The most expensive Porsche ever sold is the iconic 1979 Porsche 935 race car sold for an astounding $4,840,000. The car has a powerful 3.2-liter flat 6-cylinder engine that allows it to reach a top speed of 186 mph. This legendary vehicle is owned by Hollywood star Paul Newman.
Curious about what are the most expensive Porsche Porsche cars? Here we have a complete list of the most expensive Porsche models ever made and sold at auction.
Porsche has a decades-long tradition of providing performance, quality, and precision that is unparalleled in the world of automobiles.
Beginning with their first model, the 356, released in the 1940s, Porsches have been utilizing the lessons learned from their success on the racetrack to constantly improve each new model.
This knowledge translated into cars that are not only high-performance machines but also works of art – easily recognizable classics that have become highly sought by collectors.
Thus, when looking for valuable cars today it isn’t necessarily something brand new or out-of-this-world exotic one should be searching for; limited production Porsches with rich histories often bring a higher value than current models.
Most Expensive Porsches in The World
1. 1970 Porsche 917K
The Porsche 917K is an icon of motorsport history and a collector’s dream. This racecar, distinguished by its signature “K” in the name which stands for Kurzheck or “short tail”, dominated the Le Man’s 24-hour race from 1970 to 1971 due to its remarkable performance capabilities.
Powering it was a 5.0-liter flat-twelve engine, crafted out of two 3.0-liter flat-six engines, that produced 630 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque – enough thrust to propel it from 0-62 mph in an impressive 2.7 seconds!
The 917K also boasted immense stability at high speeds thanks to its shorter tail design that featured vertical stabilizing fins as well as its lightweight aluminum spaceframe chassis weighing just 93 pounds, bringing the total weight of the vehicle down to a mere 1,763 pounds.
It is no wonder then why this rare Porsche model sold for such an expensive price at Pebble Beach Auctions in 2017 – only 12 models of this iconic racecar were ever built!
It was sold at $14,080,000
2. 1982 Porsche 956
This is an incredible specimen with an impressive pedigree, having crossed the finish line at Le Mans in 1983. Miraculously, this car wasn’t lost to history after the end of Group C and instead was sold off to a private collector.
Rather than undergo a full restoration, the new owner opted to keep it in race-capable condition and this decision has paid off; due to its original paint job from the 1980s and untouched fiberglass and aluminum body shell, this car was incredibly valuable when it was auctioned off at Pebble Beach in 2015.
To put that sale price into perspective: another Porsche 956 from 2014 underwent complete restoration before selling for just over $2.5 million at Paris Concours d’Elegance.
This special Porsche is testimony to its amazing endurance over time as well as its enduring popularity amongst racing enthusiasts.
It was sold at $10,120,000
3. Porsche 550 Spyder
In 1953, Porsche launched the 550 Rennsport Spyder which became one of their most acclaimed racing cars.
The lightweight nature of this racecar made it stand out compared to its competitors, including a 1.5-liter flat-four engine that produced 110 horsepower and weighed only 1,301 lbs at its heaviest.
This impressive combination of power and weight earned the 550 Rennsport Spyder the moniker “giant killer” due to its remarkable performance on tracks.
It could accelerate from 0-62 mph in 10 seconds, which was unheard of during its days while reaching a top speed of 137 mph with just a 1.5-liter engine powering it.
It was sold at $6,100,000
4. 1985 Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar
The Porsche 959 Rally was an ambitious project begun by Stuttgart-based automaker Porsche in the early 1980s.
The goal of the project was to build a car that could compete in the demanding Group B class of the World Rally Championship, which had few restrictions on vehicle modifications and set-up.
Developers completed the project in time for its debut, only to discover that Group B had been canceled following the death of both competitors and spectators due to accidents at several events.
With three ready-made cars left without a series to compete, Porsche quickly entered them into the 1985 Paris-Dakar endurance rally.
To meet this tight schedule, one 7th prototype car had to be brought up to work specifications as quickly as possible and sent off with no time for further testing or development.
Nonetheless, this prototype’s original 935/85 Dakar engine powered it through miles of dangerous terrain and is still running perfectly.
This remarkable example car was sold by the Porsche Classics department at RM Sotheby’s 2018 70th Anniversary auction and remains a triumph of German engineering today – ready for another go at any endurance race at any moment – with just an oil change!
It was sold at $5,945,000
5. 1972 Porsche 917/10
The Porsche 917 race cars have earned countless endurance championships and set records for their speed, the enclosed model was poised to become uncompetitive due to changes in competition classes by 1972.
It was then that Porsche turned its attention to the North American Canadian-American Challenge (Can-Am) series. This series was renowned at the time for offering drivers an opportunity to join forces with powerful machines capable of reaching speeds beyond what current technology could offer even today.
