The Jacht was originally a lightweight Dutch naval vessel used to pursue pirates in shallow waters. When King Charles II chose to sail in one on his return to England in what would later be known as the English Restoration, the Jacht became a symbol of important and, eventually, wealth and luxury. Today, that tradition is still quite alive and nothing demonstrates that fact better than the most expensive yachts in the world.

Octopus – $200 million

Owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, Octopus is the world’s eighth largest yacht. The 414-foot yacht was first launched in 2003. The yacht has two helicopters, a submarine with room for ten men and seven boats. For those who’d like to see the ocean floor, the yacht even includes a remote controlled vehicle to do so.

Rising Sun – $200 million

Co-owned by Oracle’s Larry Ellison and media mogul David Geffen, Rising Sun is 453-feet and five stories of oceangoing luxury. It was built with one goal in mind—to exceed the size of Paul Allen’s Octopus, above. This pricey yacht has 8,000 feet of living space with onyx countertops and Jacuzzi bathrooms, a spa and sauna, a gym and even a private movie theatre with an enormous plasma screen.

Lady Moura – $210 million

This 344-foot mega-yacht is owned by billionaire Nasser Al-Rashid. It features a pool with retractable roof, a 75-foot dining table crafted by Viscount Linley and a helicopter. Lady Moura’s most remarkable feature, however, is the beach resort that slides out of one side of the boat. The mini resort features not only sand and deck chairs, but even includes palm trees for a truly authentic resort experience.

Dubai – $350 million

This costly yacht has gone by three names since its conception—Platinum 525, Golden Star and, most recently, Dubai. The Platinum 525 was commissioned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei in 1996, but a lack of funds caused the project to be abandoned a scant couple of years later. In 2001, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, then Crown Prince and now ruler of Dubai, took over the project and renamed it the Golden Star. Dubai is as expansive as it is expensive. The 525-foot yacht features an owner’s suite, five VIP suites and a number of guest bedrooms. The bridge features the captain’s quarters, an office and a lounge. The foyer and atrium connects each deck while lighting them from above via skylight. The luxury yacht is powered by four diesel engines with over 9,000 horsepower altogether.

Streets of Monaco – $1.1 billion

The amazing Streets of Monaco yacht will not only rival Roman Abramovich’s Eclipse (below) in price, but also in sheer audacity. Rather than being the largest or most secure yacht in the world, Monaco will feature scaled-down reproductions of landmarks from its namesake city-state. This 500-foot yacht will feature a go-kart track on deck inspired by the Monaco Grand Prix, as well as reproductions of the Hotel de Paris, La Rascasse and the Loews Hotel. It’s being designed by Yacht Island Design of Derbyshire County in England and will accomodate 16 guests and 70 crewmembers. For the owner, a 4,800-square-foot suite with three floors is planned.

Eclipse – $1.2 billion

Russian billionaire and Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich’s super-yacht will be a 560-foot monster requiring a minimum of 70 crewmembers and featuring eleven guests. Abramovich and his guests will be protected by a security system that uses laser bursts to foil digital paparazzi photography when activated, anti-bugging and anti-intruder systems and a missile detection system. They’ll also enjoy a swimming pool that can be drained and used as a dance floor, an additional swimming pool and an aquarium. The yacht holds two helicopters, three boats and a submarine.

The sticker price only tells half the story when it comes to purchasing a new auto. Beyond that price tag, there’s maintenance and, of course, auto insurance. Luckily, Insure.com has made a list of America’s most expensive 2010 cars to insure.

The list includes only 2010 models and is based on the average insurance for a 40-year-old male with a good driving record and a 12-mile commute. The policies surveyed include liability protection and uninsured motorist coverage. The prices set by the insurers are based not just on the cars themselves, but also on the driving habits of those most likely to own such a car.

They found that the least expensive 2010 car to insure is the Mazda Tribue i at $1,070.25 annually.

The most expensive 2010 car to insure is the 6-cylinder Porsche 911 Carrera GT2 2-door coupe. That’s no surprise, as this sort of luxury vehicle appeals to those who’d like to test the car’s top speed of over 200 mph. The price to insure this 500+ hp monster of a sports car averages at $2,943.78 annually.

America’s most expensive 2010 vehicles to insure
Porsche 911 Carrera GT2 – $2,943.78
Mercedes S65 AMG – $2,863.03
Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe – $2,851.89
Porsche Panamera Turbo AWD – $2,837.39
Dodge Viper SRT-10 Convertible – $2,815.90

Lawrence of Arabia atop a Brough Superior SS100

Sure new motorcycles utilize technology that comes from NASA or the Air Force or whatever, but some people will always prefer the historical value of a classic motorcycle. Take, for instance, the most expensive classic motorcycle in the world–the Brough Superior SS100.

Each of these bikes was custom built and designed by George Brough in Nottingham, England. The SS100 was the fastest motorcycle of its time. The bike’s engine was a 1,000 cc twin-cam KTOR JAP V twin. In 1927, the SS100 achieved a record speed of 130 mph. In 1928, Brough broke that record by .6 mph. It was, as advertised, the “Rolls Royce of Motorcycles.”

Lawrence of Arabia owned one of the first SS100 motorcycles and it was a crash on an SS100 motorcycle that took his life in 1935. That bike is now on display at the Imperial War Museum in London.

The most expensive classic motorcycle was sold at auction at The Haynes International Motor Museum in October, 2010. Its final price was an astonishing £286,000 (US $442,000).

In 2009, a British transportation museum paid a pretty penny for tires, but are they the most expensive tires in the world?

1929 Leyland Lion bus tires
$800 each

The Lincolnshire Road Transport Museum’s premier exhibit, a 1929 Leyland Lion bus, required new tires to make it roadworthy for the museum’s 50th anniversary. In order to replace the old and significantly cracked tires, the museum was eventually forced to order specialty tiles from America.

