Car sales for over $1 million are very uncommon, even for the top auto auctions. Sometimes people with means need to unlock cash from assets. And sometimes even museums, universities and other organizations need to raise cash. The Academy of Art University Automobile Museum normally displays cars that it believes to represent a glimpse into art and design the history of automobiles. The car museum has been closed for some time due to restrictive local COVID-19 protocol. It has been selling many cars throughout multiple U.S. auctions of late to raise capital.

According to Bonhams, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing took the top spot in the Bonhams Audrain Concours Auction on Friday October 1, 2021. The Auction itself achieved an 83% sell-through rate. The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing sold for $1,556,000.

Collectors Dashboard wanted to explore this million-plus dollar car and a description of the cars it beat out. Other automobile sales were rather impressive on their own right. The top-selling Mercedes is one of the world’s most recognized and coveted automobiles. Here is the original car description by Bonhams:

“The early example 300 SL, equipped with racing-derived Rudge wheels from new and retaining its original engine and coachwork, was offered from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco where it had been kept for the past decade in their Classic Automobile Museum.”

Collectors Dashboard evaluates high-end collectibles as an alternative asset class. This means collectibles are attracting the same capital that could have been invested into stocks or bonds. And spending over $1.5 million would go a long way when it comes to investing. Collectors with a passion to own a collectible for years frequently have to compete directly against investors whose only desire is to make a profit in the future.

Here are the other top car sales from the Audrain Concours Auction:

• 1963 Shelby Cobra 260 which sold for $728,250.00 — “The 47th example produced, it was powered by its original 260 cubic-inch engine and was previously owned by a few long-time California keepers.”
• 1913 Alco Five-Passenger Touring Car which sold for $373,500.00 — “This rare and original ‘local hero’ built in The Ocean State was offered publicly for the first time.”
• 2009 Spyker C8 ‘Laviolette’Coupé which sold for $370,750.00 — “a future classic rarity which had covered fewer than 700 miles from new.”
• 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series III Saloon which sold for $307,500.00 — “An original left-hand drive example of the third series of the marque’s first Touring Superleggera-designed sports car, it was also the 1962 New York Show car.”

As for other sales of competing examples of the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, there are some and the price range is generally in the $1.0 million to $1.5 million range.

• A manual edition from 1955 with 57,000 KM on it sold after being listed for $1.2 million via Supercars For Sale.
• ClassicDriver had a 1957 example listed at $1.68 million, in Germany.
• ClassicDriver had a 1958 example listed at $1.82 million in the United States.

ClassicDriver also has the convertible roadster versions of the 300 SL for $1.2 million to $2 million.

Seeing million-dollar sales may not seem all that uncommon for those who track the top car and auto auctions through the course of the year. That said, it is only a few instances of cars per thousand in auctions that ever even come close to these prices.