went on sale, that's another remarkable price multiple approaching x10.
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The “First Retailable Unit Built” Corvette ZR1 went to auction at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale on Saturday, January 19, 2008, fetching $1 million. Given that a hamburger-with-the-lot ZR1 cost $105,000 when they went on sale, that's another remarkable price multiple approaching x10.
This Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible sold for $500,000 at the 2013 Barrett-Jackson Reno Tahoe Auction
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This Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible sold for $500,000 at the 2013 Barrett-Jackson Reno Tahoe Auction
The Indian Motorcycle Company was founded in 1901 and it was a natural marketing match for it to join forces with Jack Daniel's Distillery to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Jack Daniel's in 2016. The partnership of the iconic brands created a Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Chief Vintage liquor and 150 limited edition motorcycles officially titled as Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Springfield motorcycles. Each bike came with its own authentic Jack Daniel's barrel top, custom inscribed with the owner's name, bike model, bike number, and the VIN. The 2016 #001 Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Chief Vintage fetched $150,000, with all proceeds going to Operation Ride Home.
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The Indian Motorcycle Company was founded in 1901 and it was a natural marketing match for it to join forces with Jack Daniel's Distillery to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Jack Daniel's in 2016. The partnership of the iconic brands created a Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Chief Vintage liquor and 150 limited edition motorcycles officially titled as Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Springfield motorcycles. Each bike came with its own authentic Jack Daniel's barrel top, custom inscribed with the owner's name, bike model, bike number, and the VIN. The 2016 #001 Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Chief Vintage fetched $150,000, with all proceeds going to Operation Ride Home.
The Indian Motorcycle Company was founded in 1901 and it was a natural marketing match for it to join forces with Jack Daniel's Distillery to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Jack Daniel's in 2016. The partnership of the iconic brands created a Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Chief Vintage liquor and 150 limited edition motorcycles officially titled as Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Springfield motorcycles. Each bike came with its own authentic Jack Daniel's barrel top, custom inscribed with the owner's name, bike model, bike number, and the VIN. The 2016 #001 Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Chief Vintage fetched $150,000, with all proceeds going to Operation Ride Home.
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The Indian Motorcycle Company was founded in 1901 and it was a natural marketing match for it to join forces with Jack Daniel's Distillery to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Jack Daniel's in 2016. The partnership of the iconic brands created a Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Chief Vintage liquor and 150 limited edition motorcycles officially titled as Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Springfield motorcycles. Each bike came with its own authentic Jack Daniel's barrel top, custom inscribed with the owner's name, bike model, bike number, and the VIN. The 2016 #001 Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Chief Vintage fetched $150,000, with all proceeds going to Operation Ride Home.
This 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe sold for $400,000 at a Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction in 2014 with proceeds going to the Care House Oakland County charity
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This 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe sold for $400,000 at a Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction in 2014 with proceeds going to the Care House Oakland County charity
It's unlikely that the record price for a car sold for charity and the record price for a new car will ever be held by the same car. The record is currently held by a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 S NART Spider which sold for $27,700,000 at RM-Sotheby's Monterey auction in August, 2013. The car was donated to charity by the family of Eddie Smith, a close friend of the original North American Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti. When Luigi talked Enzo Ferrari into building some high performance 275 GTB/4 spiders, Eddie bought one of the 10 NART (North American Racing Team) Spiders that were built and the car remained in the family until this sale.
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It's unlikely that the record price for a car sold for charity and the record price for a new car will ever be held by the same car. The record is currently held by a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 S NART Spider which sold for $27,700,000 at RM-Sotheby's Monterey auction in August, 2013. The car was donated to charity by the family of Eddie Smith, a close friend of the original North American Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti. When Luigi talked Enzo Ferrari into building some high performance 275 GTB/4 spiders, Eddie bought one of the 10 NART (North American Racing Team) Spiders that were built and the car remained in the family until this sale.
This Bentley Brooklands coupe sold for $450,000 at the 2008 Naples Winter Wine Festival for the benefit of the Naples Children & Education Foundation. The Bentley Brooklands was a coupe version of the Bentley Arnage produced from 2008 to 2011 in limited numbers with traditional coach-building techniques.
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This Bentley Brooklands coupe sold for $450,000 at the 2008 Naples Winter Wine Festival for the benefit of the Naples Children & Education Foundation. The Bentley Brooklands was a coupe version of the Bentley Arnage produced from 2008 to 2011 in limited numbers with traditional coach-building techniques.
One of the 99 Maybach G650 Landaulets was retained by Mercedes-Benz, and auctioned during the Zoute Grand Prix in Knokke, Belgium on the weekend of the October 6, 2017. The automotive heritage event is one of the stars of the global classic car calendar, and includes a Bonhams auction of elite automobiles. Mercedes-Benz donated the only unspoken-for Maybach G650 Landaulet to one of its pet charities, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and it fetched €1,200,000 ($1,407,875).
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One of the 99 Maybach G650 Landaulets was retained by Mercedes-Benz, and  auctioned during the Zoute Grand Prix in Knokke, Belgium on the weekend of the October 6, 2017. The automotive heritage event is one of the stars of the global classic car calendar, and includes a Bonhams auction of elite automobiles. Mercedes-Benz donated the only unspoken-for Maybach G650 Landaulet to one of its pet charities, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and it fetched  €1,200,000 ($1,407,875).
The charity new car auction marketplace is so new that almost all of the cars in our Top 40 list have sold in the last four years, and more than half in the last two years
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The charity new car auction marketplace is so new that almost all of the cars in our Top 40 list have sold in the last four years, and more than half in the last two years
The 400th and final Enzo Ferrari was originally given to His Holiness Pope John Paul II by Ferrari. The Pope asked that it be sold and the proceeds donated to charity, which was done at Sotheby's single-marque Ferrari sale conducted at Maranello, Italy in June, 2005, fetching $1,282,987. The car subsequently became part of the famed Pinnacle Collection which sold at RM-Sotheby's Monterey Sale in August 2015. A decade after it first sold for $1.28 million, the final Enzo fetched $6,050,000.
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The 400th and final Enzo Ferrari  was originally given to His Holiness Pope John Paul II by Ferrari. The Pope asked that it be sold and the proceeds donated to charity, which was done at Sotheby's single-marque Ferrari sale conducted at Maranello, Italy in June, 2005, fetching $1,282,987. The car subsequently became part of the famed Pinnacle Collection which sold at RM-Sotheby's Monterey Sale in August 2015. A decade after it first sold for $1.28 million, the final Enzo fetched $6,050,000.
This 2016 Porsche 911 R fetched $551,509 (€515,200) on February 8, 2017 at RM Sotheby's Paris 2017 with some of the proceeds going to the Gustave Roussy Foundation. We elected not to give the car an official listing.
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This 2016 Porsche 911 R fetched $551,509 (€515,200) on February 8, 2017 at RM Sotheby's Paris 2017 with some of the proceeds going to the Gustave Roussy Foundation. We elected not to give the car an official listing.
This 2013 Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide became the most expensive motorcycle ever sold new at auction when it fetched $330,938 (€241,500) at Bonhams Grand Palais Sale on February 6, 2014. The remarkable price fetched by this motorcycle represents the highest retail-to-auction-price-ratio of any vehicle on this list, selling at roughly 25 times its showroom value thanks to its Holy alliance. The sale put the Harley inside the top 25 most valuable motorcycles ever sold.
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This 2013 Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide became the most expensive motorcycle ever sold new at auction when it fetched $330,938 (€241,500) at Bonhams Grand Palais Sale on February 6, 2014. The remarkable price fetched by this motorcycle represents the highest retail-to-auction-price-ratio of any vehicle on this list, selling at roughly 25 times its showroom value thanks to its Holy alliance. The sale put the Harley inside the top 25 most valuable motorcycles ever sold.
Carroll Shelby with the 2004 Ford Shelby Cobra Concept Car in 2004. The concept car was sold by GAA Classic Cars Auctions in Greensboro, North Carolina for $825,000 on November 5, 2017 with all proceeds going to the restoration of Fair Lane, the 1915 estate of Henry and Clara Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. Though this car was sold some 13 years after it was built, it was new and unused.
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Carroll Shelby with the 2004 Ford Shelby Cobra Concept Car in 2004. The concept car was sold by GAA Classic Cars Auctions in Greensboro, North Carolina for $825,000 on November 5, 2017 with all proceeds going to the restoration of Fair Lane, the 1915 estate of Henry and Clara Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. Though this car was sold some 13 years after it was built, it was new and unused.