The Leyland Lion is the only surviving example of its model, the other three having been scrapped after serving as transport during World War II. This particular bus was used as a snowplow until it became the museum’s first acquisition around 1954.

Michelin PAX tires for Bugatti Veyron – $9,065 each

It makes some sense that the world’s most expensive car would have proportionately expensive tires. The car uses specialized Michelin PAX run-flat tires, which can be used for a short time after the tire has been punctured.

Michelin tires for Caterpillar 797 – $42,500 each

Truly the most expensive tires in the world, the Michelin 59/80R63 XDR tires required for the Caterpillar 797 dump trucks are a massive 13 feet tall and weigh 11,680 lbs. They are the largest tires in the world. These tires require 47 nuts to be attached to the axle. Six of these enormous tires can hold up to 1,375,000 lbs of truck and load.

Considering phones, watches, MP3 players and desktop computers are all too happy to tell you today’s date, it seems as if traditional calendars lack a place in the modern world. If your calendar is one of the most expensive calendars in the world, well, the form may be more important to you than the function.

Ginza Tanaka 2011 Gold Miffy Calendar – $655,000

Two-thousand eleven is the year of the rabbit, and Japanese jewelry house Ginza Tanaka is celebrating that fact with a solid gold calendar featuring Dutch artist Dick Bruna’s creation, a rabbit called Miffy. The calendar is made with 6 ounces of pure gold and measures 2 feet tall and over 1 foot wide.

Porsche Design Advent Calendar – $1 million

This ultra expensive calendar is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Not only is the calendar itself almost 6 feet tall and made with brushed aluminum with double-coat finished surfaces, it’s also filled with exciting Porsche items. Behind the twenty-four lit windows marking the days leading up to Christmas, Porsche Design has placed an array of goodies including a Porsche Design P’6910 Indicator watch in rosé gold, an individually customizable Porsche Design Kitchen P’7340 and a 27-foot motor yacht.

Only five of these calendars have been created and only one will be sold on any continent.

Maybe you have the right clothes and the right jeep or SUV, but that plain black spare tire cover just isn’t going to cut it. It doesn’t say enough about you as a person and it certainly didn’t cost enough. No, you need the most expensive spare tire cover in the world.

That’s where celebrated artist Damien Hirst comes in, as his spin painted wheel cover is as costly as it gets. The cover, offered by Other Criteria, is made of stainless steel and high impact plastic, and the painted surface is protected from the sun by UV laminate. Of course, each of these bespoke spare tire covers is made to fit one of the varieties of 4×4 tire used by off-road vehicles.

The Damien Hirst Stainless Steel 4×4 Wheel Cover is priced at £900 (US $1,377).

It shouldn’t be surprising that golfers, numbering doctors and other affluent individuals among their ranks, have some fairly expensive pieces of equipment available to them. From clubs to bags and even ball markers, there seems to be no end to the luxurious versions of standard golf equipment.

Hummer H2 golf cart – $19,999

Based on the military’s HMMWV, or Humvee, Hummer proved popular in the States before General Motors’ bankruptcy forced them to look into selling the brand. This Hummer H2 body kit, licensed by GM, is built over a 3.75 hp aluminum club car chassis. The electric cart is an NEV capable of speeds up to 20 mph and includes headlights, turn signals and brake lights. As for convenience, the cart also includes a cooler under the hood, storage under the seat, a tinted windshield, fog lights, glove boxes, a fold-down tailgate and, of course, drink holders. It’s stamped with H2 logos on the sides and rear bumper and has another pair of bumpers embroidered into the seats. It even has the option of either a carbon fiber or wood grain dashboard.

Garia Edition Soleil de Minuit Golf Car – $52,000

From the Porsche factory in Finland comes a golf car with practically any feature you could ask for. The aesthetically pleasing cart is a limited edition of the standard Garia golf car with custom paint, two-colored hand-stitched seats and a carbon roof lined with alcantara, as well as standard Garia features such as two golf bag carriers, a painted utility box, scratch-resistant side skirts, a scorecard and penholder on the steering wheel. Perhaps the most impressive Garia feature, though, is the optional dashboard refrigerator. You’ll never want for a cold drink on the links again.

Garia LSV – $62,000

This model of Garia’s expensive golf cart has one significant advantage over its less expensive predecessors–it’s street legal. Equipped with seatbelts, side mirrors, hydraulic brakes and a 4 hp electric motor capable of speeds up to 25 mph, this luxury golf cart has all the safety features necessary to allow it to be classified as a roadworthy low-speed vehicle. Like the Soleil de Minuit, above, the LSV may also be equipped with such amenities as hand-stitched seats, digital instrumentation layout, a stereo and a dashboard refrigerator. If you order directly from Garia, you can even customize the Garia LSV with your choice of over 100 different body, roof and dashboard colors, three different colors of upholstery and 10″ or 12″ wheels.

If your passion for performance and luxury autos cannot be stopped, and your McLaren F1 is becoming a bore along with the rest of your exotic cars, it might be time to check out Top Gear’s “Car of the Decade,” the Bugatti Veyron. The most recent model, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, has an estimated price tag of $2.3 million and, if that figure is even close to the ultimate price, will be the most expensive car in the world.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport “World Record Edition”

The Super Sport, unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August 2010, is not your typical luxury car. Its W16 engine—essentially two narrow-angle V8s sharing a crankshaft—with four turbochargers generates 1,200 hp and, along with improved aerodynamics over the original Veyron, allows it to reach a top speed of 268 miles per hour. That makes the Super Sport the fastest production car in the world.

