This 412P, known by its chassis number of 0854, is one of just two such cars built for favoured racing customers. The lucky recipient of this car was the UK’s Ferrari importer, Colonel Ronnie Hoare, who had it painted in its red and blue livery and entered it in a number of significant races with drivers such as Richard Attwood, Lucien Bianchi and Piers Courage.
The car was then sold to noted Ferrari racer David Piper at the end of 1968, who competed in it all around the world.
After such a rigorous racing career, 0854 passed down through a number of wealthy collectors, and it eventually underwent a painstaking nine-year restoration. Perhaps best of all, though, is this V12-powered vintage racer is fully road-legal – if the owner is brave enough.
9. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196
Auction house: Bonhams
Location: Goodwood
Year: 2013
Sold for: $29,600,000
This Mercedes-Benz W196 Grand Prix car was driven by five-time Formula One world champion Juan Manuel Fangio, a provenance which helped it to a £19.6 million ($29.6 million) sale price at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2013.
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Bidders were pulled in by this being the only Mercedes of its type outside of the manufacturer’s own collection or a museum at the time of the sale. It also boasts the most success in racing of any W196. That sort of history doesn’t come cheap, which was proven by its sensational price when it went under the hammer.
10. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM
Auction house: RM Sotheby’s
Location: New York
Year: 2015
Sold for: $28,050,000