a 7.2 billion legend: maserati MC12 Stradale breaks auction record for most expensive car ever sold at auction

last August, the Monterey Car Week auction in California, USA, shook up the car collector market. a 2005 Maserati MC12 Stradalesold fora staggering $5.2 million, the highest price ever paid for a modern Maserati model. Here’s everything you need to know about this legendary supercar that proved its enduring value more than 20 years after its introduction.

a legend on the road with racing DNA

rarity with a production run of just 50 examples

The MC12 Stradale is an extremely rare model, produced in 2004 and 2005 in a limited run of just 50 examples worldwide. It epitomizes Maserati’s extreme performance, engineering and bold design philosophy. the 5,988 cc V12 naturally aspirated engine produces a peak power output of 630 hp at 7,500 rpm, and the car’s unique two-tone white and blue livery, a tribute to the legendary 1959 Maserati Birdcage Type 61 race car, has become iconic.

The road-going version of the MC12 GT1 that dominated FIA GT

The MC12 Stradale’s value doesn’t just come from its rarity: it was created as a road-going version of the MC12 GT1, the race car that dominated the FIA GT Championship from 2004 to 2010. The MC12 GT1 is a racing legend, having won 14 titles and 22 victories, including two Constructors’ Cups, five Drivers’ Championships, and six Team Championships. This racing heritage makes the MC12 Stradale more than just a supercar, but an icon of timeless technology and performance.

timeless values and the future of Maserati

the auction result is a remarkable record, surpassing the previous highest price ever paid for an MC12 Stradale by 37%. the price of $7.2 billion is more than just a number, it’s a testament to the market’s intense interest in supercars that combine sporting heritage, rarity, and technological innovation. it also confirms Maserati’s position in the collector market, which values brand authenticity and heritage. in keeping with this spirit, Maserati is continuing its timeless performance and prestige with a limited edition model, the MCXTrema.