The original Bugatti Veyron 16.4, which entered production in 2005, hits 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, does the quarter-mile in 10.5 seconds and reaches its top speed of 252 mph in just 55 secs. It came after a long absence from the market for Bugatti and helped the brand reclaim its title as the ultimate performance car and reign supreme as the world’s most expensive production car.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4

The Veyron is named after Pierre Veyron, who won the 1939 24 Hours of Le Mans while driving a Bugatti Type 57 with Jean-Pierre Wimille.

According to New York’s Luxury Institute, who surveyed 500 households with incomes over $200,000 in 2006, Porsche is the most prestigious brand of automobiles. While some may argue in favor of Bugatti or Rolls-Royce, that is still high praise indeed.

Porsche Carrera GT

The most expensive new Porsche currently avaialable is the Porsche Carrera GT at $440,000. With a top speed of 205+ mph and the capability to accelerate from 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds, it’s certainly fast enough to justify its price.

Porsche 918 Spyder

Their new concept car, the Porsche 918 Spyder, will be the German company’s next most expensive production car. The 918 Spyder is a two-seater convertible with a 500 hp V8 engine. It has a top speed of 199 mph and can accelerates from 0 to 60 in under 3.2 seconds. Its electric drive-systems allow it to run 15 miles on electric power and it consumes fuel at a rate of 78 miles per gallon.

This fantastic new Porsche is likely to have an MSRP around $650,000.

If you’re looking for the most expensive Porsche in history, however, look no further than this Porsche 917, chassis no. 031/026.

This Porsche, originally a 1970 Gulf-JWA Le Mans 917K Coupe numbered 026, made history when it was driven by David Hobbs and Mike Hailwood in the 1970 Le Mans. In the middle of a downpour in the 50th lap, Hailwood cruised past the pit stop where rain tires were readied and crashed into a parked car. What was left of the vehicle was repaired with the 031 chassis, but swapped numbering with the original 026 chassis to avoid complications.

The original 026 chassis, now numbered 031, was repaired and re-issued as a 1972-73 Porsche 917 Interserie Spyder. It was driven by Ernst Kraus in the 1972 European InterSerie Championship and by Jurgen Barth in the 1973 series.

This storied Porsche is equipped with a 5.4 liter, flat-12 cylinder, 630 horsepower engine and weighs approximately 1,600 lbs. It was sold at an August 2010 Bonhams & Butterfields auction at Quail Lodge in Monterey, where it achieved a staggering $3.9 million price.

If you own a $2 million-plus supercar, chances are you want to keep it in top condition both inside and out. Of course, no ordinary car wash can be trusted with a Bugatti Veyron or Pagani Zonda. Fortunately for owners of the most expensive cars in the world, Gurcharn Sahota of Elite Detailing offers the most expensive car wash in the world.

Sahota’s premium detailing process begins with a thorough wash using pH neutral shampoo and citrus degreasers, as well as clay bars to remove tarry substances. He then uses an electric scanner and ultra-fine sandpaper to remove even the most miniscule scratches in the paint before applying a Brazilian wax that costs over $12,000 per can. The entire process can take as long as 4 weeks and costs over $10,000.

Incredibly, Sahota runs Elite Detailing out of his parents’ house outside of Derby, England, where he has converted their garage into a workshop complete with a pit and special tiles imported from Italy.

Of the four most expensive bikes in the world, three were created in honor of Lance Armstrong, whose victory over cancer is as legendary as his ongoing career. The Lance Armstrong Foundation, founded in 1997 after Armstrong was diagnosed with the disease, raises funds and awareness to support cancer research and help cancer sufferers.

7-Diamond – $75,000

This expensive bike was sold to an anonymous buyer at the Lance Armstrong Foundation Gala in 2005. Studded with seven 1-carat Gemesis man-made diamonds and 300 white diamonds, the gold-plated bike commemorated Armstrong’s victory over seven Tour de France events. The expensive bike was a joint effort between Trek Bikes, Nike, jeweler Alan Friedman and artist Lenny Futura.

Aurumania’s Gold Bike Crystal edition – $114,000

Aurumania’s Gold Bike Crystal edition is almost entirely plated with 24 karat gold—even the spokes. The seat is a Brooks saddle made of the finest leather, while the handlebars have grips made with hand-sewn, chocolate brown leather. Even the numbered badge is made of leather. Of course, the bike isn’t called “Crystal edition” for nothing. It’s decorated with over 600 Swarovski crystals—including the Aurmania name written in Braille along the crossbar. Only ten of these spectacular bicycles were produced.

Trek Yoshitomo Nara Speed Concept – $200,000

Yoshitomo Nara created this work of art, a Trek Speed Concept bike embellished with his signature angry, childlike figures and his own take on the Livestrong logo, as a custom time trial bike to commemorate Armstrong’s renewed cycling career in 2009. The bike was displayed at the Stages event organized by The Lance Armstrong Foundation and Nike to raise cancer awareness. It was sold at the Bikes of Stages auction at Sotheby’s, which raised $1,125,000 for The Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Trek “Butterfly” Madone – $500,000

Like the Speed Concept above, this Trek Madone was decorated in honor of Armstrong’s return to cycling. When Damien Hirst got his hands on the bike, he coated it with hundreds of wings taken from butterflies. While PETA were predictably angry at Hirst’s chosen medium, the “Butterfly” Madone became the most expensive bicycle in the world at the Bikes of Stages auction.

Motorcycles have had mass appeal to the general public for roughly a century and a half. An American named Sylvester Howard Roper designed one of the first motorcycles in the 1860s. The motorcycle was displayed at fairs and circuses around the eastern U.S.. Europeans also had their hand in popularizing motorcycles and, during the World Wars, motorcycles functioned as a quick means of transportation.

As the motorcycle progressed, the engines and frames became bigger, sleeker, faster and more powerful, resulting in the high-tech and expensive motorcycles of today. If you can afford one, a custom motorcycle built to your exact specifications is within reach.

