The automobile and motion picture industries The automobile industry and the film industry have grown and evolved together, coming to rely on one another, as nobody can imagine an action film without a thrilling car chase on the highway. In fact, many of the vehicles that appear on the silver screen have become as popular as or more so than some renowned actors, such as the iconic DeLorean from Back to the Future or the Batmobile.
If you are passionate about both cars and movies, you have undoubtedly fantasized about driving one of the most recognizable vehicles from film. But do you know which historical item is the most expensive? A study by Carwow Spain identifies the ten most expensive film icons ever sold at auction. So, you must know which cars are the most expensive cars in movie history.
10. Ford Mustang (1967)
The legendary Eleanor Mustang, a Ford Mustang featured in the 2000 film 60 seconds starring Nicolas Cage, was sold at auction for $1 million. This automobile is so valuable because it was the only model in use during the film’s production.
9. Duesenberg Model J Murphy SWB Convertible Coupe (1929)
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers starred in the 1934 Oscar-winning film The Merry Divorcee, which featured the Duesenberg Model J Murphy SWB Convertible Coupé, which sold in 2013 for $2.37 million. Rogers owned this automobile in real life, which is an intriguing fact about it.
8. Ferrari 750 Monza Spider (1955)
Classic is the Ferrari 750 Monza Spider. This handsome automobile was driven by Fred Astaire in the Oscar-winning film The Final Hour (1959). In addition, it is one of the few vehicles to have survived the filming of the Grand Prix scenes (1966). In 2011, the Ferrari 750 Monza Spider was auctioned off for $2.5 million.
7. Mercedes-Benz S 26/180 Boattail Speedster (1928)
This Mercedes-Benz was featured in Katharine Hepburn’s film Silvia’s Big Adventure. This automobile once belonged to the Marx Brothers, but in 2010 it was sold at auction for $3.7 million.
6. Ford Mustang GT390 (1968)
The legendary Ford Mustang GT390 from the 1968 film Bullitt, starring Steve McQueen, was auctioned off in 2020 for $3,711,000.
5. Ferrari 375MM Berlinetta (1954)
The Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta from the 1956 Italian film The Luck of Being a Woman, starring Sophia Loren, was auctioned off in California in 2010 for $4.62 million.
4. Batmobile (1966)
In 2013, $4.62 million was paid for the legendary Batmobile, the car of the superhero Batman and likely one of the most popular vehicles in film history.
3. Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta (1956)
This classic automobile appeared in the 1968 Disney film There goes that racing car alongside the legendary Volkswagen Beetle Herbie. This particular model was one of only nine produced by Ferrari, and it was sold at auction in 2012 for $6.71 million.
2. Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe (1965)
The Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupé featured in Howard Hawks’ 1965 film Danger… 7000 Line was originally one of six models constructed for the FIA World Manufacturers’ Championship, before it was leased by production and distributor Paramount Pictures. This iconic automobile was sold at auction in 2009 for $7.25 million.
1. Ferrari 250 GT California Spider (1961)
The top spot in this ranking is held by the Ferrari 250 GT California Spider, which appeared in the 1963 Academy Award-winning film Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow starring Sophia Loren. This model was only produced in 37 units by Ferrari, and the one used in the film sold for a staggering $17.1 million in 2016, making it the most expensive movie car ever sold at auction.