What makes a car worth millions of dollars? Is it the badge on the hood, the rumble of the engine, or the fact that only five of them exist in the world? In the world of high-end American automotive engineering, it’s often all three and more.
From record-breaking classics to futuristic electric beasts, America has produced some jaw-droppingly expensive vehicles that turn heads on the street and set records at auctions. These aren’t just vehicles; they’re icons, investments, and, in many cases, rolling pieces of history.
In this blog, we’re diving deep into the most expensive American car ever sold, the jaw-dropping American luxury car prices of 2025, and the elite lineup of muscle, electric, and sports cars that command top dollar. Whether you’re a collector, a dreamer, or just curious, you’re about to explore the ultimate garage of American-made excellence.
So keep reading to know them all.
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Top 10 Most Expensive American Cars (Overall)
American car collecting has seen jaw-dropping prices. Iconic models, from pre‑war roadsters to modern hypercars, now rank among the most expensive American cars in history. This list mixes classic “muscle” icons with new tech marvels, highlighting record auctions and market prices.
Even today, American luxury car prices for these rarities reach the multi-million mark, with collector cars for sale often advertised in the seven-figure range. Each entry below includes verified sale or list prices and notable auction records.
1. 1935 Duesenberg SSJ (Model J “Short-S” Speedster) – $22,000,000.
The ultimate American classic: only two SSJ roadsters were ever built (this one famously owned by actor Gary Cooper).
In 2018 it set a new record when Gooding & Co. sold the SSJ for $22 million. That sale made it the most expensive American car ever sold at auction.
Its 400-hp supercharged straight-8 and Art Deco coachwork make this pre-war Duesenberg a rare trophy (and proof that even American cars in history can reach stratospheric values).
2. 1962 Shelby Cobra 260 “CSX2000” (Shelby) – $13,750,000.
Carroll Shelby’s very first Cobra – a lightweight British AC Ace chassis with a Ford V8 – set a high-water mark for classic sports cars. This one‑of‑a‑kind Cobra (never restored) sold for $13.75M at RM Sotheby’s.
Its unmatched provenance (used as Shelby’s press car) and performance pedigree helped it fetch 10× the value of a normal Cobra. The Shelby Cobra appears on lists of the most expensive American muscle cars sold, showing that authentic ’60s muscle still commands top dollar.
3. 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf/Mirage (GT40 Mk I) – $11,000,000.
A legendary race-bred Ford, this Gulf-liveried GT40 won at Spa in 1967 and was later used as the camera car in Steve McQueen’s film Le Mans. Despite being built in England, the GT40 is Ford’s creation, and this example sold for $11M at auction.
It shows that historically significant American (Ford) race cars are hugely valuable: even a GT40 “camera car” can crack the top of the price charts.
4. 1931 Duesenberg Model J Coupe (Murphy Double-Cowl Phaeton) – $10,340,000.
Another Duesenberg entry: this ultra-rare long‑wheelbase Model J was originally custom-ordered by millionaire George Whittell Jr. In 2012 it fetched $10.34M at a Gooding & Co. auction, a staggering result for an early 1930s coachbuilt coupe.
Its bespoke aluminium body and 400‑hp inline‑8 engine made it world‑class in its day, and today its sale price underscores how American cars ever made can rival top European classics.
5. 1965 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe – $7,685,000.
An all-American effort in racing, the Daytona coupe was Shelby’s aerodynamic racer (built in Italy but with US power). They made only six cars; and this championship-winning body (CSX2601) sold for $7.69M.
As the first American car to win the FIA World Sportscar Championship, its scarcity (and win-at-Reims history) gave it massive collector value. The Daytona demonstrates that even mid‑60s American racers are among the most expensive American cars ever made when they have the pedigree.
6. 1964 Ford GT40 (Chassis GT/104) – $7,560,000.
One of the earliest Ford GT40s (the fourth built) also commands millions. This chassis, an early test car for Shelby American, sold for $7.56M.
It may lack the Gulf branding of the more famous GT40, but its rarity and Ford racing heritage made it highly desirable. Its price shows that American luxury car prices (in the collector sense) can reach seven figures even for less celebrated classics.
7. 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 “Super Snake” – $5,500,000.
Carroll Shelby’s own street‑legal monster, a dual-supercharged Cobra 427 nicknamed “Super Snake”, set records in its own right.
In 2007 this one-of-two Cobra sold for $5.5M, briefly the highest price ever paid for an American car. With 800 hp on tap and exotic status, the Super Snake epitomizes the peak of classic muscle cars and held the auction record until the Duesenberg sale passed it.
8. 2022 Hennessey Venom F5 (Coupe) – $2,205,000.
A modern Texas-built hypercar from John Hennessey’s marque. Its 6.6L twin-turbo V8 makes 1,817 hp for an official ~300 mph capability. In March 2024 a Venom F5 (chassis #02) sold for $2.205M at the Broad Arrow (Amelia Island) auction.
Even roadster variants have been advertised around $2.8M, illustrating how contemporary American hypercars can reach multi‑million dollar car-for-sale listings. The F5 is not only among America’s fastest cars but also ranks high as one of the most expensive American cars ever for sale.
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9. 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake – $2,200,000.
Another one-of-a-kind Shelby creation: a 1967 Mustang GT500 fitted with a 427 cu-in engine and racing upgrades, dubbed the GT500 “Super Snake”. This unique muscle coupe sold for $2.2M in 2019, the highest price any Mustang has ever achieved at auction.
Its stellar condition and one-off status drove the value, showing that even classic Mustangs can enter this elite price club.
