12 Rarest Cars in the World and Who Owns Them

You wouldn’t believe who’s buying the rarest cars in the world — and how much they’re paying. More celebrities, CEOs and princes splash cash on one-of-a-kind models than you’d realize. 

1. Mercedes-Benz Maybach Exelero

The Mercedes-Benz Maybach Exelero is a one-off production, making it one of the rarest cars in the world. It’s reportedly worth $8 million, but the exact figure is hard to pin down since it doesn’t exchange hands often. 

The Maybach Exelero appeared in one of Jay-Z’s music videos in the early 2000s, suggesting he might’ve been its owner at one point. There were even rumors an American rapper purchased it around the same time. Today, it’s apparently in the private collection of a celebrity.

2. Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita

Koenigsegg planned to make three CCXR Trevitas, but the proprietary diamond weave carbon fiber treatment was too complex. It only produced two, making it one of the rarest cars in the world. Floyd Mayweather owned one of them until he sold it for $2.6 million in 2017. 

3. Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale

The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is one of the newest models on this list. While it shares its name with the 1967 line, it has a 2024 release date. Even though these vehicles won’t go into production until sometime in 2024, each one was already spoken for in 2023. 

This limited run is Alfa Romeo’s first custom-built car since 1969. According to some estimates, these vehicles are worth $2.15 million each. Each one is highly personalized to every owner’s preferences.

Although many private buyers are from Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom, you won’t see them driving their new 33 Stradale around — the cars are left-hand drive only. Still, you can expect to see them at some point since the buyers all agreed to hold public viewings.

4. Bugatti Divo

Only 40 Bugatti Divos were ever made. Each unit is technically a one-off production because none are identical. The owners chose custom stitching, material, paint and interior colors. Each one is worth roughly $5.78 million. 

Some of the more prestigious owners of the Bugatti Divo include the Prince of Qatar, Chin Jit Pyng — the owner of Malaysia’s largest car collection — and the CEO of an automotive accessory company.

5. Pagani Huayra

The Pagani Huayra has only 100 units. Its carbon-fiber body and a top speed of 230 miles per hour make it a great investment for those who can afford the $4 million price tag — meaning people like Gerard Butler and Vikram Chatwal, two of the most noteworthy owners we know of.

6. 1957 Jaguar XKSS

In 1957, Jaguar planned to manufacture 25 XKSS units. Unfortunately, a factory fire destroyed nine of them, leaving the actual production run at only 16 vehicles. Their rarity and unique style make them valuable — they’re worth $12 million to $14 million each. 

While only a few 1967 Jaguar XKSS units exist, tracking the owners down is tricky. Frankly, people who can afford to drop $13 million on a car they’ll rarely drive know how to maintain their privacy — but we do know the actor Steven McQueen used to own one. Reportedly, other private collectors are mostly people with special interests in Jaguar. 

7. Ferrari Testarossa Pininfarina Spider 

While Ferrari technically manufactured 7,177 Testarossas — and several custom Spider adaptations for Brunei royalty — it only created one model with a convertible top. It crafted the Pininfarina Spider for Fianna Agnelli, the then-chairman of Fiat. 

The Testarossa Pininfarina Spider is the only convertible Testarossa Ferrari ever built. Since Ferrari is among the most historically successful automobile manufacturers in the world, this sports car is valuable. It sold at auction for upwards of $2 million to a private collector. 

8. Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa 

The Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa is rare. In fact, Ferrari only ever produced 33 units. Interestingly, the “pontoon fender” model is even more unique — there are only 19 in existence. Once you see the cars’ unique curves, you’ll understand why private collectors drool over it.  

One of the latest auctions is set for 2024. Pre-auction estimates put the vehicle’s value at $38 million partly because of its history. It was an active competition vehicle for more than 10 years and won four of its 20 official races. 

9. 2020 Apollo Intensa Emozione

The Apollo Intensa Emozione looks like every guy’s dream car. More importantly, it can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 0.27 seconds. It’s one of the rarest cars in the world — only 10 were ever made — so you probably won’t get your hands on one unless you have $3 million to spare. 

While the current Apollo Intensa Emozione owners are secretive, we know three are from North America. We also know one is an entrepreneur named Michael Loke because he was brave enough to give his keys to Apollo’s development drivers for a few test laps. 

Loke’s Intensa Emozione is covered in chameleon pearlescent paint — also known as iridescent paint — which makes the car look like something out of a childhood dream. Other units are fading red, spectraflair silver, deep metallic orange and gloss blue carbon.

10. 2013 Lamborghini Veneno

There were only four 2013 Lamborghini Veneno units ever made. One went to the company’s museum and the rest went to paying customers, making it one of the rarest cars in the world. We know the current private collectors are from Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

11. 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé

While Mercedes-Benz manufactured 300 SLR units, only two were Uhlenhaut prototypes. They were named after Rudolf Uhlenhaut, Mercede’s test department head. One went to Uhlenhaut and the other went to the company vault. 

Uhlenhaut’s car sold at auction in 2022 for $143 million. The event was insanely exclusive — Mercedes only announced it publicly two weeks after it took place. Naturally, they want to protect the buyers’ identity for security and privacy reasons.

That said, we do know a few details about the buyer. Apparently, the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe was sold to a private collector in Britain — someone described as a “well-known figure” in the automotive industry. They’re evidently a luxury car enthusiast.

Some rumors suggest Sir James Arthur Ratcliffe — a British billionaire with a net worth of over $28 billion — is the proud new owner. No matter what, the anonymous individual promised to make the car available to the public on special occasions. Eventually, you’ll figure out their real identity.

12. Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato 

The Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato is one of the rarest cars in the world — only 19 exist. Moreover, only six are left-hand drive. Naturally, they’re valuable. Usually, they sell for anywhere from $9 million to $14 million at auction. The owners are private, but we know most have been dealers and private collectors like Chris Cox or the Andrews Collection. 

Look Out for the Rarest Cars in the World

Most of the people buying these vehicles are probably never going to drive them. Unfortunately, you’ll never see a 2020 Apollo Intensa Emozione or an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale cruising down the highway on your way to work. Still, it’s nice to know there are thousands of people with enough passion — and money — to maintain and restore these one-of-a-kind cars. 

Not to mention, most buyers agree to show their rides off on special occasions. Although the auctions are kept hush-hush, there will definitely be times when the cars are open to the public. You might not see these rare finds on the road, but you can still get an up-close glimpse if you keep an eye out.