The 1970 Porsche 917K is the most expensive Porsche ever sold at auction, commanding $14 million in 2017. This legendary Le Mans winner is one of just 69 917 models built, with chassis no. 917-023 enjoying particular historic significance. Powered by a thundering 1,100 horsepower turbocharged flat 12, the 917K remains the holy grail for Porsche collectors.
Porsches have always commanded premium prices, but a select few stand head and shoulders above the rest in terms of their astronomical auction value. These uber-rare, ultra-high performance Porsches have each fetched well over $5 million at auction – some two or even three times that much.
They represent the creme de la creme of Porsche collectibles. Join us on a countdown through the 10 most expensive Porsche models ever sold publicly.
Top 10 Most Expensive Porsche
#10) 1958 Porsche 550A Spyder
Kicking off the list is this gorgeous, open-top 550A Spyder from 1958. One of only 43 ever built, chassis no. 550A-0131 scored a top bid of $5,170,000 at RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale in 2018. Behind its diminutive size, the 130 horsepower 550A was a giant-killer in its day.
Lighter and nimbler than the competition, it pulled off a class win in the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans. This car’s first private owner was none other than Hollywood icon James Dean. Talk about pedigree! The 550A Spyder is the most affordable entry among the top 10 priciest Porsches, but over $5 million is still rarified air.
#9) 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder
The predecessor to the 550A Spyder also makes the list, with this 1955 550 model fetching $5,335,000 at a 2012 Gooding & Company auction. The pre-A cars were even more bare bones and stripped down, gifting them with feather-like agility.
Actor James Dean fatefully crashed his personal 550 Spyder just one week after purchasing it in 1955.
Only 90 Spyder 550 units were produced by Porsche between 1953-1956, highlighting the exclusivity of this silver blue chassis no. 550-0055. It has an extensive period racing history across Europe and North America, adding to its value for collectors.
#8) 1960 Porsche RS60 Spyder
In 1960, Porsche built just 19 of these purpose-built 718 RS60 race cars. The lightweight aluminum chassis no. 718-060 sold for a cool $5.4 million at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2019 event.
Displacing just 1.6 liters, its flat four cylinder engine was factory rated at an optimistic 185 horsepower. The RS60 Spyder tipped the scales under 1,300 pounds with fluids, helping it punch well above its weight in competition.
This car never managed to finish at Le Mans but raced successfully in hill climbs and smaller European events in-period. A rare bird among rare birds, the RS60 Spyder takes #8 among the marque’s priciest sales.
#7) 1998 Porsche 911 GT1 Strassenversion
Porsche stunned the world when it introduced this 911-based mid-engine supercar for the road in 1998. The 911 GT1 Strassenversion came on the heels of Porsche’s back to back victories at Le Mans in 1996 and 1997.
Only 20 road cars were made to comply with racing homologation rules. Car no. 00006 grabbed headlines when it became one of the most valuable Porsche 911s ever auctioned, selling for $5.665M at RM Sotheby’s Paris 2019 event.
Its 3.2 liter twin turbo flat six churns out 590 horsepower, rocketing the GT1 Strassenversion to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds despite manual steering and no anti-lock brakes. Talk about analogue driving excitement!
#6) 2007 Porsche RS Spyder EVO
This modern Porsche prototype race car smashed auction records when it commanded $5.615 million at Gooding & Company’s 2016 Amelia Island sale. The RS Spyder was designed specifically to win its class at Le Mans and other ALMS endurance events.
And win it did, notching back to back LMP-2 class victories at Le Mans from 2006 to 2008. This 2007 EVO model (chassis #916) is one of only 16 units powered by a 3.4 liter V8 engine producing 503 horsepower.
Towards the tail end of its prime in ALMS competition, this RS Spyder added overall victory at Road Atlanta and Mosport in 2007 and 2008 with Penske Racing behind the wheel. Nowadays, it can only be admired behind velvet ropes rather than screaming at 9,000 rpm.