Land Rover made quite an effort to celebrate the two-millionth Land Rover being manufactured in May 2015. Production of the iconic Land Rover had begun at the Solihull plant in 1948 and most landmark vehicles produced there (such as the millionth car) had been retained for the company museum. The auction car was given a bespoke design by Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations team, and an all-star cast of 33 notables and brand ambassadors built the vehicle, including Bear Grylls, Virginia McKenna OBE and Stephen and Nick Wilks, sons of the founders of Land Rover. All proceeds went to IFRC, which will use the donation to help communities in South-East Nepal to improve how they tackle natural disasters, and the Born Free Foundation, which plan to use the funds to support the 'Project Lion Rover' wildlife conservation initiative in Meru National Park, Kenya. The 2015 Land Rover Defender 90 fetched: $596,482 (£400,000) on December 16, 2015 at a Bonhams Special Auction to the benefit of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
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Land Rover made quite an effort to celebrate the two-millionth Land Rover being manufactured in May 2015. Production of the iconic Land Rover had begun at the Solihull plant in 1948 and most landmark vehicles produced there (such as the millionth car) had been retained for the company museum. The auction car was given a bespoke design by Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations team, and an all-star cast of 33 notables and brand ambassadors built the vehicle, including Bear Grylls, Virginia McKenna OBE and Stephen and Nick Wilks, sons of the founders of Land Rover. All proceeds went to IFRC, which will use the donation to help communities in South-East Nepal to improve how they tackle natural disasters, and the Born Free Foundation, which plan to use the funds to support the 'Project Lion Rover' wildlife conservation initiative in Meru National Park, Kenya. The 2015 Land Rover Defender 90 fetched: $596,482 (£400,000) on December 16, 2015 at a  Bonhams Special Auction to the benefit of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
This Stinger Indy Car bears the signature of every living Indianapolis 500 driver and sold for $1,034,000 at a Mecum Indy 2016 Auction on May 24, 2016. It doesn't quite qualify as a new car, but is a wonderful example of how value can be created for a good cause.
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This Stinger Indy Car bears the signature of every living Indianapolis 500 driver and sold for $1,034,000 at a Mecum Indy 2016 Auction on May 24, 2016. It doesn't quite qualify as a new car, but is a wonderful example of how value can be created for a good cause.
As part of one of the longest pre-release sagas in automotive history, the first production NSX was auctioned by Barrett-Jackson and sold for $1.2 million, approximately six times the fully optioned price of $207,500. The Acura NSX is also the first American designed and built car on this list.
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As part of one of the longest pre-release sagas in automotive history, the first production NSX was auctioned by Barrett-Jackson and sold for $1.2 million, approximately six times the fully optioned price of $207,500. The Acura NSX is also the first American designed and built car on this list.
The record price for a new car at auction and the record price for a 21st century car at auction both fell at RM Sotheby's Leggenda E Passione sale on September 9, 2017, when a new 2017 LaFerrari Aperta fetched €8,300,000 (US$9,989,582). The yet-to-be-built auction car was the 210th and only unsold LaFerrari Aperta and went well past its estimate of €3,000,000 to €4,000,000 (US$3.3 to $4.4 million) to capture the record previously held by a hardtop one-of-500 LaFerrari at US$7 million.
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The record price for a new car at auction and the record price for a 21st century car at auction both fell at RM Sotheby's Leggenda E Passione sale on September 9, 2017, when a new 2017 LaFerrari Aperta fetched €8,300,000 (US$9,989,582). The yet-to-be-built auction car was the 210th and only unsold LaFerrari Aperta and went well past its estimate of €3,000,000 to €4,000,000 (US$3.3 to $4.4 million) to capture the record previously held by a hardtop one-of-500 LaFerrari at US$7 million.
This custom cabernet-colored Rolls Royce Phantom was engraved with the Naples Winter Wine Auction insignia and fetched $800,000 at the 2005 Naples Winter Wine Festival
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This custom cabernet-colored Rolls Royce Phantom was engraved with the Naples Winter Wine Auction insignia and fetched $800,000 at the 2005 Naples Winter Wine Festival
This McLaren 720S will be auctioned at the 2018 Naples Winter Wine Festival to be held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, Florida on January 27, 2018
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This McLaren 720S will be auctioned at  the  2018 Naples Winter Wine Festival to be held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, Florida on January 27, 2018
This 2019 Bentley Continental GT will be auctioned at the 2018 Naples Winter Wine Festival to be held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, Florida on January 27, 2018
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This 2019 Bentley Continental GT will be auctioned at  the  2018 Naples Winter Wine Festival to be held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, Florida on January 27, 2018
This Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII will be auctioned at the 2018 Naples Winter Wine Festival to be held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, Florida on January 27, 2018
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This Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII will be auctioned at  the  2018 Naples Winter Wine Festival to be held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, Florida on January 27, 2018
In January 2015, we reported on the sale of the Ron Pratte Collection for $40.4 million. Ron Pratte is still involved in the automotive trade though, and has donated a 2017 Ford GT to be sold for charity at Barrett-Jackson's 2018 Scottsdale auction on January 21, 2018. All proceeds will go to the Evernham Family-Racing for a Reason Foundation to the benefit of the Autism Society of North Carolina's Ignite Program
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In January 2015, we reported on the sale of the Ron Pratte Collection for $40.4 million. Ron Pratte is still involved in the automotive trade though, and has donated a 2017 Ford GT to be sold for charity at Barrett-Jackson's 2018 Scottsdale auction on January 21, 2018. All proceeds will go to the Evernham Family-Racing for a Reason Foundation to the benefit of the Autism Society of North Carolina's Ignite Program
To be sold at RM-Sotheby's Monaco Auction on May 12, 2018, this 2018 Lamborghini Huracán Coupé was given to the Pope, who asked that it be sold for the benefit of charity. All proceeds from the sale of the car will be donated to the Vatican, which will allocate the funds to charities of its choice.
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To be sold at RM-Sotheby's Monaco Auction on May 12, 2018, this 2018 Lamborghini Huracán Coupé was given to the Pope, who asked that it be sold for the benefit of charity. All proceeds from the sale of the car will be donated to the Vatican, which will allocate the funds to charities of its choice.
This 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Vin #001 will be sold at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale auction on January 20, 2018 with all proceeds going to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation
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This 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Vin #001 will be sold at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale auction on January 20, 2018 with all proceeds going to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation
This 2016 Ford Shelby GT350 sold for $700,000 at Gooding & Company's 2015 Pebble Beach Auction, benefiting the George W Bush Institute's Military Service Initiative
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This 2016 Ford Shelby GT350 sold for $700,000 at Gooding & Company's  2015 Pebble Beach Auction, benefiting the George W Bush Institute's Military Service Initiative
This Shelby Cobra Concept Car was built by Ford in 2004, but never saw production. It was sold by GAA Classic Cars Auctions in Greensboro, North Carolina for $825,000 on November 5, 2017 with all proceeds going to the restoration of Fair Lane, the 1915 estate of Henry and Clara Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. Though this car was sold some 13 years after it was built, it was new and unused.
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This Shelby Cobra Concept Car was built by Ford in 2004, but never saw production. It was sold by GAA Classic Cars Auctions in Greensboro, North Carolina for $825,000 on November 5, 2017 with all proceeds going to the restoration of Fair Lane, the 1915 estate of Henry and Clara Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. Though this car was sold some 13 years after it was built, it was new and unused.
This 2014 Chevrolet Camaro COPO, VIN #001, fetched $700,000 at Barrett-Jackson's 2014 Scottsdale Auction, on January 17, 2014
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This 2014 Chevrolet Camaro COPO, VIN #001, fetched $700,000 at Barrett-Jackson's 2014 Scottsdale Auction, on January 17, 2014
This 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 2-Door fetched $650,000 at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale auction on January 18, 2014
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This 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 2-Door fetched $650,000 at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale auction on January 18, 2014
Auctioneer extraordinaire Charlie Ross working the crowd at Beverly Hills City Hall during Ferrari's 60th anniversary of doing business in the United States celebrations on October 12, 2014. Ross auctioned the first of 499 examples of the Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta. The car wore VIN #001 and fetched $900,000 to the benefit of Daybreak.
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Auctioneer extraordinaire Charlie Ross working the crowd at Beverly Hills City Hall during Ferrari's 60th anniversary of doing business in the United States celebrations on October 12, 2014. Ross auctioned the first of 499 examples of the Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta. The car wore VIN #001 and fetched $900,000 to the benefit of Daybreak.
Jay Leno during the auctioning of the first BMW i8, a Concours d'Elegance Edition which fetched $825,000 at Gooding & Company's 2014 Pebble Beach Auction, on August 16, 2014
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Jay Leno during the auctioning of the first BMW i8, a Concours d'Elegance Edition which fetched $825,000 at Gooding & Company's 2014 Pebble Beach Auction, on August 16, 2014
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View gallery - 69 images

