Aston Martin is one of the most iconic and prestigious car brands in the world. Known for their sleek design, powerful performance, and association with James Bond, Aston Martin cars are the epitome of luxury and elegance. But how much do these cars cost? And which ones are the most expensive ones ever sold?
In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 most expensive Aston Martin cars that have been sold at auctions. These cars are not only rare and beautiful but also have a rich history and heritage behind them. From classic models to modern masterpieces, these are the Aston Martin cars that have fetched the highest prices in the market.
1934 Aston Martin Ulster Two-Seater – $1.57 Million
The Ulster was a sports car that Aston Martin built in the 1930s. It was named after the Ulster Tourist Trophy, a race that Aston Martin won in 1934. The Ulster was based on the Le Mans model but had a lighter and more aerodynamic body. It also had a 1.5-liter inline-four engine that produced 85 horsepower. The Ulster was capable of reaching 100 mph, which was very impressive for its time.
Only 31 Ulsters were made, and each one had a unique registration number. The car was sold by Bonhams in 2013 for $1.57 million, making it the 10th most expensive Aston Martin car ever sold. The car was in superb condition, with its original engine, gearbox, and bodywork. It also had a remarkable history, having participated in several races and rallies in the 1930s and 1940s.
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Vantage Convertible – $1.82 Million
The DB4 was a grand tourer that Aston Martin launched in 1958. It was the first car to feature the iconic “Superleggera” bodywork, which was designed by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. The DB4 had a 3.7-liter inline-six engine that produced 240 horsepower. It was also the basis for the famous DB5, which became James Bond’s car in the 1960s.
The Series IV Vantage was a special edition of the DB4 that had some upgrades and improvements. Only nine convertible versions were made, making them extremely rare and desirable. One of these cars was owned by Sir Peter Ustinov, a renowned actor and writer. He bought the car in 1962 and drove it around Europe and Africa. He also customized the car with a special electric radiator fan, a Motorola radio, and a power antenna.
The car was sold by Bonhams in 2015 for $1.82 million, making it the 9th most expensive Aston Martin car ever sold. The car was in immaculate condition, with its original color, interior, and accessories. It also had a comprehensive history file, with documents, photos, and letters from Ustinov himself.
1955 Aston Martin DB3S (#52) – $3.68 Million
The DB3S was a racing car that Aston Martin produced in the 1950s. It competed in prestigious events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Mille Miglia, and the Tourist Trophy. Only 31 units were made, and each one had a unique chassis number. The #52 car was one of the most successful ones, winning several races and setting records. It was also driven by famous drivers like Roy Salvadori, Peter Collins, and Tony Brooks.
The #52 car was sold by Bonhams in 2014 for $3.68 million, making it the 8th most expensive Aston Martin car ever sold. The car was in excellent condition, with its original engine, gearbox, and bodywork. It also had a fascinating provenance, having been owned by several collectors and enthusiasts over the years.
1955 Aston Martin DB3S (#6) – $5.5 Million
The #6 car was another DB3S that made it to the top 10 list. This car was one of the works cars that Aston Martin used for racing in the 1950s. It was driven by legendary drivers like Stirling Moss, Carroll Shelby, and Jim Clark. It also competed in famous races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 12 Hours of Sebring, and the Nürburgring 1000 km.
The #6 car was sold by RM Sotheby’s in 2017 for $5.5 million, making it the 7th most expensive Aston Martin car ever sold. The car was in pristine condition, with its original engine, gearbox, and bodywork. It also had a documented history, with records, photos, and certificates from Aston Martin.
1965 Aston Martin DB5 “Bond Car” – $6.38 Million
The DB5 is arguably the most famous and iconic Aston Martin car ever made. It was the car that James Bond drove in several movies, starting with Goldfinger in 1964. The DB5 had a 4.0-liter inline-six engine that produced 282 horsepower. It also had a stunning design, with a sleek and elegant silhouette.
The “Bond Car” was one of the four DB5s that were used for filming the Bond movies. It was equipped with various gadgets and features, such as machine guns, bulletproof shields, ejector seats, revolving license plates, and more. It was also the car that Sean Connery, the original Bond actor, drove in the movies.
The car was sold by RM Sotheby’s in 2019 for $6.38 million, making it the 6th most expensive Aston Martin car ever sold. The car was in mint condition, with its original color, interior, and gadgets. It also had a provenance that was unmatched by any other car, having been featured in several movies, magazines, and exhibitions.
1959 Aston Martin DB4GT Prototype – $6.76 Million
The DB4GT was a high-performance version of the DB4 that Aston Martin introduced in 1959. It had a shorter and lighter chassis, a more powerful engine, and a twin-plug ignition system. It also had a distinctive design, with a fastback roofline and a large rear window. The DB4GT was one of the fastest and most agile cars of its era, reaching 152 mph and accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds.