#5) 1972 Porsche 917/10 Spyder Can Am
The early 1970s Can Am series featured some of the most powerful and technologically unhinged race cars ever unleashed on closed circuits. The organization folded after 1974 because things simply got too out of hand, too dangerous.
This 1,100 horsepower, fire-breathing 917/10 Spyder represents the absolute pinnacle of that no holds barred Can Am insanity. Chassis no. 917/10-002 sold for $5.83 million at Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach auction in 2000.
Its outrageous flat 12 cylinder turbocharged engine propelled it to near Indianapolis speeds. Driven by legends like Mark Donohue and George Follmer, the 917/10 was so dominant Porsche had to hold it back to avoid total humiliation of McLaren’s efforts.
#4) 1985 Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar
Just when other manufacturers thought they’d caught up with Porsche’s 911 Turbo, the German engineers relentlessly moved the goalposts again. Enter the 1985 959 Paris-Dakar, essentially a twin turbo all wheel drive Group B rally prototype tamed somewhat for the road.
The six figure price and complex technology made it the world’s most exotic production car at the time. This Rothmans liveried legend (chassis no. 0016) fetched a staggering $5.945 million selling price at RM Sotheby’s Porsche 70th Anniversary Sale in Atlanta.
As if the 450 horsepower 2.8 liter flat six wasn’t enough, the factory also prepped this car to contend Porsche’s first entry in the famously grueling Paris to Dakar endurance rally. It didn’t win but proved Porsche wasn’t afraid to accept the ultimate challenge.
#3) 1956 Porsche 550 1500 RS Spyder
The final entry of Porsche’s famed 550 Spyder on our list became one of the first cars ever to break $6 million at public auction when it sold for $6.1 million at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2019 night sale.
The 1956 Porsche 550 1500 RS Spyder has an incredible racing pedigree having been driven by legends like Hans Hermann, Wolfgang von Trips, and Richard von Frankenberg.
One prior owner was the 1950s actress and model Liselotte “Lilo” Pulver. Under that gorgeous aluminum bodywork lies the venerable Porsche 1500 RS flat four engine and an incredible period racing history at the likes of Le Mans and Mille Miglia.
Out of just 52 RS Spyder examples built, this sparkling silver chassis no. 550-0066 spent significant time as a factory development car, testing the latest speed parts for Porsche’s ever improving 550 racer package.
#2) 1982 Porsche 956
Without doubt the most successful endurance racing car of the 1980s, the legendary Porsche 956 won Le Mans four years running from 1982 to 1985, unbeaten every time. The Group C chassis no.
009 put up for auction at RM Sotheby’s 2017 Monterey sale won Le Mans both 1982 and 1983, piloted by drivers Derek Bell, Jacky Ickx and Al Holbert. Powered by a twin turbo 2.6 liter flat six making at least 635 horsepower (rumors pegged it as high as 800), the 956 reset the bar for downforce and slippery aerodynamics.
Selling for a huge $10,120,000, this historically significant machine proved people are willing to pay a premium for the cars that made racing history. Three other private 956s have changed hands in the $3-4 million range.
#1) 1970 Porsche 917K
Far eclipsing every other car at auction, Porsche’s mighty 917K race car from 1970 set and still holds the record for the most expensive Porsche ever publicly sold when it commanded $14 million back in 2017 at RM Sotheby’s Porsche 70th birthday auction in Atlanta.
Adjusted for inflation, some journalists argue the total comes closer to $16 or $17 million USD. Only 69 units of the legendary Le Mans-winning 917 model were built for homologation purposes, with this chassis no. 917-023 being one of the most successful.
Gulf-liveried drivers Derek Bell and Jo Siffert piloted it to a heroic 1-2 photo finish at the 1970 Spa 1000 km race. This Porsche 917K also led Le Mans in 1971 for 222 laps but sadly retired before the finish.
With a claimed 1,100+ horsepower from its turbocharged flat 12 cylinder engine, the 917K remains the ultimate prize for serious Porsche collectors who won’t settle for anything less than the best of the best.