Updated October 29, 2018 "Win-win" and "synergetic" are oft overused terms that rarely describe a business situation accurately. Most business circumstance boils down to a zero-sum-game, where one player's gain is another player's loss. That said, the relatively recent practice of auctioning new cars for charity appears to be a non-zero-sum-game where significant gains can be made by all concerned, and the biggest winners are those who need it most.

This article was originally catalysed in December, 2017, when McLaren sold one of its just-announced Senna road-registerable track cars for £2 million (US$2,685,460 excluding taxes) at a private auction. It has since been developed into the top 50 charity auction new car sales.

McLaren kept back one "build spot" of the hand-built, 500-units-only Senna and sprung an impromptu auction for that coveted remaining car on an unsuspecting annual gathering of the most devoted and passionate (and monied) McLaren enthusiasts.

For McLaren, the cost of the exercise is the build price of the Senna, which one assumes is considerably less than the £750,000 (US$1,004,662) which 499 customers paid for the privilege of buying a car with the name Senna on it. The much-loved Ayrton Senna is one of a handful of people with any legitimate claim on the title of the Greatest-Of-All-Time, and he's the only one in that group associated with just one marque. He might have driven the wheels off the Ralt, Toleman, Lotus and Williams cars he raced, but 35 of his 41 F1 wins and all three World Formula One Drivers Championships were achieved in a McLaren.

For that build price of say £500,000, McLaren got to donate £2 million to charity, and given a publicity machine as well-tuned as every other facet of a world's-best-practice company, it can leverage that donation into gold-plated corporate citizenship.

So McLaren wins, the Instituto Ayrton Senna gets a desperately-needed US$2,685,460 to promote its belief that "education is the key to a better world" in Brazil, and one person who really wanted a 789 hp, 1,198 kg McLaren Senna but didn't make the invitation list first time around, got their wish. Presumably, once his accountants have worked the charity angle at tax time, he'll win some more.

Scarcity driving value is the core principle of the laws of supply and demand, but on an even more granular level, cars that are limited editions, or the first or last of a species, also sell for more at auction, even five or six decades after they are new.

Hence, those same cars should be worth more when they are new, and it took the automotive community more than 100 years to recognize that fact because the first time we can find an example of VIN #001 being sold new at auction was the first Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 in January, 2006.

One of the primary catalysts that kicked off this goodwill new-car-charity-auction marketplace was the auction of the first Ford Shelby GT500 Fastback. The success of the exercise, which played out in front of Ford's top brass at the 2006 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, convinced Ford of the viability of leveraging its VIN #001 cars on Barrett-Jackson's televised auctions for the benefit of all. Ford's commitment convinced the other members of the big three to enjoin battle and ... the rest was history.
One of the primary catalysts that kicked off this goodwill new-car-charity-auction marketplace was the auction of the first Ford Shelby GT500 Fastback. The success of the exercise, which played out in front of Ford's top brass at the 2006 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, convinced Ford of the viability of leveraging its VIN #001 cars on Barrett-Jackson's televised auctions for the benefit of all. Ford's commitment convinced the other members of the big three to enjoin battle and ... the rest was history.

The announcement of the reprise of the Shelby Cobra GT500 in 2005 (that's the original and the final 2006 production model above) created such a stir in the performance car community, that Ford came up with the concept of auctioning off the first model off the line – VIN #001 – during Barrett-Jackson's televised Scottsdale 35th Anniversary auction in January, 2006, and donating the proceeds to the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation.

It proved to be a master stroke in publicity terms, and a momentous occasion for the industry as both Edsel Ford and Carroll Shelby attended the Barrett-Jackson event and bidding went to $660,000 (including buyers fees), an unprecedented figure at the time.

From that point forward, Ford realized that selling VIN #001 cars on the auction block unlocked much latent value, that a donation of x (x = cost to manufacture the car) resulted in a contribution to charity of 5-10 times the retail value, and the goodwill, indeed the sheer GOOD generated by the event reflected well on everyone involved.

"Much like the Mustang ushered in a new era of competition between the automakers in the 1960s, Ford's use of our auction block to sell VIN 001 vehicles created a stir," says Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson, reflecting on how Ford's initiative catalyzed a "corporate fight club."

"GM jumped into the fray with both feet, which compelled Chrysler to join the competition. Best of all, the cars were sold to benefit charity, so everyone truly wins."

Barrett-Jackson in particular needs to be commended for its never-ending contributions to charity. In the 47-year history of the auction company, it has now raised more than $94 million for charity and almost single-handed, it has manifested this marketplace.

At the same time that Barrett-Jackson was stirring the pot with the big three American car makers in 2006, a new charity in Florida was finding its feet.

The Naples Winter Wine Festival

There are tens of thousands of charities around the world, and they all support worthwhile causes but the Naples Winter Wine Festival truly deserves some credit for its organisational capacity, execution of the difficult with elegance and its sheer proactive nature.

The Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF) was established in 2001 with the vision of making a profound and sustaining difference in the lives of children in Collier County, Florida. The founders created the Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF) in order to meet NCEF's mission statement.

Within a three years of beginning the NWWF, it surpassed the iconic and long-standing Napa Valley Wine Festival as the dominant fundraiser in the country and was attracting vintners, chefs and entertainment personalities from across the world. It has been regularly fighting with Napa Valley Wine Festival for top place in Wine Spectator magazine's ranking of the most successful charity wine auctions ever since, with such extraordinary professionalism in every visible aspect of its performance that it is worth studying as a benchmark for excellence. Such eminence is not usually associated with charities and fundraising.

One of the many key facets of the NWWF, is that it didn't just sell donated wine, it went after delivering experiences that couldn't be otherwise accessed, and exclusive automobiles was one of those experiences.

When Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini, Ferrari et al have limited edition cars, the size of their dedicated audience is so great that many esteemed individuals with a track record for purchasing a particular brand's new models miss the cut.

We're not quite sure how the NWWF managed to convince these established brands to part with key models, but for the last decade, the NWWF has been consistently delivering "the first available car" of many prestige brands and many significant models, then leveraging that value very effectively.

In a mature industry such as the automotive industry, it is worth noting that the Naples Winter Festival, a charity that is just 16 years old, has sold half the cars on the list below. That is a truly extraordinary performance, because doing it sustainably involves delivering the type of widespread positive publicity that those brands expect.

Corporate Citizenship

Good corporate citizenship is increasingly becoming an important factor in the annual report and this has become evident on the auction block where the additional value of milestone automotive models is being unlocked and retained for the benefit of charity, while significantly enhancing value to the donating company via advanced Public Relations.

The most expensive new cars sold at auction

The following list contains all new cars that have sold at auction for charity for more than US$400,000. As with many of the other lists we have constructed at New Atlas – such as the most expensive cars, the most expensive motorcycles, the most expensive movie cars, the most expensive guitars, the most expensive dresses, the most valuable scientific documents, and so on – we calculate all prices in United States dollars, based on exchange rates on the day of the sale.

This list has been developed over an eight month period, but even then, it may still be incomplete. So if you know of a new car that has sold at auction to the benefit of a charity for more than US$400,000, please email us at editor@newatlas.com with the details and we'll look into adding it to the list.

51 - 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

This 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe sold for $400,000 at a Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction in 2014 with proceeds going to the Care House Oakland County charity
This 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe sold for $400,000 at a Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction in 2014 with proceeds going to the Care House Oakland County charity

Price fetched: $400,000

Corporate Benefactor: Chevrolet | Date: September 26, 2014

Venue: Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction

Charity: Care House Oakland County

50 - 2015 Mercedes SLS AMG GT Final Edition

The final Mercedes SLS AMG model was known as the Mercedes SLS AMG GT Final Edition. The last iteration of the gull-winged supercar sold for $420,000 at the 2015 Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida
The final Mercedes SLS AMG model was known as the Mercedes SLS AMG GT Final Edition. The last iteration of the gull-winged supercar sold for $420,000 at the 2015 Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Price fetched: $420,000

Corporate Benefactor: Mercedes-Benz | Date: January 24, 2015

Venue: Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Charity: Naples Children & Education Foundation

49 - 2015 Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4

This 2015 Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 sold for $450,000 at the 2015 Naples Winter Wine Festival
This 2015 Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 sold for $450,000 at the 2015 Naples Winter Wine Festival

Price fetched: $450,000

Corporate Benefactor: Lamborghini | Date: January 24, 2015

Venue: Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Charity: Naples Children & Education Foundation

48 - Bentley Brooklands coupe

This Bentley Brooklands coupe sold for $450,000 at the 2008 Naples Winter Wine Festival for the benefit of the Naples Children & Education Foundation. The Bentley Brooklands was a coupe version of the Bentley Arnage produced from 2008 to 2011 in limited numbers with traditional coach-building techniques.
This Bentley Brooklands coupe sold for $450,000 at the 2008 Naples Winter Wine Festival for the benefit of the Naples Children & Education Foundation. The Bentley Brooklands was a coupe version of the Bentley Arnage produced from 2008 to 2011 in limited numbers with traditional coach-building techniques.

Price fetched: $450,000

Corporate Benefactor: Bentley | Date: January 26, 2008

Venue: Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Charity: Naples Children & Education Foundation

The first Bentley Brooklands destined for the US market fetched $450,000. The Bentley Brooklands was a coupe version of the Bentley Arnage produced from 2008 to 2011 in limited numbers with traditional coach-building techniques.