The Prototype was the first DB4GT ever made, and it served as a test and development car for Aston Martin. It was also used for racing, and it won its debut race at Silverstone in 1959. It was driven by famous drivers like Stirling Moss, Roy Salvadori, and Jim Clark. It also appeared in several magazines and shows, such as The Motor and The Car Show.
The car was sold by RM Sotheby’s in 2016 for $6.76 million, making it the 5th most expensive Aston Martin car ever sold. The car was in outstanding condition, with its original engine, gearbox, and bodywork. It also had a documented history, with records, photos, and trophies from Aston Martin.
Left-Hand-Drive 1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato – $9.52 Million
The Zagato was a special edition of the DB4GT that was designed by the Italian coachbuilder Zagato. It had a more aerodynamic and lightweight body, with a distinctive grille, round headlights, and a double-bubble roof. It also had a more powerful engine, with a higher compression ratio and larger valves. Only 19 Zagatos were made, and they are considered to be some of the most beautiful and rare cars in the world.
The Left-Hand-Drive car was one of the two Zagatos that were made for the American market. It was originally ordered by a wealthy businessman from New York, who wanted a car that could compete with the Ferrari 250 GTO. He also specified some custom features, such as a chrome bumper, a luggage rack, and a Nardi steering wheel.
The car was sold by RM Sotheby’s in 2015 for $9.52 million, making it the 4th most expensive Aston Martin car ever sold. The car was in immaculate condition, with its original color, interior, and accessories. It also had a provenance that was second to none, having been owned by some of the most prominent collectors and celebrities in the world, such as Paul McCartney, Twiggy, and Peter Sellers.
The 14th 1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato – $14.3 Million
The 14th car was another Zagato that made it to the top 10 list. This car was one of the most successful and famous Zagatos ever made, having won several races and championships in the 1960s. It was driven by legendary drivers like Jim Clark, Innes Ireland, and Bruce McLaren. It also competed in prestigious events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Tourist Trophy, and the RAC Tourist Trophy.
The car was sold by RM Sotheby’s in 2018 for $14.3 million, making it the 3rd most expensive Aston Martin car ever sold. The car was in superb condition, with its original engine, gearbox, and bodywork. It also had a documented history, with records, photos, and trophies from Aston Martin and the FIA.
1963 Aston Martin DP215 – $21.45 Million
The DP215 was the last and most advanced racing car that Aston Martin built in the David Brown era. It was a prototype that was designed specifically for the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it set a new speed record of 198.6 mph on the Mulsanne Straight. It was also the first car to officially break the 300 kph barrier at Le Mans. The DP215 had a 4.0-liter inline-six engine that produced 323 horsepower, and a lightweight and aerodynamic body that was styled by Ted Cutting.
The DP215 was driven by Phil Hill, the first American Formula 1 World Champion, and Lucien Bianchi, a Belgian Grand Prix and endurance-racing veteran. Unfortunately, the car suffered from gearbox problems and had to retire after two hours of racing. The DP215 was later sold to various collectors and enthusiasts, who restored and maintained it over the years. It was also reunited with its original engine, which was separated from the chassis very early in its history.
The car was sold by RM Sotheby’s in 2018 for $21.45 million, making it the 2nd most expensive Aston Martin car ever sold. The car was in outstanding condition, with its original color, interior, and accessories. It also had a documented history, with records, photos, and certificates from Aston Martin and the FIA.
1956 Aston Martin DBR1 – $22.55 Million
The 1956 Aston Martin DBR1 is the most expensive Aston Martin car in the world. The DBR1 is the most legendary and valuable Aston Martin car ever made. It was the ultimate expression of Aston Martin’s racing ambition and the culmination of their efforts to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The DBR1 was a purpose-built racing car that had a 3.0-litre inline-six engine that produced 255 horsepower, and a beautiful and elegant body that was designed by Frank Feeley.
The DBR1 was driven by some of the greatest drivers of all time, such as Stirling Moss, Carroll Shelby, Jack Brabham, and Roy Salvadori. It won numerous races and championships, including the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 1959 World Sportscar Championship, and the 1958 and 1959 Nürburgring 1000 km. The DBR1 also set several speed and lap records and became a symbol of British racing excellence.
Only five DBR1s were made, and each one had a unique chassis number. The car that was sold by RM Sotheby’s in 2017 for $22.55 million was the DBR1/1, the first and most famous of the five. It was the car that won the 1959 Nürburgring 1000 km and also participated in three editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was also the car that was driven by Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori to clinch the 1959 World Sportscar Championship, the only time that Aston Martin has ever won the title.
The car was in immaculate condition, with its original engine, gearbox, and bodywork. It also had a provenance that was unmatched by any other car, having been featured in several books, magazines, and exhibitions. It was also the car that Sir Stirling Moss called “the most important Aston Martin ever produced”.
