Vintage Bugatti supercar sold for record-breaking $30m

Vintage Bugatti supercar sold for record-breaking $30m

One of the most beautiful cars ever built (in my humble opinion - and you are all welcome to suggest others that could be considered for that title), this Bugatti has just smashed the record for the most expensive car ever sold at auction, previously held by a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa which went for $12.2m last year. It is generally agreed that only one other vehicle could possibly command a higher premium and that is the Mercedes-Benz 300SLR '722', as driven by Sir Stirling Moss in the 1955 Mille Miglia. That car is owned by Mercedes-Benz, however, so is unlikely to come up for auction any time soon, if ever.

Only two of these gorgeous Bugattis remain, the other being the one in the picture which is owned by Ralph Lauren, and this rarity no doubt has had a major influence on the price that was paid. Even so, such a delightful design could almost be said to be worth the money - if $80m can be paid for a Van Gogh painting, why not $30m for a Bugatti "canvas" that some might argue is just as exquisite in its own way? Either way, it is nice to see such a fine motor car bought by the Mullin Automotive Museum, so that it may be displayed and enjoyed by all and sundry instead of being hidden away in a private collection.