47 - 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

This Mercedes AMG SLS Roadster sold for $450,000 at the 2012 Naples Winter Wine Festival
This Mercedes AMG SLS Roadster sold for $450,000 at the 2012 Naples Winter Wine Festival

Price fetched: $450,000

Corporate Benefactor: Mercedes-Benz | Date: January 29, 2012

Venue: Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Charity: Naples Children & Education Foundation

46 - 2017 McLaren 570 GT

This 2017 McLaren 570 GT sold for $480,000 at the 2017 Naples Winter Wine Festival
This 2017 McLaren 570 GT sold for $480,000 at the 2017 Naples Winter Wine Festival

Price fetched: $480,000

Corporate Benefactor: McLaren | Date: January 28, 2017

Venue: Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Charity: Naples Children & Education Foundation

43 - 2014 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible

This Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible sold for $500,000 at the 2013 Barrett-Jackson Reno Tahoe Auction
This Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible sold for $500,000 at the 2013 Barrett-Jackson Reno Tahoe Auction

Price fetched: $500,000

Corporate Benefactor: Ford | Date: August 10, 2013

Venue: Barrett-Jackson Reno Tahoe Auction

Charity: Brain Injury Association of America

43 - 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS

This 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS sold for $500,000 at the 2014 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction
This 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS sold for $500,000 at the 2014 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction

Price fetched: $500,000

Corporate Benefactor: Chevrolet | Date: September 26, 2014

Venue: Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction

Charity: Kettering University

43 - 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Racing C7.R

This 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Racing C7.R sold for $500,000 at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction, with all proceeds going to the benefit of the College for Creative Studies
This 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Racing C7.R sold for $500,000 at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction, with all proceeds going to the benefit of the College for Creative Studies

Price fetched: $500,000

Corporate Benefactor: Chevrolet | Date: September 26, 2015

Venue: Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction

Charity: College for Creative Studies

42 - 2019 Bentley Continental GT

This 2019 Bentley Continental GT will be auctioned at the 2018 Naples Winter Wine Festival to be held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, Florida on January 27, 2018
This 2019 Bentley Continental GT will be auctioned at  the  2018 Naples Winter Wine Festival to be held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, Florida on January 27, 2018

Price fetched: $520,000

Corporate Benefactor: Bentley | Date: January 27, 2018

Venue: Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Charity: Naples Children & Education Foundation

41 - 2016 Ford Focus RS

This 2016 Ford Focus RS fetched $550,000 at the 2016 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, with all proceeds going to JDRF
This 2016 Ford Focus RS fetched $550,000 at the 2016  Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, with all proceeds going to JDRF

Price fetched: $550,000

Corporate Benefactor: Ford | Date: January 30, 2016

Venue: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction

Charity: JDRF

40 - 2015 Land Rover Defender 90

Land Rover made quite an effort to celebrate the two-millionth Land Rover being manufactured in May 2015. Production of the iconic Land Rover had begun at the Solihull plant in 1948 and most landmark vehicles produced there (such as the millionth car) had been retained for the company museum. The auction car was given a bespoke design by Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations team, and an all-star cast of 33 notables and brand ambassadors built the vehicle, including Bear Grylls, Virginia McKenna OBE and Stephen and Nick Wilks, sons of the founders of Land Rover. All proceeds went to IFRC, which will use the donation to help communities in South-East Nepal to improve how they tackle natural disasters, and the Born Free Foundation, which plan to use the funds to support the 'Project Lion Rover' wildlife conservation initiative in Meru National Park, Kenya. The 2015 Land Rover Defender 90 fetched: $596,482 (£400,000) on December 16, 2015 at a Bonhams Special Auction to the benefit of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
Land Rover made quite an effort to celebrate the two-millionth Land Rover being manufactured in May 2015. Production of the iconic Land Rover had begun at the Solihull plant in 1948 and most landmark vehicles produced there (such as the millionth car) had been retained for the company museum. The auction car was given a bespoke design by Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations team, and an all-star cast of 33 notables and brand ambassadors built the vehicle, including Bear Grylls, Virginia McKenna OBE and Stephen and Nick Wilks, sons of the founders of Land Rover. All proceeds went to IFRC, which will use the donation to help communities in South-East Nepal to improve how they tackle natural disasters, and the Born Free Foundation, which plan to use the funds to support the 'Project Lion Rover' wildlife conservation initiative in Meru National Park, Kenya. The 2015 Land Rover Defender 90 fetched: $596,482 (£400,000) on December 16, 2015 at a  Bonhams Special Auction to the benefit of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Price fetched: $596,482 (GBP£400,000)

Corporate Benefactor: Land Rover | Date: December 16, 2015

Venue: Bonhams Special Auction

Charity: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Land Rover made quite an effort to celebrate the two-millionth Land Rover being manufactured in May 2015. Production of the iconic Land Rover had begun at the Solihull plant in 1948 and most landmark vehicles produced there (such as the millionth car) had been retained for the company museum.

The auction car was given a bespoke design by Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations team, and an all-star cast of 33 notables and brand ambassadors built the vehicle, including Bear Grylls, Virginia McKenna OBE and Stephen and Nick Wilks, sons of the founders of Land Rover. All proceeds went to IFRC, which will use the donation to help communities in South-East Nepal to improve how they tackle natural disasters, and the Born Free Foundation which plans to use the funds to support the "Project Lion Rover" wildlife conservation initiative in Meru National Park, Kenya.

37 - 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 2-Door

This 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 2-Door fetched $650,000 at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale auction on January 18, 2014
This 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 2-Door fetched $650,000 at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale auction on January 18, 2014

Price fetched: $650,000

Corporate Benefactor: Chevrolet | Date: January 18, 2014

Venue: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

Charity: Cornerstone Schools

37 - 2016 Ferrari F88 Spyder

This Ferrari F88 Spyder fetched $650,000 at the 2016 Naples Winter Wine Festival
This Ferrari F88 Spyder fetched $650,000 at the 2016 Naples Winter Wine Festival

Price fetched: $650,000

Corporate Benefactor: Ferrari | Date: January 30, 2016

Venue: Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Charity: Naples Children & Education Foundation

37 - 2018 McLaren 720S by McLaren Special Operations

This McLaren 720S will be auctioned at the 2018 Naples Winter Wine Festival to be held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, Florida on January 27, 2018
This McLaren 720S will be auctioned at  the  2018 Naples Winter Wine Festival to be held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, Florida on January 27, 2018

Price fetched: $650,000

Corporate Benefactor: McLaren | Date: January 27, 2018

Venue: Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Charity: Naples Children & Education Foundation

36 - 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 Fastback

One of the primary catalysts that kicked off this goodwill new-car-charity-auction marketplace was the auction of the first Ford Shelby GT500 Fastback. The success of the exercise, which played out in front of Ford's top brass at the 2006 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, convinced Ford of the viability of leveraging its VIN #001 cars on Barrett-Jackson's televised auctions for the benefit of all. Ford's commitment convinced the other members of the big three to enjoin battle and ... the rest was history.
One of the primary catalysts that kicked off this goodwill new-car-charity-auction marketplace was the auction of the first Ford Shelby GT500 Fastback. The success of the exercise, which played out in front of Ford's top brass at the 2006 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, convinced Ford of the viability of leveraging its VIN #001 cars on Barrett-Jackson's televised auctions for the benefit of all. Ford's commitment convinced the other members of the big three to enjoin battle and ... the rest was history.

Price fetched: $660,000

Corporate Benefactor: Ford | Date: January 22, 2006

Venue: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, Arizona

Charity: Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation

One of the primary catalysts that kicked off this goodwill marketplace, the auction of the first Ford Shelby GT500 Fastback convinced Ford of the viability of leveraging its VIN #001 cars on Barrett-Jackson's televised auctions for the benefit of all, and Ford's initiative saw the other members of the big three follow suit.

33 - 2014 Chevrolet Camaro COPO

This 2014 Chevrolet Camaro COPO, VIN #001, fetched $700,000 at Barrett-Jackson's 2014 Scottsdale Auction, on January 17, 2014
This 2014 Chevrolet Camaro COPO, VIN #001, fetched $700,000 at Barrett-Jackson's 2014 Scottsdale Auction, on January 17, 2014

Price fetched: $700,000

Corporate Benefactor: Chevrolet | Date: January 17, 2014

Venue: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, Arizona

Charity: Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans

33 - 2016 Ford Shelby GT350

This 2016 Ford Shelby GT350 sold for $700,000 at Gooding & Company's 2015 Pebble Beach Auction, benefiting the George W Bush Institute's Military Service Initiative
This 2016 Ford Shelby GT350 sold for $700,000 at Gooding & Company's  2015 Pebble Beach Auction, benefiting the George W Bush Institute's Military Service Initiative

Price fetched: $700,000

Corporate Benefactor: Ford / George W Bush | Date: August 16, 2015

Venue: Gooding & Co Pebble Beach Auction

Charity: George W. Bush Institute's Military Service Initiative

33 - 2015 BMW M5

This 2015 BMW M5 fetched $700,000 at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction, with all proceeds going to the BMW Car Club of America Foundation
This 2015 BMW M5 fetched $700,000 at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction, with all proceeds going to the BMW Car Club of America Foundation

Price fetched: $700,000

Corporate Benefactor: BMW | Date: January 15, 2015

Venue: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction

Charity: BMW Car Club of America Foundation

32 - 2007 Ferrari FF

Ferrari donated a 2007 Ferrari FF to the benefit of the victims of the 2011 Japanese earthquake. The car fetched approximately $710,000 in an auction at a private function at the Italian Embassy in Tokyo on July 3, 2011.
Ferrari donated a 2007 Ferrari FF to the benefit of the victims of the 2011 Japanese earthquake. The car fetched approximately $710,000 in an auction at a private function at the Italian Embassy in Tokyo on July 3, 2011.