MV-Augusta F4CC – $120,000

This expensive motorcycle was created by Claudio Castiglioni, MV’s director. He wanted to create a spectacular motorcycle that met strategic marketing needs while also being something truly special and unique. The expensive motorcycle bearing his very own initials “CC” has a top speed of 315 kph (195 mph), 1078 cc’s and a 198 hp engine. Each bike boasts a platinum plate located near the top of the steering column showing the model number from 1 to 100, making this motorcycle all the more special to its owners.

MTT Turbine SuperBike – $150,000

Not only is this motorcycle expensive, it’s also extremely fast. This bike, also known as the Y2K Turbine Superbike, is the Guinness World Record holder for the “Most Powerful Motorcycle Ever to Enter Series Production”. The turbine engine in this one is made by Rolls Royce and is capable of over 300hp. The motorcycle also boasts carbon fiber fairings, a rear mounted camera with LCD color display, forward-and rear-looking radar detector with laser scrambler, one touch “Smart Start” ignition, and many other cool gadgets. This bike seams to be pretty popular in Hollywood. It starred in the movie “Torque” and even Jay Leno owns one!

Icon Sheene – $160,000

This bike was created by Andrew Morris in honor of legendary British Grand Prix motorcycle champion Barry Sheene, who died in 2003 at the age of 52. As such, only 52 of these 250 hp, turbocharged 1400cc motorcycles will be created, each emblazoned with a playing card hand-painted by the same artist who painted Sheene’s helmets, Mike Fairholme. Each of these bikes will be bespoke, tailored to fit the purchaser’s unique requirements.

Macchia Nera concept bike – $201,000

Built around a Ducati 998RS engine, this motorcycle’s Italian designers and engineers set out to create an extremely high tech and expensive motorcycle that would be thought of as “the ultimate track bike” that is “simply beautiful and beautifully simple”. The Testastretta engine is fitted with lightweight metals and alloys, like titanium and aluminum, making it very lightweight. The view from the side of the Macchia Nera shows exposed belts and engine components, giving its design a minimalist feel while still being aesthetically pleasing. We should add that this bike is a one of a kind and not in produced for retail at this point, but if you have an extra 150,000 Euros (US $201,000) laying around for an expensive toy, your dream might come true.

Ecosse Titanium Series RR Limited Edition – $275,000

This luxury motorbike features a titanium chassis with clear coated carbon fiber bodywork and wheels. It features a fuel injected, intercooled, supercharged 2,150cc billet motor and is capable of over 200 hp. Its saddle is ergonomic and adjustable. The bike also comes with a timepiece, designed by French watchmakers BRM, which is made to match the bike and is engraved with the same serial number as the handlebar clamp and VIN plate. This bike is limited to only 10 units.

Dodge Tomahawk V10 Superbike – $555,000

This reproduction of Dodge’s concept bike is considered an “automotive sculpture,” as it is not street legal in the US. Ten of these bikes were offered by Neiman Marcus in their 2003 Christmas Book. The Dodge Tomahawk V10 superbike boasts an 8.3 liter engine (505 cubic inch), and the 10 cylinders can bring the bike to a maximum speed of almost 400 mph. The 1500lb bike has an independent 4-wheel suspension and can reach 60 mph in around 2.5 seconds.

To a collector of model cars, a model of the Bugatti Veyron might be the centerpiece of their collection. It is, after all, the world’s most expensive car. Of course, for the truly dedicated—and well off—collector, the only option is the world’s most expensive model car.

The Bugatti Veyron Diamond Limited Edition, a collaboration between luxury designer Stuart Hughes and Swiss model car engineer Robert Gülpen, is a 1:18 scale replica of the ultimate luxury car, rendered in 24k gold, platinum and 7.2 carats of single cut flawless diamonds. The hoods and steering are functional and the engine is highly detailed. This fantastic model car weighs in at 15 pounds and took two months to produce.

Only three of the most expensive model car in the world have been created, each accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, glass house, aluminum case and photographic documentation of its manufacture. Even more phenomenal, the Bugatti Veyron Diamond Limited Edition costs twice as much as the car on which it is based—US $3 million.

Every once in awhile, a car enters the spotlight and becomes an instant classic. Years down the road, these cars demand hefty prices when sold at auction. These are the most expensive classic cars in the world.

1937 Bugatti Type 57S – $4.4 million

When relatives of the recently deceased and “eccentric” Dr. Harold Carr opened the garage he’d left to them in his will, they had no idea what to expect. Sure they’d heard that there might be a Bugatti in there, but that was just a bit of local legend. As it happened, there really was a Bugatti in there—and, when it went to auction at Bonham’s Retromobile car show in February of 2009, it sold for €3,417,500—around $4.4 million at the time.

This 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante was originally purchased by Earl Howe a month after it left the Bugatti works. Over the 8 years that he owned the car, Howe added new bumpers, a luggage rack and rearview mirrors. It was later brought up to SC specification with the addition of a Marshall K200 supercharger by its next owner, J P Tingay. Eventually, the car found its way into the hands of Lord Ridley, who held it for a year before selling it to Dr. Carr. Combine this pedigree with the fact that only seventeen Type 57S’s—a version of the Type 57 modified specifically for competitions—were produced and you have quite an expensive car.

007 Aston Martin DB5 – $5-$10 million

An unusual addition to our list of the world’s most expensive classic cars, this 1964 Aston Martin DB5 has a few unique features and a unique pedigree—it’s one of two DB5s driven by legendary 007 actor Sean Connery in “Goldfinger,” complete with twin machineguns mounted behind its front turn signals.

Radio broadcaster Jerry Lee originally purchased the car from Aston Martin in 1969 for $12,000, after the car had appeared in both “Goldfinger” and “Thunderball” and had toured in a 007 promotional campaign. He has entered the car in “Automobiles of London,” where it will be auctioned on October 27th, 2010.