The particular 917 models featured in this case boasted an 850 horsepower turbocharged flat-12 engine, a fact that not only allowed it to excel above other competitors but also helped Team Penske Racing take home 5 out of 9 championship titles during the season, driven by racing legends Mark Donohue and George Folmer.
It was sold at $5,830,000
6. 1998 Porsche 911 GT1 Strassenversion
The Porsche 911 GT1 was an extraordinary car built for the FIA GT Championship, an iconic series of endurance races that began in 1997.
To comply with the regulations for entry onto this circuit, all racecar designs had to resemble those available on the consumer market – bringing us to one of Porsche’s rarest models; the Strassenversion (German for ‘street version’).
With only twenty copies released upon selection, this Sports Car brought a twin-turbo flat-six engine along with a 6-speed manual transmission, propelling it from 0-62 mph in just 3.9 seconds whilst its 536 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque rocketed it down straights.
of such models finished in Arctic Silver recently sold at Gooding & Company auction at a staggering price tag of $5,665,000 – a piece indeed worthy of admiration as it remains at one with both its track and street counterparts.
It was sold at $5,665,000
7. 1960 Porsche RS60
Chassis 718-044, the last of only four Porsche RS60s ever built, is truly one of a kind.
Not only has it been driven by some of the most elite drivers in motor racing history–the likes of Moss, Hill, Holbert, Bonnier, Barth, and Herrmann–but it has also seen the top-tier FIA World Championship races and achieved incredible success.
This dazzlingly blue car first made its mark at Le Mans in 1960 with Maurice Trintignant and Hans Herrmann behind the wheel.
Despite suffering a piston failure early on in the race, this car’s dynamic spirit persevered to come out on top during other prestigious competitions such as the Targa Florio and Nürburgring 1000km up until 1965.
Unsurprisingly, based on this illustrious lineage and track record, Porsche’s RS60 continues to be a highly sought-after collectible today–all thanks to Chassis 718-044!
It was sold at $5,400,000
8. 1958 Porsche 550A Spyder 5
This exceptional 1958 Porsche 550A Spyder put up for auction by Bonhams caused a stir amongst collectors despite having a little trouble getting the car started.
This historical gem had already proven its power by finishing second in class at the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans and commanded an impressive $5.17 million, coming right in between its estimated selling price of $4.5 to $5.5 million.
The 550A model was much more than just an evolution of its predecessor as it was a revolutionary step for Porsche, being produced in their newly-opened dedicated competition shop with advanced designs such as its ladder frame for robustness and simplicity. W
ith only 40 ever made, this 550A-0145 is one of few remaining and is even more special due to being from the final batch with all the upgrades added to later models – including 547/3 motor specification which increased compression, centralized distributor and Weber carburetors resulting in 135 horsepower!
It was sold at $5,170,000
9. 1957 Porsche 550A Spyder
The iconic Porsche 550A Spyder was sold to an American racer and became heavily involved in club racing in Southern California.
Three years later, however, its successor model was released and the car changed hands multiple times until it eventually made its way into the possession of a Japanese collector.
Determined to have the car restored to its original glory, this collector sent it for restoration all the way back to Stuttgart.
Fast-forwarding to 2018, as one of only 90 units ever built and with many unique features intact such as its original mechanic’s seat, owner’s manual, and sales slip
This remarkable 1956 Porsche 550A Spyder was put up for auction at Monterey Car Week – which is well-known internationally as one of the most luxurious automotive events around – and successfully sold for a hefty sum.
It was sold at $4,900,000
10. 1979 Porsche 935
The Porsche 935 is an extraordinary automobile that was produced from 1976 to 1985 and sparked much admiration for the German racing car manufacturer.
During its successful nine-year career, this vehicle notched multiple victories at various prestigious events, such as the Daytona 24 Hours and Sebring 12 Hours, plus a second-place overall finish in its debut race at the Le Mans 24 Hours.
This particular car was chassis 009 0030 and was acquired by Dirk Barbour Racing in 1979 to replace a damaged one they had previously owned. It included the latest technological advancements like twin-turbo engines, oversized brake discs, and an upside-down gearbox.
Iconic Hollywood star Paul Newman drove it to victory during Le Mans that year, after falling in love with motor racing while filming ‘Winning’ in 1969. The 3.2 liters flat 6-cylinder engine enabled the 935 to reach speeds of up to 186 miles per hour.
It was sold at $4,840,000
Top 10 Most Expensive Porsche Models of All Time
- 1970 Porsche 917K
- 1982 Porsche 956
- Porsche 550 Spyder
- 1985 Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar
- 1972 Porsche 917/10
- 1998 Porsche 911 GT1 Strassenversion
- 1960 Porsche RS60
- 1958 Porsche 550A Spyder 5
- 1957 Porsche 550A Spyder
- 1979 Porsche 935