Price fetched: $710,000 (approximate)

Corporate Benefactor: Ferrari | Date: July 3, 2011

Venue: Italian Embassy, Tokyo

Charity: For the benefit of victims of the 2011 Japanese earthquake

31 - 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith

This 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith sold for $750,000 at the 2014 Naples Winter Wine Festival
This 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith sold for $750,000 at the 2014 Naples Winter Wine Festival

Price fetched: $750,000

Corporate Benefactor: Rolls-Royce | Date: January 25, 2014

Venue: Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Charity: Naples Children & Education Foundation

30 - 2013 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

This Ferrari F12 Berlinetta sold for $750,000 at the 2013 Naples Winter Wine Festival.
This Ferrari F12 Berlinetta sold for $750,000 at the 2013 Naples Winter Wine Festival.

Price fetched: $750,000

Corporate Benefactor: Ferrari | Date: Jan 26, 2013

Venue: 2013 Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Charity: Naples Children & Education Foundation

29 - Rolls-Royce Dawn

In retrospect, the price of the very first Rolls-Royce Dawn was remarkably low considering it is a rare thing for Rolls-Royce to introduce an entirely new model. On Saturday, January 30, 2016, a winning bid of $750,000 secured this honor for an avid car collector as he became the first owner of an entirely new line of Rolls-Royce cars at the Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida
In retrospect, the price of the very first Rolls-Royce Dawn was remarkably low considering it is a rare thing for Rolls-Royce to introduce an entirely new model. On Saturday, January 30, 2016, a winning bid of $750,000 secured this honor for an avid car collector as he became the first owner of an entirely new line of Rolls-Royce cars at the Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Price fetched: $750,000

Corporate Benefactor: Rolls-Royce | Date: January 30, 2016

Venue: Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Charity: Naples Children & Education Foundation

28 - Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII

This custom cabernet-colored Rolls Royce Phantom was engraved with the Naples Winter Wine Auction insignia and fetched $800,000 at the 2005 Naples Winter Wine Festival
This custom cabernet-colored Rolls Royce Phantom was engraved with the Naples Winter Wine Auction insignia and fetched $800,000 at the 2005 Naples Winter Wine Festival

Price fetched: $780,000

Corporate Benefactor: Rolls-Royce, Robb Report, Alpha Omega Winery

Date: January 27, 2018

Venue: Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Charity: Naples Children & Education Foundation

0 - 2007 Maserati Quattroporte

This 2007 Maserati Quattroporte raised $790,000 at the 2007 Naples Winter Wine Festival. The money was raised by conducting a $5,000-a-ticket, 200 ticket raffle.
This 2007 Maserati Quattroporte raised $790,000 at the 2007 Naples Winter Wine Festival. The money was raised by conducting a $5,000-a-ticket, 200 ticket raffle.

Price fetched: $790,000 – achieved with a $5,000-a-ticket, 200 ticket raffle so it doesn't qualify as an auction, but we've included it in the list without an official number as an inspiration for the various ways a charity can extract value from a high priced automotive donation.

Corporate Benefactor: Maserati | Date: January 27, 2007

Venue: Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Charity: Naples Children & Education Foundation

The Maserati Quattroporte was custom-made for the Naples Winter Wine Festival and was finished in "Deep Bordeaux" with twenty-inch ball-polished wheels, carpets and stitching in Bordeaux and customized door moldings, which read "Naples Winter Wine Festival 1 of 1."

26 - 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible

This 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible fetched $800,000 at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction, with all proceeds going to the United Way charity
This 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible fetched $800,000 at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction, with all proceeds going to the United Way charity

Price fetched: $800,000

Corporate Benefactor: Chevrolet | Date: January 16, 2015

Venue: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction

Charity: United Way

26 - 2005 Rolls-Royce Phantom

This custom cabernet-colored Rolls Royce Phantom was engraved with the Naples Winter Wine Auction insignia and fetched $800,000 at the 2005 Naples Winter Wine Festival
This custom cabernet-colored Rolls Royce Phantom was engraved with the Naples Winter Wine Auction insignia and fetched $800,000 at the 2005 Naples Winter Wine Festival

Price fetched: $800,000

Corporate Benefactor: Rolls-Royce | Date: February 5, 2005

Venue: Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Charity: Naples Children & Education Foundation

23 - 2004 Ford Shelby Cobra Concept Car

This Shelby Cobra Concept Car was built by Ford in 2004, but never saw production. It was sold by GAA Classic Cars Auctions in Greensboro, North Carolina for $825,000 on November 5, 2017 with all proceeds going to the restoration of Fair Lane, the 1915 estate of Henry and Clara Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. Though this car was sold some 13 years after it was built, it was new and unused.
This Shelby Cobra Concept Car was built by Ford in 2004, but never saw production. It was sold by GAA Classic Cars Auctions in Greensboro, North Carolina for $825,000 on November 5, 2017 with all proceeds going to the restoration of Fair Lane, the 1915 estate of Henry and Clara Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. Though this car was sold some 13 years after it was built, it was new and unused.

Price fetched: $825,000

Corporate Benefactor: Ford | Date: November 5, 2017

Venue: GAA Classic Cars Auction, Greensboro, North Carolina

Charity: the restoration of Fair Lane, the 1915 estate of Henry and Clara Ford in Dearborn, Michigan

23 - BMW i8 Concours d'Elegance Edition

Jay Leno during the auctioning of the first BMW i8, a Concours d'Elegance Edition which fetched $825,000 at Gooding & Company's 2014 Pebble Beach Auction, on August 16, 2014
Jay Leno during the auctioning of the first BMW i8, a Concours d'Elegance Edition which fetched $825,000 at Gooding & Company's 2014 Pebble Beach Auction, on August 16, 2014

Price fetched: $825,000

Corporate Benefactor: BMW | Date: August 16, 2014

Venue: Gooding & Co Pebble Beach Auction

Charity: Pebble Beach Company Foundation

23 - 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT HEMI Hellcat

Las Vegas icons Wayne Newton and Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller) were on the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction block to encourage bidding for this 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat VIN 001 in September, 2014. The spruiking worked, as bidding went to $825,000.
Las Vegas icons Wayne Newton and Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller) were on the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction block to encourage bidding for this 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat VIN 001 in September, 2014. The spruiking worked, as bidding went to $825,000.

Price fetched: $825,000

Corporate Benefactor: Dodge | Date: September 27, 2014

Venue: Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction

Charity: Opportunity Village Foundation

Las Vegas icons Wayne Newton and Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller) were on the Barrett-Jackson auction block to encourage bidding for this 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat VIN 001.

22 - 2017 Mercedes-AMG GT3 'Laureus'

Price fetched: $885,000

Corporate Benefactor: XXXX | Date: XXXX , 201X

Venue: RM-Sotheby's | Monterey, 2018

Charity: Laureus

21 - 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Lamborghini Aventador

Number #45 of 100, this 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Lamborghini Aventador, sold for $900,000 at the 2014 Naples Winter Wine Festival. The car sold with access to the inaugural US event for the Lamborghini Experienza program. Only 20 of these rare cars were available in the United States.
Number #45 of 100, this 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Lamborghini Aventador, sold for $900,000 at the 2014 Naples Winter Wine Festival. The car sold with access to the inaugural US event for the Lamborghini Experienza program. Only 20 of these rare cars were available in the United States.

Price fetched: $900,000

Corporate Benefactor: Lamborghini | Date: January 25, 2014

Venue: Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Charity: Naples Children & Education Foundation

Number #45 of 100 made, this 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Lamborghini Aventador, sold for $900,000 along with access to the inaugural US event for the Lamborghini Experienza program. Only 20 of these rare cars were available in the United States.

20 - Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta

Auctioneer extraordinaire Charlie Ross working the crowd at Beverly Hills City Hall during Ferrari's 60th anniversary of doing business in the United States celebrations on October 12, 2014. Ross auctioned the first of 499 examples of the Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta. The car wore VIN #001 and fetched $900,000 to the benefit of Daybreak.
Auctioneer extraordinaire Charlie Ross working the crowd at Beverly Hills City Hall during Ferrari's 60th anniversary of doing business in the United States celebrations on October 12, 2014. Ross auctioned the first of 499 examples of the Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta. The car wore VIN #001 and fetched $900,000 to the benefit of Daybreak.

Price fetched: $900,000

Corporate Benefactor: Ferrari | Date: October 12, 2014

Venue: Ferrari 60th anniversary in the United States Celebrations

Charity: Daybreak

Auctioneer Charlie Ross brought the guests at Beverly Hills City Hall to their feet as he auctioned the first of 499 examples of the Ferrari 458 Speciale A. The car wore VIN #001.