The other DB5 is believed to have been destroyed after its reported theft in 1997.
Aside from the (non-functional) machineguns, the car also features an ejector seat (also non-functional) and revolving number plates. These and other factory-installed gadgets are all in working order after a recomissioning program by RM Auto Restoration.

This spectacular piece of film and automotive history is expected to fetch between $5 and $10 million.

1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder – $10.8 million

Sold in May 2008 at the RM Auctions/Sotheby’s Ferrari Legend and Passion auction, this Ferrari 250 GT was owned by former Magnificent Seven star James Coburn for twenty-five years. During that time, Coburn would test his skills against fellow enthusiasts Steve McQueen and James Garner. In fact, one of the latest lines of Ferraris, also designed by Pininfarina, has been named “California” in honor of Coburn’s car.

1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa – $12.4 million

One of only twenty-two of its kind, chassis no. 0714TR features a distinctive pontoon-like design by Carrozzeria Scaglietti. The Ferrari 250 TR is famous for having won ten of the nineteen races in which they were driven between 1958 and 1961.

This particular TR won 4th place when driven by Piero Drogo in the 1000 km Buenos Aires in January of 1958. Drogo drove it one more time, in the Grand Prix of Cuba, before he sold it to American Alan Connell who drove it in nine races and spent most of that time in 1st or 2nd place in class. It featured in twelve more races between 1960 and 1963, making it one of the most raced Ferraris of all time.

It was sold at auction in Maranello, home of Carrozzeria Scaglietti and birthplace of the TR, for an impressive sum of €9,020,000.

1934 “Star of India” Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental – $13 million

Hans-Gunther Zach, owner of the Rolls-Royce museum in Germany, is selling off his entire collection–including the museum’s premiere acquisition, the Star of India.

This bespoke Rolls was one of 281 Continental Phantom II’s ever produced. Built for the Maharajah of Rajkot, one of its custom features is, among its 14 headlights, a pair that turns with the steering wheel. Also particular to the Star of India is its unique orange-over-aluminum color combination.

The Star of India was auctioned alongside twenty-four other rare Rolls-Royces and another three Bentleys. After the auction, it appeared for sale at $13 million, but the listing was later removed.

Peter D. Williamson Bugatti Type 57S Atlantic – $30-$40 million

If you thought the Bugatti Type 57S above was expensive, then check out this piece of phenomenal piece of Bugatti history. The Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic was based on the “Aérolithe” concept car. The Aérolithe’s Electron and Duralumin construction required external riveting, resulting in a distinctive seam not unlike a dorsal fin. Despite the Atlantic’s aluminum construction, which required no such riveting, the seam was retained.

Only four Type 57SC Atlantics were produced and only two have survived to this day. Fashion guru Ralph Lauren owns one while the other was owned by late Bugatti collector Dr. Peter Williamson. The Williamson Bugatti, chassis #57374, was the first Atlantic off the production line and was originally owned by Lord Victor Rothschild. While it was drastically modified by its second owner, Dr. Williamson restored it to its original specifications after acquiring it for $59,000 in 1971. After Williamson’s passing, it was sold to an undisclosed buyer, reportedly for a sum between $30 and $40 million.

All-terrain vehicles, also known as three- or four-wheelers and quad bikes, may not be entirely street legal in most states but they still find use in agriculture, competitions and off-road excursions.

The original ATV was a six-wheeled, amphibious vehicle called the Jiger, produced in 1961. It wasn’t until 1970 that the first three-wheeler was made by Honda. The vehicle gained popularity when it was featured in the James Bond Film, Diamonds Are Forever, and a number of television shows. In 1982, the four-wheeler was introduced by Suzuki in the form of their QuadRunner recreational vehicle.

The most expensive ATV in the world is the GG Quadster customizable four-wheeler. The 167 horsepower vehicle is powered by a 1,157 cc BMW engine and is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.5 seconds. The ATV’s chassis is constructed from billet aluminum, bringing its weight to a total of 825 lbs.

The most expensive ATV can be purchased for around $65,500, but options like additional storage, heated grips or a unique paint job will, of course, increase that price.

You’ve worked hard and finally managed to buy your dream car. There’s a problem, though—you can drive it to the office, but you can’t take it in with you. That’s where Beau Reid and Dynamic Innovations come in. With the most expensive briefcase in the world, you don’t have to leave your car in the parking lot.

Each of these carbon fiber briefcases is custom-made with the finest leather and paints to match your luxury car—and not just on the outside. Both the exterior and interior of this expensive briefcase are customized. From the looks of it, your briefcase can even be badged with your car’s brand insignia.

These luxury briefcases are priced at $15,000, but Reid hopes the price will drop as the product gains momentum.

Bugatti may have one over on Aston Martin as the Bugatti Veyron is the world’s most expensive car, but owners of the Aston Martin DBS and the Aston Martin Rapide will have the option to buy another top-priced item—the most expensive car key in the world.

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s AMVOX2 DBS and Rapide Transponders marry the cutting edge technology of the AMVOX2 Chronograph with the extravagance of Aston Martin automobiles. Already a collaboration between the two, the origin AMVOX2 Chronograph featured a groundbreaking vertical-trigger chronograph. The stopwatch function of the watch could be stopped, started and reset by pressing the watch’s crystal sapphire surface. In the AMVOX2 Transponders, however, that same surface controls the transponder that locks and unlocks an Aston Martin luxury car. Pressing both the open and close areas of the surface at the same time will even cause the headlamps to light up briefly, allowing the owner to find their car with ease.

This optional feature can be had for just over $34,000. Compared to the prices of the Rapide and DBS—$199,950 and $269,000, respectively—that doesn’t seem like so much.

