Since I haven’t covered automotive auctions in a while, now seems like the perfect time. The first quarter of this year has seen a few exceptional ‘Hot Wheels’ hit the market and command staggering prices. Enthusiasts and investors have competed for some of the most exclusive and historically significant vehicles ever offered.
Leading the sales was the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Streamliner, which changed hands for $53.9 million at RM Sotheby’s in Stuttgart. Offered from the collection of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, it was once driven by racing legends Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss. Its legacy and rarity solidified it as the priciest Formula 1 car ever auctioned.
Ferrari continued to dominate the collector’s market, with a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM
achieving the second-highest figure of the year thus far, at $36.3 million. As the last Ferrari to win outright at Le Mans, its appeal was undeniable. American Engineering made its mark with a 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II, setting a new benchmark for the marque by fetching $13.2 million. Although its Le Mans run ended prematurely, the vehicle remains a testament to Ford’s motorsport achievements. (Also from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum collection)
Other notable sales included a 1908 Mercedes-Benz Brooklands racer ($8.2M) 
and a 1957 Chevrolet Corvette SS Project XP-64 ($7.7M), both setting new milestones in their respective categories. (The Corvette was from the Collection of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.) Meanwhile, a 1989 RUF CTR “Yellowbird” shattered expectations, selling for $6.05 million—nearly tripling its previous record. Completing the lineup, a 1996 Ferrari F50 commanded $5.5 million, further underscoring the brand’s enduring prestige. As the year progresses, it will be interesting to see whether the demand for rare automobiles remains strong or if interest and prices begin to slow.