19 - 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

This 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Vin #001 will be sold at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale auction on January 20, 2018 with all proceeds going to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation
This 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Vin #001 will be sold at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale auction on January 20, 2018 with all proceeds going to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation

Price fetched: $925,000

Corporate Benefactor: Chevrolet | Date: January 21, 2018

Venue: Barrett-Jackson | Scottsdale, Arizona

Charity: Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation

18 - 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia

This Ferrari 458 Italia sold for $950,000 at the 2011 Naples Winter Wine Festival
This Ferrari 458 Italia sold for $950,000 at the 2011 Naples Winter Wine Festival

Price fetched: $950,000

Corporate Benefactor: Ferrari | Date: January 29, 2011

Venue: Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Charity: Naples Children & Education Foundation

17 - 2018 Lamborghini Huracán RWD Coupé

Price fetched: $966,775 (€809,375)

Corporate Benefactor: Lamborghini | Date: May 12, 2018

Venue: RM-Sotheby's | Monaco

Charity: Vatican Charity Fund

13 - GT350R Ford Shelby

When this GT350R Ford Shelby VIN #001 sold at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale Auction in January 2015, it fetched $1,000,000. The new GT350R Ford Shelby featured a flat-plane crankshaft and contained the most powerful, naturally aspirated engine Ford had produced to that time.
When this GT350R Ford Shelby VIN #001 sold at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale Auction in January 2015, it fetched $1,000,000. The new GT350R Ford Shelby featured a flat-plane crankshaft and contained the most powerful, naturally aspirated engine Ford had produced to that time.

Price fetched: $1,000,000

Corporate Benefactor: Ford | Date: January 17, 2015

Venue: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction

Charity: JDRF

VIN 001 of the new GT350R Ford Shelby with flat-plane crankshaft, the most powerful naturally aspirated engine Ford had produced to that time.

13 - 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible

This 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible was the first of the all-new Corvette Stingray convertibles and when it fetched $1,000,000, that translated to another approximate 10-1 ratio from the retail to auction price. The car was sold at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction in 2013 to the benefit of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
This 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible was the first of the all-new Corvette Stingray convertibles and when it fetched $1,000,000, that translated to another approximate 10-1 ratio from the retail to auction price. The car was sold at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction in 2013 to the benefit of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

Price fetched: $1,000,000

Corporate Benefactor: Chevrolet | Date: April 5, 2013

Venue: Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction

Charity: Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

The first of the all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray convertibles and another approximate 10-1 ratio from the retail to auction price.

13 - 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Coupe

This 2015 Corvette Z06 was the first retail production vehicle available of the all-new, next generation Corvette Z06. As many road testers are quick to tell you, you'll need to head towards a million bucks to get equivalent performance to the $100,000 Corvette ... well someone believed them. That someone was Rick Hendrick, NASCAR team owner and Hall of Fame member. Hendrick has purchased three of the cars on this list.
This 2015 Corvette Z06 was the first retail production vehicle available of the all-new, next generation Corvette Z06. As many road testers are quick to tell you, you'll need to head towards a million bucks to get equivalent performance to the $100,000 Corvette ... well someone believed them. That someone was Rick Hendrick, NASCAR team owner and Hall of Fame member. Hendrick has purchased three of the cars on this list.

Price fetched: $1,000,000

Corporate Benefactor: Chevrolet | Date: April 12, 2014

Venue: Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction

Charity: Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

This 2015 Corvette Z06 was the first retail production vehicle available of the all-new, next generation Corvette Z06. As many road testers are quick to tell you, you'll need to head towards a million bucks to get equivalent performance to the $100,000 Corvette ... well someone believed them. That someone was Rick Hendrick, NASCAR team owner and Hall of Fame member. Hendrick has purchased three of the cars on this list.

13 - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 Coupe

The “First Retailable Unit Built” Corvette ZR1 went to auction at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale on Saturday, January 19, 2008, fetching $1 million. Given that a hamburger-with-the-lot ZR1 cost $105,000 when they went on sale, that's another remarkable price multiple approaching x10.
The “First Retailable Unit Built” Corvette ZR1 went to auction at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale on Saturday, January 19, 2008, fetching $1 million. Given that a hamburger-with-the-lot ZR1 cost $105,000 when they went on sale, that's another remarkable price multiple approaching x10.

Price fetched: $1,000,000

Corporate Benefactor: Chevrolet | Date: January 19, 2008

Venue: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2008 Auction

Charity: The United Way

The "First Retailable Unit Built" Corvette ZR1 went to auction at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale on Saturday, January 19, 2008, fetching $1 million. Given that a hamburger-with-the-lot ZR1 cost $105,000 when they went on sale, that's another remarkable price multiple approaching x10.

0 - The Stinger

This Stinger Indy Car bears the signature of every living Indianapolis 500 driver and sold for $1,034,000 at a Mecum Indy 2016 Auction on May 24, 2016. It doesn't quite qualify as a new car, but is a wonderful example of how value can be created for a good cause.
This Stinger Indy Car bears the signature of every living Indianapolis 500 driver and sold for $1,034,000 at a Mecum Indy 2016 Auction on May 24, 2016. It doesn't quite qualify as a new car, but is a wonderful example of how value can be created for a good cause.

Price fetched: $1,034,000

Corporate Benefactor: Window World Cares | Date: May 24, 2016

Venue: Mecum Indy 2016 Auction

Charity: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

While this is more a novelty than a new car, we included it in the list without an official position because it fits the spirit of the endeavor, if not the exact definition. It's a Honda Indy car of recent origin, painted in the colors of the 1911 Marmon Wasp that won the inaugural Indianapolis 500. At last count, the car has been signed by 249 of the 273 living Indianapolis 500 Veterans.

12 - 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe

The first example of the seventh generation Corvette went to the auction block with a following of biblical proportions, driving one of the greatest new-price-to-auction-price ratios we can find. A fully optioned Stingray maxes out at $73,360, and the winning bidder for this 2014 Corvette Stingray VIN #0001 paid $1.1 million - that's a "feel good ratio" of 15-to-one.
The first example of the seventh generation Corvette went to the auction block with a following of biblical proportions, driving one of the greatest new-price-to-auction-price ratios we can find. A fully optioned Stingray maxes out at $73,360, and the winning bidder for this 2014 Corvette Stingray VIN #0001 paid $1.1 million - that's a "feel good ratio" of 15-to-one.

Price fetched: $1,100,000

Corporate Benefactor: Chevrolet | Date: January 19, 2013

Venue: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction

Charity: College for Creative Studies

The first example of the seventh generation Corvette went to the auction block with a following of biblical proportions, driving one of the greatest new-price-to-auction-price ratios we can find. A fully optioned Stingray maxes out at $73,360, and the winning bidder for this 2014 Corvette Stingray VIN #0001 paid $1.1 million – that's a "feel good ratio" of 15-to-one.

11 - 2017 Acura NSX

As part of one of the longest pre-release sagas in automotive history, the first production NSX was auctioned by Barrett-Jackson and sold for $1.2 million, approximately six times the fully optioned price of $207,500. The Acura NSX is also the first American designed and built car on this list.
As part of one of the longest pre-release sagas in automotive history, the first production NSX was auctioned by Barrett-Jackson and sold for $1.2 million, approximately six times the fully optioned price of $207,500. The Acura NSX is also the first American designed and built car on this list.

Price fetched: $1,200,000

Corporate Benefactor: Acura (Honda) | Date: January 29, 2016

Venue: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Sale

Charities: Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation & Camp Southern Ground

Honda took a long time in developing the second version of the NSX. You can read all the ins and outs in our coverage of the NSX world premiere, subsequently released details and even more details, and finally, even more details.

As a quick recap, the NSX features a 573-hp (427 kW) hybrid drive with twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine, three electric motors and a nine-speed transmission. The mid-mounted V6 powers the rear wheels with help from the direct drive rear motor, and the other two electric motors power the front wheels. With this layout, the NSX is able to deliver instantaneous torque during acceleration and better control in the twists.

As part of one of the longest pre-release sagas in automotive history, the first production NSX was auctioned by Barrett-Jackson and sold for $1.2 million, approximately six times the fully optioned price of $207,500. The Acura NSX is also the first American designed and built car on this list.

10 - 2005 Ferrari Enzo

The 400th and final Enzo Ferrari was originally given to His Holiness Pope John Paul II by Ferrari. The Pope asked that it be sold and the proceeds donated to charity, which was done at Sotheby's single-marque Ferrari sale conducted at Maranello, Italy in June, 2005, fetching $1,282,987. The car subsequently became part of the famed Pinnacle Collection which sold at RM-Sotheby's Monterey Sale in August 2015. A decade after it first sold for $1.28 million, the final Enzo fetched $6,050,000.
The 400th and final Enzo Ferrari  was originally given to His Holiness Pope John Paul II by Ferrari. The Pope asked that it be sold and the proceeds donated to charity, which was done at Sotheby's single-marque Ferrari sale conducted at Maranello, Italy in June, 2005, fetching $1,282,987. The car subsequently became part of the famed Pinnacle Collection which sold at RM-Sotheby's Monterey Sale in August 2015. A decade after it first sold for $1.28 million, the final Enzo fetched $6,050,000.