Aston Martin Rapide

Extremely expensive sports utility vehicles are nothing new. Porsche and Hummer currently produce some of the world’s most expensive SUVs. An infatuation with high-priced gas-guzzlers has produced a market of jaw dropping SUVs that are sure to impress even the toughest critics.

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S – $112-150,000

This 520 horsepower beast is capable of handling even the most extreme conditions. The Cayenne Turbo S has a base MSRP of $112,000 and hit sales floors in 2003. But if you want it with all the amenities like colored Porsche crests on the wheels, the off-road tech package, and the 20-inch wheels and tires, you can expect a price tag of almost 150 grand! When off-road, the Cayenne Turbo S features a 2.4 inch suspension articulation for those pesky boulders or fallen trees as well as a unique “hill-descent mode” where the SUV can safely inch its way down a slippery slope at a set speed without assistance from the driver’s foot. This SUV will put your standard sports car to shame, running the coveted 0-60 miles per hour in an astounding 4.8 seconds.

Spyker D8 Peking-to-Paris – around $300,000

Originally called the D12, the Spyker D8 Peking-to-Paris SSUV was introduced in 2006 at the Geneva Motor Show. Some of the standard features of the Spyker SSUV include: fulltime four-wheel drive, four doors (suicide configuration), carbon-ceramic matrix brakes, and all aluminum construction. While it was originally intended to have a Audi W12 engine, it is now believed to be fitted with a V8 by an unknown American company—hence the change from “D12″ to “D8.”

“Warrior One” Hummer H1 – $1.25 million

On January 20th of 2007, CNN auctioned off a Hummer used by journalists that were covering the war in Iraq. Proceeds from the auction were donated to the Fisher House Foundation. Dave Liniger, a Vietnam veteran and the founder of Re/Max International Inc., purchased the most expensive SUV ever sold at auction, bidding $1 million for the Hummer. Another bidder, Dave Ressler, contributed an additional $250,000 to benefit the charity. The Hummer H1 was the world’s most expensive SUV until it ended production in 2006.

Dartz Prombron Monaco Red Diamond Edition – $1.5 million

Perfect for the urban warrior, this bulletproof SUV is an upgrade from the original 8.1 liter GM V8-powered Dartz Kombat T98. Debuting at the 2010 Top Marques Monaco show, the most expensive SUV in the world will feature ruby red matte paint, gold-plated bulletproof windows, 22″ Kremlin Red Star bulletproof wheels, tungsten exhaust and a coating of kevlar. The badges and dials are made with white gold, diamonds and rubies. It also features a special Vertu mobile phone with an “alert” button and a Rogue Acoustic Audio System. Best of all, the interior is lined with whale penis leather!

That is good, right?

The Trans-Siberian Railway, stretching across Russia from Moscow to Vladivostok, was originally approved by Czar Alexander II in the late 19th Century. Nowadays, it’s used for 30% of all Russian exports and a trip across the country can be made in as little as seven days. It’s also the route for the most expensive train ride in the world.

The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express was unveiled by Britain’s Prince Michael of Kent in April 2007. The train’s Gold Class cabins are equipped with LCD screens, power showers, underfloor heating and individual air conditioning while chefs in the restaurant cars prepare the finest local cuisine. The Golden Eagle takes wealthy tourists and other travelers almost 6,000 miles in 15 days, with frequent stops for day trips.

The world’s most expensive train ride costs $22,195 for a single room or $15,795 per person for a twin cabin.

The most expensive driver’s license in the world isn’t some revenue-generator for a local government. In fact, the license allows you to drive all over the world—as long as you’re driving in a Formula One Grand Prix.

The FIA Super License is issued only to holders of Grade A competition licenses—and even then only if the driver also happens to be the reigning champion in a lesser motorsport or just has an extremely good track record. Fewer than fifty drivers hold the Super License and the price is determined by how many World Championship points the driver has earned.

This year, the price of the world’s most expensive driver’s license is set to rise to €10,400 plus €2,100 per point—US $13,718 and $2,770 respectively. The rate hike means that Lewis Hamilton, last year’s World Championship winner with 98 points, will have to pay $285,189 to renew his Super License this year. A newcomer with no points, on the other hand, would only have to pay the $13,718 to get their license.

The long anticipated Corvette ZR1 may finally see the light of day in 2009. First unveiled at the 12 Hours of Sebring race in 2005, the car was supposedly the result of GM CEO Rick Wagoner wondering what his Chevrolet designers could do for $100,000. The answer, of course, is the most powerful and most expensive Corvette in the world.

Equipped with a new LS9 engine,a supercharged 6.2 liter V8 that produces 620 horsepower (100 hp per liter) and 6500 RPMs, this costly Corvette is reportedly capable of top speeds over 200 mph and experts guess it will be able to do 0-60 in around 3.0 seconds. That’s .6 seconds faster than the Z06. It also features a number of carbon-fiber body parts and adjustable suspension.

The Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z1 was formally announced in December 2007. The world’s most expensive Corvette still has a sticker price of $100,000 and, for anyone who wants to pimp out this luxury sports car, chrome wheels and premium interior options are available.

We’ve already told you about the world’s most expensive bicycle, but what if you’re only in the market for wheels? Well, you’re covered as well now that Lew Racing has produced the world’s most expensive bicycle wheels.

Lew Racing proudly trumpets their Pro VT-1 as “the strongest 880 gram wheel set in the world PERIOD.” The laminate is created through a born and carbon combination process called DEX-LCM, developed by Lew Aerospace for the Department of Defense. Even the spokes are aerodynamic, using a NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) airfoil design. Despite weighing only 3 grams apiece, the Pro VT-1’s spokes are actually stronger than those of a normal bicycle wheel.

