A 1955 Jaguar D-type has become the most valuable British car ever sold at auction.
It realised $21.7m in RM Sotheby's Monterey sale on August 20.
 The Jaguar D-type won the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans |
The car, chassis number XKD 501, is famous for its victory in the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was raced by Scottish drivers Ninian Sanderson and Ron Flockhart - who achieved a blistering average speed of 105mph during the event.
They finished a full lap ahead of the competition.
The sale also included a record price for any American car, with the first ever Shelby Cobra (chassis number CSX 2000) selling for $13.7m.
It was constructed in creator Carroll Shelby's garage in Santa Fe in 1962. It went on to become one of the most popular American sports cars of all time.
Rounding up the records was a Ferrari 750 Monza, which set a new $5.5m record for the model.
Ian Kelleher, managing director of RM Sotheby's west coast division, said: "Tonight's records for any British car, any American car, and for a Ferrari 750 Monza demonstrate that collectors remain prepared to part with significant sums to secure the rarest, fresh-to-the-market automobiles.
"These outstanding prices achieved at our flagship sale are a reassuring sign that the market remains healthy and vibrant."
The weekend in California marked one of the biggest events on the classic car calendar, featuring numerous sales and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance - won this year by a 1936 Lancia Astura.
Bonhams' Quail Lodge auction also saw strong results, with a 1931 Bugatti Type 51 selling for $4m.
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