Price fetched: $1,282,987

Corporate Benefactor: Ferrari | Date: June 28, 2005

Venue: Sotheby's Ferrari Maranello Auction

Charity: Caritas

This car was the 400th and final Ferrari Enzo and was originally given to His Holiness Pope John Paul II by Ferrari. The Pope asked that it be sold and the proceeds donated to charity, which was done at Sotheby's single-marque Ferrari sale conducted at Maranello, Italy in June, 2005.

The car subsequently became part of the famed Pinnacle Collection which sold at RM-Sotheby's Monterey Sale in August 2015. A decade after it first sold for $1.28 million, the final Enzo fetched $6,050,000.

9 - 2007 Bentley Continental GTC Convertible

The GTC in the Bentley Continental GTC stands for "Grand Touring Convertible" and in 2007, the Naples Wine Festival auctioned the first GTC available in America ahead of overwhelming demand and a limited build schedule for the $200,000 2+2 convertible. As usual at the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort during the Naples Winter Wine Festival, there was enough interest in being the first on the block with the latest toy to drive bidding to more than six times the normal buy price.
The GTC in the Bentley Continental GTC stands for "Grand Touring Convertible" and in 2007, the Naples Wine Festival auctioned the first GTC available in America ahead of overwhelming demand and a limited build schedule for the $200,000 2+2 convertible. As usual at the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort during the Naples Winter Wine Festival, there was enough interest in being the first on the block with the latest toy to drive bidding to more than six times the normal buy price.

Price fetched: $1,300,000

Corporate Benefactor: Bentley | Date: January 27, 2007

Venue: Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Charity: Naples Children & Education Foundation

The GTC in the Bentley Continental GTC stands for "Grand Touring Convertible" and in 2007, the Naples Wine Festival auctioned the first GTC available in America ahead of overwhelming demand and a limited build schedule for the $200,000 2+2 convertible. As usual at the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort during the Naples Winter Wine Festival, there was enough interest in being the first on the block with the latest toy to drive bidding to more than six times the normal buy price.

8 - 2018 Chevrolet Corvette Carbon 65 Edition

Price fetched: $1,400,000

Corporate Benefactor: Chevrolet | Date: January 21, 2018

Venue: Barrett-Jackson | Scottsdale, Arizona

Charity: George W. Bush Presidential Center's Military Service Initiative

7 - 2017 Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet

One of the 99 Maybach G650 Landaulets was retained by Mercedes-Benz, and auctioned during the Zoute Grand Prix in Knokke, Belgium on the weekend of the October 6, 2017. The automotive heritage event is one of the stars of the global classic car calendar, and includes a Bonhams auction of elite automobiles. Mercedes-Benz donated the only unspoken-for Maybach G650 Landaulet to one of its pet charities, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and it fetched €1,200,000 ($1,407,875).
One of the 99 Maybach G650 Landaulets was retained by Mercedes-Benz, and  auctioned during the Zoute Grand Prix in Knokke, Belgium on the weekend of the October 6, 2017. The automotive heritage event is one of the stars of the global classic car calendar, and includes a Bonhams auction of elite automobiles. Mercedes-Benz donated the only unspoken-for Maybach G650 Landaulet to one of its pet charities, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and it fetched  €1,200,000 ($1,407,875).

Price fetched: $1,407,875 (€1,200,000)

Corporate Benefactor: Mercedes-Benz | Date: October 6, 2017

Venue: Bonhams Zoute Sale, Belgium

Charity: Laureus Sport For Good Foundation

The limited-edition Maybach G650 Landaulet inspired our own Scott Collie to pen an article entitled Off-road absurdity, thy name is Maybach G650 Landaulet. The luxury mastodon is a car of preposterous specification, with a 630 hp AMG V12 biturbo engine, a curb weight of 7,300 pounds, a length of more than five meters, a height of two meters, half a meter of ground clearance, and four wheels sharing responsibility for distributing 1,000 Nm of torque.

Despite a price of €630,000, it sold out inside a week, with one held back by Mercedes-Benz, and auctioned by Bonhams during the Zoute Grand Prix in Knokke, Belgium to the benefit of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. More detail.

6 - 2012 Ferrari 599X

The earthquakes in Emilia-Romagna (Italy) on May 20 and 29, 2012, struck at the heart of Ferrari which is based in the community. It didn't take long for the Ferrari Tifosi to mobilize and demonstrate their extraordinary generosity. The on-line auction at www.ferrari.com closed on June 20, having raised over €1.8 million.
The earthquakes in Emilia-Romagna (Italy) on May 20 and 29, 2012, struck at the heart of Ferrari which is based in the community. It didn't take long for the Ferrari Tifosi to mobilize and demonstrate their extraordinary generosity. The on-line auction at www.ferrari.com closed on June 20, having raised over €1.8 million.

Price fetched: $1,778,561 (€1,400,000)

Corporate Benefactor: Ferrari | Date: June 20, 2012

Venue: Online auction administered from Maranello, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Charity: Ferrari for Emilia (benefitting earthquake victims in central Italy)

The earthquakes in Emilia-Romagna (Italy) on May 20 and 29, 2012, struck at the heart of Ferrari which is based in the community. It didn't take long for the Ferrari Tifosi to mobilize and demonstrate their extraordinary generosity. The online auction at www.ferrari.com closed on June 20, having raised over €1.8 million.

The 720 hp 599XX which was the central component of the auction, was at the time the fastest production-derived sportscar in the world, having lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in 6 minutes and 58.16 seconds.

The 599XX sold into America for over €1.4 million, being sold with a commemorative plaque signed by Chairman Luca di Montezemolo and the two Scuderia drivers of the day, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. It was delivered to its owner by Alonso and Massa at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in September, 2012.

5 - 2007 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé

The price achieved by this car nearly 11 years ago by a six-year-old charity is quite astonishing. At the time, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé was selling for $407,000, so the price of $2 million was not just the highest price ever paid for a new car at the time, but five times the price of any other Phantom Drophead Coupé.
The price achieved by this car nearly 11 years ago by a six-year-old charity is quite astonishing. At the time, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé was selling for $407,000, so the price of $2 million was not just the highest price ever paid for a new car at the time, but five times the price of any other Phantom Drophead Coupé.

Price fetched: $2,000,000

Corporate Benefactor: Rolls-Royce | Date: January 27, 2007

Venue: Naples Winter Wine Festival, Florida

Charity: Naples Children & Education Foundation

The price achieved by this car nearly 11 years ago by a six-year-old charity is quite astonishing. At the time, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé was selling for $407,000, so the price of $2 million was not just the highest price ever paid for a new car at the time, but five times the price of any other Phantom Drophead Coupé.

The reason for the premium pricing was that Rolls-Royce had launched the new Phantom Drophead Coupé at the Detroit Motor Show just a few weeks prior to the auction, and the winning bidder was to leapfrog the extensive waiting list to get the first car available in the United States. To at least one person, that was worth paying five times the price.

The Phantom Drophead Coupé was based on the 2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom and has styling heavily derived from the 100EX, a concept car unveiled to celebrate the company's centennial in 2004.

4 - 2017 Ford GT

In January 2015, we reported on the sale of the Ron Pratte Collection for $40.4 million. Ron Pratte is still involved in the automotive trade though, and has donated a 2017 Ford GT to be sold for charity at Barrett-Jackson's 2018 Scottsdale auction on January 21, 2018. All proceeds will go to the Evernham Family-Racing for a Reason Foundation to the benefit of the Autism Society of North Carolina's Ignite Program
In January 2015, we reported on the sale of the Ron Pratte Collection for $40.4 million. Ron Pratte is still involved in the automotive trade though, and has donated a 2017 Ford GT to be sold for charity at Barrett-Jackson's 2018 Scottsdale auction on January 21, 2018. All proceeds will go to the Evernham Family-Racing for a Reason Foundation to the benefit of the Autism Society of North Carolina's Ignite Program

Price fetched: $2,500,000

Corporate Benefactor: XXXX | Date: January 21, 2018

Venue: Barrett-Jackson | Scottsdale, Arizona

Charity: Evernham Family-Racing for a Reason Foundation to the benefit of the Autism Society of North Carolina's Ignite Program

In January 2015, we reported on the sale of the Ron Pratte Collection for $40.4 million. Ron Pratte is still involved in the automotive trade though, and has donated a 2017 Ford GT to be sold for charity at Barrett-Jackson's 2018 Scottsdale auction. Bravo Ron!

3 - 2018 McLaren Senna

Three Sennas: Viviane, Bruno Senna and the new McLaren Senna. Viviane is the sister of Ayrton and the mother of racing driver and McLaren ambassador, Bruno Senna. The new McLaren Senna raised £2 million for underprivileged children and youngsters in Brazil via the Ayrton Senna Institute.
Three Sennas: Viviane, Bruno Senna and the new McLaren Senna. Viviane is the sister of Ayrton and the mother of racing driver and McLaren ambassador, Bruno Senna. The new McLaren Senna raised £2 million for underprivileged children and youngsters in Brazil via the Ayrton Senna Institute.