10. 2022 SSC Tuatara (Coupe) – ~$1,900,000.
The SSC Tuatara is an American-built hypercar from SSC North America (Washington state). Its 5.9L twin-turbo V8 (1,750 hp) broke top-speed records, and its rarity (100 planned units) makes it pricey. The base price is roughly $1.9–2.0M.
While not yet on the same auction record level as classics, it’s widely cited among the most expensive American cars ever made due to its list price and performance pedigree.
Most Expensive New American Cars (2025 Edition)
Hennessey Venom F5 Hypercar – ~$2.1M (coupe), ~$3M (Roadster/Revolution)
Hennessey’s Venom F5 is a hand-built Texas hypercar packing an 1817-hp twin-turbo V8, targeted for a 311+ mph top speed. The coupe version (24 units planned) carries a base price around $2.1 million.
An open-top Roadster variant and one-off “Revolution” editions (1,817 hp, Nürburgring-focused) push final pricing toward $3 million
All are bespoke commissions, built to order with extreme aerodynamic and interior customisation (carbon-fibre tub, 6‑speed manual, etc.). Availability is extremely limited (sold by direct application to Hennessey, with each car individually commissioned).
2. SSC Tuatara – ~$1.6M
The SSC Tuatara is a U.S.-made hypercar from Washington state, featuring a bespoke 5.9L twin-turbo V8 (up to 1,750 hp on E85) and a record-setting low drag body. It has been officially quoted at about $1.6 million and was limited to roughly 100 units in total (including all variants).
The Tuatara holds a verified top-speed run near 300 mph and offers exotic materials (carbon fibre monocoque, active aerodynamics) and ultra-lightweight craftsmanship. Production is essentially complete, with any remaining cars built by SSC North America’s order-only program.
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3. Cadillac Celestiq – ~$340,000 Starting
Cadillac’s Celestiq is an ultra-luxury all-electric flagship sedan (hand-built in Michigan) with an estimated base price in the mid‑$300,000 range. Every unit is highly customized (4 exterior paint “sides”, 275+ patented features, active glass roof, five interior displays) and built to individual specs.
The Celestiq uses extensive 3D-printed and laser-cut components (for example, the hand-polished 3D-printed steering-wheel hub) and lavish materials (brushed aluminium, hand-stitched leather).
Cadillac notes it is “by inquiry only” with “extremely limited availability”, meaning each car is built-to-order in very small volumes for customers who apply through Cadillac’s concierge program.
4. Ford Mustang GTD – $325,000 starting
The 2025 Ford Mustang GTD is a track-focused, street-legal supercar. It packs an 815-hp supercharged 5.2L V8 (hand-built flat-plane crank) that can propel the car to 202 mph, and it famously lapped the Nürburgring in under 7 minutes.
Ford has confirmed a starting price around $325,000. Production is very limited (roughly 300–700 cars per year), and all units are by special allocation or invitation (the order window closed quickly).
The GTD comes trimmed in carbon-fibre aero (fixed wing, dive planes), magnesium wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes, and a race-derived suspension, essentially a one-make-series Mustang for road use.
5. Lucid Air Sapphire—$249,000 – $249,000 (fully equipped)
The Lucid Air Sapphire is a limited-edition high-performance version of the Lucid Air EV sedan. It uses a new three-motor AWD setup to produce 1,234 hp(0‑60 mph in 1.89 s) while still delivering an EPA-estimated 427‑mile range.
The Sapphire’s exterior and chassis are track-tuned (wide fenders, active aero, carbon-ceramic brakes), and the interior adds exclusive first-class features (18-way sport seats with massage, Alcantara trim, “Sapphire Blue” accents). Lucid lists the fully equipped Air Sapphire at about $249,000.
It is in production for 2024–2025 as a top-tier trim, sold via Lucid’s direct sales channels; availability is limited by production capacity, and buyers must reserve/configure through Lucid (no dealer network).
Lucid Air Sapphire high-performance electric sedan (2025 model). Lucid’s flagship four-door sedan, Sapphire trim, packs 1,234 hp, has a 427-mile range, and costs about $249K.
6. Tesla Roadster (2nd Gen) – $200,000 base / $250,000 Founder’s Series
Tesla’s long-awaited second-generation Roadster is a mid-engine electric sports car aiming to “smack down” gasoline supercars. The company initially listed a $200,000 base price and a $250,000 Founders Series price for the first 1,000 units. It uses three electric motors (one front, two rear) and a massive ~200 kWh battery for extreme performance.
However, Tesla claims specs like under 1.9 s 0–60 mph (with optional cold-gas thrusters for even faster launch) and over 620 miles of range at highway speeds (with a top speed over 250 mph).
Also, the Roadster is not yet in full production; Tesla has stated production will begin in 2025, and customer orders require a reservation deposit (~$50,000). It will be available by reservation only (through Tesla’s website), reflecting its hypercar status.
Each of these vehicles represents the pinnacle of American automotive luxury or performance as of 2025. They all command multimillion-dollar or high-six-figure price tags, offer unique craftsmanship or cutting-edge technology, and are available only in very limited numbers.
All are aimed at collectors or enthusiasts seeking exclusive, top-tier American-built machinery.
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Conclusion
The above lists of most expensive American cars demonstrate that each car is a different story in itself. Every car is not only a car but an expression of luxury, speed, and advancement in the technology.
However, if you are thinking of buying any, then do consider reviewing its specs and other expenses as well. As these cars have higher insurance and maintenance costs, which makes them hard to look after.
Anyhow, if you want to know more about the luxury cars, then do explore our other blogs and exotic car reviews.