As a car collector, what’s your grail car? While some collectors scour car lots and pawn shops in search of a hidden gem, others seek out priceless cars at auction. Here are the 10 most expensive cars of all time that were sold at auction:

1. 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

This car was auctioned for $16,390,000 in August 2011 in Monterey, California. Collectors refer to this car as the 666 Testa Rossa due to its serial number from the factory being 0666TR. This was the prototype for the subsequent Testa Rossas. It lead to the pontoon bodywork and a 3.0-liter V12 engine.

2. 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

This car was auctioned for $12,402,500 in May 2009 in Maranello, Italy. Hill and Gendebien won LeMans in this car. There were only 19 total 250 Testa Rossas ever built, making it highly sought after by collectors.

3. 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder

This car was auctioned for $10,894,900 in May 2008 in Maranello, Italy. It features a 3.0-liter V12 engine. The 250 represents the displacement of each cylinder. This car was owned by Oscar-winning actor James Coburn until 1988. In 2008, English radio personality Chris Evans won it at auction.

4. 1931 Duesenberg Model J Murphy-Bodied Coupe

This car was auctioned for $10,340,000 in August 2011 in Monterey, California. The Model J was commissioned by George Whittell Jr. and a variant was introduced in 1928. It featured a Frank Hershey design and a Murphey of Pasadena constructed body. Less than 500 were built by 1937, when the company closed.

5. 1931 Bugatti Royale Type 41 Kellner Coupe

This car was auctioned for $9,800,000 in November 1987 in London, England. It was powered by a 12.7-liter aircraft and train engine and bodied by Kellner, a paris coach builder. During the Nazi occupation of France, it was bricked into Bugatti’s garage to keep it hidden from the Nazis.

6. 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster

This car was auctioned for $9,680,000 in August 2011 in Monterey, California. There were only around 400 of these supercharged 540K luxury roadsters manufactured. Collectors believe that only three examples of this design have survived.

7. 1962 Ferrari 330 TRI/LM Testa Rossa

This car was auctioned for $9,281,250 in Maranello, Italy in May 2007. It features an all-independent suspension system, beefed-up components and a unique chassis.

8. 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster

This car was auctioned for $8,252,000 in London, England in October 2007. It won an award from the Automobile Club of America in 1987 after a meticulous restoration. In 1988 it won an award at Pebble Beach. Bernie Ecclestone bought it in 1995 and put it up for auction in 2007.

9. 1937 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Coupe

This car was auctioned for $7,920,000 in August 2008 in Monterey, California. At one time, it was owned by a count in Paris. It is well-preserved example of the Atlante, which was designed by Jean Bugatti.

10. 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe

This car was auctioned for $7,685,000 in August 2009 in Monterey, California. Only six of these cars were ever built. This car won the 24 Hours of Daytona Race in 1965 and went on to win additional races, including the Maker’s Championship at the Reims Circuit in France.

You might not have a Bugatti hidden away in a shed behind your home, but the chances are that if you want to free up some cash, you have items of value that you could use as collateral for a pawn Loan from Hat City Pawn.  Call us today to arrange an appointment, or visit our pawn shops in Danbury and Norwalk and get a fair price for your collectibles or unwanted goods.