Price fetched: $2,685,460 (£2,000,000)

Corporate Benefactor: McLaren | Date: December 13, 2017

Venue: Private function for McLaren enthusiasts, London, UK

Charity: Ayrton Senna Institute

Unveiled on December 10, the one-of-500 McLaren Senna runs a 789 bhp (589 kW) 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 driving the rear wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The raw figures do not tell the whole story though because McLaren's ambition for the Senna is that it will set a new benchmark for racetrack prowess, becoming the best road-legal track car available.

Given the prowess of previous McLaren road cars (the F1 road car swept Le Mans), it wasn't surprising that a platoon of McLaren enthusiasts should bid the only available car to nearly three times its recommended retail price.

2 - 2017 Ferrari LaFerrari

When this one-of-210 LaFerrari Aperta went to auction at RM Sotheby's Leggenda E Passione sale on Saturday September 9, 2017, a one-of-500 LaFerrari already held the record for a new car at auction and a 21st century car at auction. Predictably, both records fell as the open top (Aperta) fetched €8,300,000 (US$9,989,582) which was donated to the Save the Children Fund.
When this one-of-210 LaFerrari Aperta went to auction at RM Sotheby's Leggenda E Passione sale on Saturday September 9, 2017, a one-of-500 LaFerrari already held the record for  a new car at auction and a 21st century car at auction. Predictably, both records fell as the open top (Aperta) fetched €8,300,000 (US$9,989,582) which was donated to the Save the Children Fund.

Price fetched: $7,000,000

Corporate Benefactor: Ferrari | Date: December 3, 2016

Venue: RM-Sotheby's auction, Daytona, Florida, United States

Charity: National Italian American Foundation Relief Fund

Ferrari originally capped the limited edition run of the 949-hp hybrid LaFerrari hypercar at 499 units, but subsequent to the devastating earthquakes in Italy in 2016, Ferrari Chairman and CEO, Sergio Marchionne, announced that an additional one-of-a-kind coupe would be made and auctioned to help rebuilding efforts. It was the first time a new car has ever been in the top 100 most valuable cars sold at auction. With the sale of its sister Aperta car, there are now two new cars in the top 100 most valuable cars of all-time.

1 - 2017 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta

The record price for a new car at auction and the record price for a 21st century car at auction both fell at RM Sotheby's Leggenda E Passione sale on September 9, 2017, when a new 2017 LaFerrari Aperta fetched €8,300,000 (US$9,989,582). The yet-to-be-built auction car was the 210th and only unsold LaFerrari Aperta and went well past its estimate of €3,000,000 to €4,000,000 (US$3.3 to $4.4 million) to capture the record previously held by a hardtop one-of-500 LaFerrari at US$7 million.
The record price for a new car at auction and the record price for a 21st century car at auction both fell at RM Sotheby's Leggenda E Passione sale on September 9, 2017, when a new 2017 LaFerrari Aperta fetched €8,300,000 (US$9,989,582). The yet-to-be-built auction car was the 210th and only unsold LaFerrari Aperta and went well past its estimate of €3,000,000 to €4,000,000 (US$3.3 to $4.4 million) to capture the record previously held by a hardtop one-of-500 LaFerrari at US$7 million.

Price fetched: $9,989,582 (€8,300,000)

Corporate Benefactor: Ferrari | Date: September 9, 2017

Venue: RM-Sotheby's Leggenda E Passione sale, Maranello, Italy

Charity: Save the Children Fund

When this one-of-210 LaFerrari Aperta went to auction at RM Sotheby's Leggenda E Passione sale on Saturday September 9, 2017, a one-of-500 LaFerrari already held the record for a new car at auction and a 21st century car at auction. Predictably, both records fell as the open top (Aperta) fetched €8,300,000 (US$9,989,582) which was donated to the Save the Children Fund.

The all-time record for a car sold for charity

It's unlikely that the record price for a car sold for charity and the record price for a new car will ever be held by the same car. The record is currently held by a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 S NART Spider which sold for $27,700,000 at RM-Sotheby's Monterey auction in August, 2013. The car was donated to charity by the family of Eddie Smith, a close friend of the original North American Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti. When Luigi talked Enzo Ferrari into building some high performance 275 GTB/4 spiders, Eddie bought one of the 10 NART (North American Racing Team) Spiders that were built and the car remained in the family until this sale.
It's unlikely that the record price for a car sold for charity and the record price for a new car will ever be held by the same car. The record is currently held by a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 S NART Spider which sold for $27,700,000 at RM-Sotheby's Monterey auction in August, 2013. The car was donated to charity by the family of Eddie Smith, a close friend of the original North American Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti. When Luigi talked Enzo Ferrari into building some high performance 275 GTB/4 spiders, Eddie bought one of the 10 NART (North American Racing Team) Spiders that were built and the car remained in the family until this sale.

It's unlikely that the record price for a car sold for charity and the record price for a new car will ever be held by the same car. The reason is this 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 S NART Spider which sold for $27,700,000 at RM-Sotheby's Monterey auction in August, 2013.

The car was donated to charity by the family of Eddie Smith, a close friend of the original North American Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti. When Chinetti talked Enzo Ferrari into building some high performance 275 GTB/4 Spiders, Smith bought one of the 10 NART (North American Racing Team) Spiders and the car remained in the family until this sale.

Top motorcycle - 2013 Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide

This 2013 Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide became the most expensive motorcycle ever sold new at auction when it fetched $330,938 (€241,500) at Bonhams Grand Palais Sale on February 6, 2014. The remarkable price fetched by this motorcycle represents the highest retail-to-auction-price-ratio of any vehicle on this list, selling at roughly 25 times its showroom value thanks to its Holy alliance. The sale put the Harley inside the top 25 most valuable motorcycles ever sold.
This 2013 Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide became the most expensive motorcycle ever sold new at auction when it fetched $330,938 (€241,500) at Bonhams Grand Palais Sale on February 6, 2014. The remarkable price fetched by this motorcycle represents the highest retail-to-auction-price-ratio of any vehicle on this list, selling at roughly 25 times its showroom value thanks to its Holy alliance. The sale put the Harley inside the top 25 most valuable motorcycles ever sold.

Price fetched: $330,938 (€241,500)

Corporate Benefactor: Pope Francis / Harley-Davidson | Date: February 6, 2014

Venue: Bonhams Grand Palais Sale, Paris, 2014

Charity: Caritas Roma – specifically, the funds will be donated to Caritas' Don Luigi di Liegro hostel and soup kitchen at Rome's Termini railway station

The remarkable price fetched by this motorcycle has the highest retail-to-auction-price-ratio of any vehicle on this list, selling at roughly 25 times its showroom value thanks to its Holy alliance. The sale put the Harley inside the top 25 most valuable motorcycles ever sold.

Second motorcycle - Jack Daniel's Indian Chief

The Indian Motorcycle Company was founded in 1901 and it was a natural marketing match for it to join forces with Jack Daniel's Distillery to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Jack Daniel's in 2016. The partnership of the iconic brands created a Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Chief Vintage liquor and 150 limited edition motorcycles officially titled as Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Springfield motorcycles. Each bike came with its own authentic Jack Daniel's barrel top, custom inscribed with the owner's name, bike model, bike number, and the VIN. The 2016 #001 Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Chief Vintage fetched $150,000, with all proceeds going to Operation Ride Home.
The Indian Motorcycle Company was founded in 1901 and it was a natural marketing match for it to join forces with Jack Daniel's Distillery to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Jack Daniel's in 2016. The partnership of the iconic brands created a Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Chief Vintage liquor and 150 limited edition motorcycles officially titled as Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Springfield motorcycles. Each bike came with its own authentic Jack Daniel's barrel top, custom inscribed with the owner's name, bike model, bike number, and the VIN. The 2016 #001 Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Chief Vintage fetched $150,000, with all proceeds going to Operation Ride Home.

Price fetched: $150,000

Corporate Benefactor: Indian Motorcycle Company | Date: October 15, 2016

Venue: Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction

Charity: Operation Ride Home

The Indian Motorcycle Company was founded in 1901 and it was a natural marketing match for it to join forces with Jack Daniel's Distillery to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Jack Daniel's in 2016. The partnership of the iconic brands created a Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Chief Vintage liquor and 150 limited edition motorcycles. Each bike came with its own authentic Jack Daniel's barrel top, custom inscribed with the owner's name, bike model, bike number, and the VIN. The 2016 #001 Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Chief Vintage fetched $150,000, with all proceeds going to Operation Ride Home.

In doing the research for this article, we found an even more remarkable aspect to the marketing association between the two iconic brands. During 2012 and early 2013, an initiative by the two-time Grammy Award winning and multi-platinum Zac Brown Band, Indian motorcycles and Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whisky saw two Indian motorcycles heavily customized and then promoted on the band's tour and at the Sturgis Rally. Those bikes each sold for $100,000 at a Barrett-Jackson auction (bike 1 and bike 2) and those bikes are third and fourth on the all-time charity motorcycle auction listing.

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Mike Hanlon
Mike Hanlon
As a photojournalist, Mike’s work has been published in a dozen languages across 20+ countries. He has edited or managed over 75 different print publications, each with a different target audience: sports, automotive, advertising, marketing, design, ad infinitum. Mike has been working in the internet for more than 25 years and was the veteran of five internet start-ups before founding New Atlas in 2002.

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