An 8-spoke version of the VT-1 was ridden to 4th place by French cyclist Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli in the 2008 Olympics. While this set could only support a rider up to 165 lbs, a standard set of Pro VT-1 wheels can support up to 185 lbs.

The world’s most expensive bicycle wheels can be purchased for $5,495. The wheels can be customized, however, up to $15,292. Options include the ability to support up to 500 lbs and an extended 4 year warranty.

Are you a Ferrari enthusiast? Do you think your kid should get an early start on his or her own addiction to luxury sports cars? Well, you’re in luck. FAO Schwarz and Neiman Marcus had someone just like you in mind when they sold the most expensive go-kart in the world.

This stunningly accurate replica of the Ferrari Testarossa is nine feet long and hand-built. It features a 5hp Briggs & Stratton engine, an automatic transmission with two speeds and reverse and an electronic ignition. The kart weighs 615 lb and is capable of speeds up to 30 miles per hour.

The luxury go-kart also includes a functional CD player, retractable headlights and all the other lights and signals of a real Testarossa. It’s pimped out with adjustable seats and leather upholstery. The steering wheel even features a working horn because, hey, every parent loves toys that make noise.

At $50,000, the world’s most expensive go-kart is priced perfectly for the financially savvy child, whether they want to drive it alone or get together with some friends and practice for a future career as Nick Hogan’s cellmate.

Anyone who’s ever read anything about US military spending shouldn’t be surprised that the world’s most expensive aircraft was a Department of Defense project.

Created as part of a secret project in the 1980s, the expensive plane is a design executed with the Soviet Union in mind. The Northrop Grumman ATB (Advanced Technology Bomber) was designated the B-2 Spirit after it was chosen over a Lockheed/Rockwell design in 1981. The stealthy bomber was meant to be able to penetrate even the most impregnable anti-aircraft defenses.

The project didn’t turn out quite as expected, though. A redesign from high-altitude to low-altitude mission profile added two years and $1 billion to the project’s cost, bringing the total expenditure up to a reported $23 billion. Furthermore, the dissolution of the Soviet Union resulted in the production being limited to 20 planes—21 if you count an upgraded test bomber.

Reports on the cost of a single B-2 bomber vary from $737 million to $2.2 billion, but the most often cited figure for the most expensive aircraft in the world is $1.3 billion.

Car insurance can be an expensive prospect for automobile owners. If you think you’re paying too much, though, maybe you should compare your insurance rates to those of the most expensive car insurance in the world.

In 2005, New Jersey had the most expensive auto insurance in the nation. The average insurance expenditure, at the time, was $1,184. Considering that this was actually 3.1% less than the average expenditure in 2004, New Jersey residents may have been happy to pay the country’s most expensive premiums.

In second place, DC was only $2 behind New Jersey at $1,182. New York took third place with a $1,122 average.

Dodge Ram

Of course, the amount you pay for insurance depends substantially on the vehicle you’re insuring. If you plan to own a Dodge Ram pickup truck, for instance, you can expect a hole in your wallet just as big as your vehicle. Owners pay an average premium of $1,336 for insurance. The high insurance payments on these trucks are due to the fact that they are, apparently, prone to both property damage and bodily injury.

The most expensive auto insurance in the world, though, comes from former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair’s old neighborhood. Islington, a north London neighborhood, may have a few wealthy areas but it also has a car theft rate two and a half times England’s national average. This accounts for a phenomenal average premium of £745/month. In the US, that would be nearly $1,500!

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(Image via The German Car Blog.)

One of the world’s most prestigious car auctions has produced some very impressive figures this year. Part of the famed Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance, Gooding & Company’s auction has set several world records since its inception in 1990. Now it has hosted the auction of the most expensive car ever sold in the US.

The Concourse d’Elegance was started in 1950 and has since become the world’s premier auto show. Other events include the Tour d’Elegance—a “driving event,” not a race—and an exhibition by the Automotive Fine Arts Society. Of course, the main event is the Concourse d’Elegance itself, in which the best cars in the world are judged for historical accuracy, technical merit and style.

The auction, which follows the main event, was expanded this year to two days. The final tally added up to $64.2 million–$4.2 million more than last year’s auction. Among the expensive autos sold at this exclusive auction were a collection of twelve Bugatti cars sold for $15 million, a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB “California” Spider for $3.63 million and three cars from Oprah Winfrey’s personal collection for $716,000.

Then, of course, there’s the most expensive car in the world. A 1937 Bugatti Type 37SC Atalante Coupe, the production year marks it as one of the original cars produced under the Bugatti name. The original company was founded in 1909 and closed its doors in 1963, sold for its production of airplane parts rather than automobiles. The Bugatti name was eventually reunited with the automobile industry, however, and now graces a limited line of luxury autos from Volkswagen AG.

The most expensive car ever sold in the US was auctioned for $7.92 million. It wasn’t the most expensive car in the world, however. That honor belongs to a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder sold for $10.9 million.

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Talal Khouri, a Dubai-based stockbroker, made history recently when he became the owner of the world’s most expensive license plate. He won the expensive license plate after placing the winning bid during an auction to benefit individuals with special needs. Oddly, the expensive license plate displayed the number five. You would think the most expensive license plate in the world would at least read ‘1’ or maybe something clever alluding to the owner’s wealth.

Well, now it does.

Saeed Khouri, a businessman from a wealthy Abu Dhabi family, recently purchased a license plate emblazoned with the number one from an auction that sold around ninety other vanity plates. The auction brought in $24 million which, ironically enough, will benefit a rehabilitation center for victims of traffic accidents. $14 million of that came from the sale of the ‘1’ plate.

Comparatively, only $6.2 million was paid for the ‘5’ plate. That price was almost ten times as much as the former most expensive license plate, ‘M1’, which fetched about $660,000 in Yorkshire, Northern England.

Reporters asked Talal Khouri if the number ’5′ had any special or sentimental meaning to him. “The number does not mean anything to me. I will keep it and after my death it will be re-auctioned and probably raise more money that will again be given to charity and humanitarian work,” he added.

The owner of the current most expensive license plate, on the other hand, was not so humble. He reportedly said of the purchase, “I bought it because it’s the best number. I bought it because I want to be the best in the world.”

Unlike standard license plates in the UAE, these vanity plates include only a single Western digit and no Arabic letters or numerals.

Most Expensive License Plates in the US

The world’s most expensive license plates may have been issued in Abu Dhabi, but that doesn’t mean they get to have all the fun. While the UAE’s wealthy seek the prestige of affixing a license plate with a low number to the back of a luxury auto, the most expensive license plates in the United States are more likely to end up in the collections of license plate enthusiasts.

License plate collectors in the US are similar to stamp and coin collectors in that they’re interested not in how fashionable a plate will look on their car but rather in the scarcity and history of a plate. For example, Mississippi’s oldest license plates come from 1912—a time when that state was the poorest in the nation. Now, a 1912 Mississippi license plate is the third most expensive in the US at $35,000. Strangely enough, there are more surviving 1912 plates than 1913 plates. That’s why the second most expensive plate is a 1913 Mississippi plate that sold for $50,000.

The most expensive license plate in the US is one of only four 1921 Alaska plates known to have survived since the time before the territory was officially a state. The plate’s rarity can be attributed to the fact that, in those days, Alaska just didn’t have the roads to support a lot of cars and even getting the auto to Alaska was an expensive undertaking. This particular license plate was sold in 2000 in a Wendy’s parking lot in Maine for the hefty sum of $60,000.

Audi’s Auto Union Type C pedal car just took a back seat as Hot Wheels unveiled the world’s most expensive toy car. What makes this car more expensive than any other toy car? Well, it could be all the diamonds.

To commemorate their 40th anniversary, as well as their 4 billionth car, Hot Wheels commissioned jeweler Jason of Beverly Hills to coat an 18k white gold casting of their Custom Otto with over 2,700 blue, white and black diamonds. While even the tires are set with them, diamonds aren’t the only precious stone used in the costly 1:64 scale car. Its tail lights are actually rubies.

Underneath the hood of the car, the familiar Hot Wheels logo is also given the diamond treatment.

The most expensive toy car in the world is valued at $140,000. 98 Degrees’ Nick Lachey had the privilege of not only unveiling the car, but also choosing which charity the car’s sale would benefit. The actor/singer chose Big Brother Big Sister and the auction will happen later this year.

While the world’s most expensive toy car is worth ten times as much as the previously mentioned Type C, that car may still be the world’s most expensive pedal car. Built at a 1:2 scale, the car can accommodate a driver up to just under four and a half feet tall. It was made to commemorate the Type C car that dominated auto racing back in 1936, when Audi was known as Auto Union. Like a full-sized Audi race car, the space frame and body are made from aluminum paneling. It also features a hydraulic dual-disc brake, seven-speed hub gear and leather upholstery.

The expensive pedal car was unveiled to a rapt audience at the Paris Motor Show in 2006 and had a limited run of 999 models.

In 2006, Royal Caribbean International embarked on an ambitious project called Project Genesis. Their mission was to build the world’s largest cruise ship. Scheduled to sail in fall of 2009, Project Genesis isn’t just the largest ship. It’s also the most expensive cruise ship in the world.

(via True Cruise)

Project Genesis isn’t Royal Caribbean International’s first enormous cruise ship. Their last endeavor, Freedom of the Seas, also broke records with its ability to carry over 4,000 passengers and its weight in excess of 150,000 tons.

Project Genesis will, of course, break both records. The 1,180 foot long ship will weigh 220,000 tons and carry a maximum of 6,400 passengers and 2,100 crew members. The ship is so big, in fact, that it will have a common area, as large as a football field, called Central Park. Central Park’s piazza will even host street performers and live concerts. Additionally, the park will be surrounded by a variety of restaurants, including fine dining at 150 Central Park, Italian cuisine at Giovanni’s Table and steakhouse fare at Royal Caribbean’s own Chops Grille.

The ship will also include a number of bars ranging from wine bars to the impressive Rising Tide bar—an engineering marvel that actually moves through three decks from Central Park to the public spaces below.

Norway’s Aker Yards is handling the construction of the ship. Their price for building the most expensive cruise ship in the world: $1.24 billion!

Calling them airports is an understatement. With over fifteen miles of aviation-related commercial properties surrounding some of the largest airfields, these massive urban sprawls are more properly known as aerotropolises. For simplicity’s sake, though, we’ll just call them the world’s most expensive airports.

Currently, the most expensive airport is Hong Kong International Airport, located on Chek Lap Kok island in (surprisingly enough) Hong Kong. With over 47 million passengers in 2007, HKIA is also one of the world’s busiest airports. Passengers may fly in or out via a number of airlines, including Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Express, Air Hong Kong and many others with “Hong Kong” in their names. For its $20 billion construction, the airport was awarded a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Unfortunately for HKIA, it will soon lose that place.

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the new record-breaking aerotropolis is being constructed in Dubai. Dubai World Central International, being constructed south of Dubai near Jebel Ali, will cost $33 billion for its infrastructure alone. The plans call for an airfield that can accommodate the latest superjumbo jets, hotels, shopping malls, two 18-hole golf courses and a residential city that can house 750,000 people. Of course, this sort of project takes a lot of time to complete and DWC is no exception. It isn’t expected to be operational until 2017. By that time, yet another record-breaking airport project may be started.

Other aerotropolises include Brisbane Airport in Australia, Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Incheon International Airport in South Korea, Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia and at least five within the continental United States.