Speed, power, prestige and exclusivity define some of the fastest cars in the world. A force of nature, these luxury automobiles are unapologetically proud in their prowess, panache and mechanical mastery. They each tell a story – whether it is of racing heritage, royalty, or resplendent aesthetics – and continue to enrapture both automotive enthusiasts and casual drivers the world over.
Below we profile some of the fastest cars in the world that are taking pride of place at the upcoming RM Sotheby’s auction in Milan this May.
An Impressive Lineup
With a spectacular lineup, each consignment in the Milan sale brings to light cars that blend pedigree with presence and excel in every aspect of the driving experience.
Normally serving as a venue for fashion houses like Valentino and Gucci, Milan is prepping to welcome a different kind of show this May: one that roars with speed and exemplary performance in the automotive hierarchy.
1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV by Bertone
Offered without reserve, this Lamborghini Miura P400 SV sits among the finest of the 150 examples of the Miura P400 SV, presented in its factory colour combination of Rosso Corsa over Bleu. It has retained its matching-numbers 3.9-litre transverse V-12 engine and won “Best Lamborghini” at Concorso Italiano’s Miura 50th Anniversary celebration. Such prestigious recognition is testament to the car’s innate quality, having required a full restoration to head the competition. The model featured at the Milan auction is accompanied by its books, tool roll, spare wheel, and fitted luggage set, and is expected to fetch a price in excess of €3,200,000.
Before the Lamborghini Miura, the AC Cobra 427 held the title of the world’s fastest car, but the Miura rewrote the rules, mixing speed with futuristic beauty, culminating in a new standard of what a supercar could be. This particular model’s life remains largely undocumented, though it first surfaced in California during the '80s. By the 1990s, it had returned to Europe and in 2003, it was acquired by a private museum collection in Portugal.
Sold again in 2012, the Miura crossed the Atlantic once more, to the United States, where it received a meticulous makeover: a new coat of Rosso Corsa, a reupholstered interior in Bleu leather using original material, and significant mechanical attention, including rebuilt brakes, front suspension, and instruments. The hydraulic system was comprehensively overhauled, and a new aluminium fuel tank fitted. Now presented in its correct factory colours, this rare split-sump, air-conditioned P400 SV is one of the most desirable examples of the Miura lineage.
1989 Ferrari F40
Famously the final design to be signed off by Enzo Ferrari, the F40 was awarded Ferrari Classiche certification in April 2022. This present model was completed on 27 July 1989, having been built to European specifications, as a “non-cat, non-adjust” configuration. The car will be offered with its famous “Red Book”, and its odometer indicates it was sparingly used during its early life – the last reading displayed 17,300 kilometres at the time of cataloguing.
The Ferrari landed in the UK in 1997, where it remained for over twenty years, followed by a trip back to its homeland in 2021, for a full rotisserie restoration, carried out just steps from the Ferrari factory. This F40 is offered with its original exhaust and harnesses (currently fitted with a Tubi-style system), tool roll, Agip tyre sealant kit, and a detailed history file prepared by Ferrari authority Marcel Massini. Maintenance was previously handled by Ferrari dealer Motor Service of Modena and Graypaul Motors in the UK.
With an estimated fetching price of €2,800,000, the F40 symbolises legacy and calibre, and is regarded as one of Ferrari’s purest and most celebrated designs, and a highlight among any curated car collection.
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Offered from a distinguished private collection, the 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing is a definite standout among 20th-century cars. Estimated to fetch €2,100,000, it has remained under single ownership since 1988. Beneath the bonnet lies an uprated NSL-specification engine, complemented by sought-after Rudge wheels. The car retains its matching-numbers body, chassis, and engine, which is an increasingly rare combination. A nut-and-bolt restoration was carried out by Scott Grundfor Company, and the car is offered at the auction with a copy of its original Mercedes-Benz Data Card.
The 300 SL’s roots lie in Mercedes’ triumphant 1952 race car, which claimed glory at Le Mans, the Carrera Panamericana, and the Nürburgring. Its lightweight spaceframe chassis and upward-opening “gullwing” doors remain engineering icons. Capable of 260 km/h, this aerodynamic masterpiece remains as arresting now as it was then – an enduring symbol of mid-century performance and design excellence.
1987 Porsche 959 'Speedster'
The 1987 Porsche 959 ‘Speedster’ is a one-of-a-kind creation by Karl-Heinz Feustel. Originally finished in Silver Metallic with a striking two-tone Cashmere Beige and Black leather interior, the car left the Stuttgart factory on 6 November 1987 as a 959 ‘Komfort’.
Feustel’s Speedster conversion made its public debut on the Auto Becker stand at the 1989 Frankfurt International Motor Show, followed by a showing at the Essen Motor Show later that year. With a $1,200,000 price tag at the time, the car was reportedly first sold to Jürgen Lässig, winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona and runner-up at Le Mans. Coming from long-term ownership, this 959 has been part of the consignor’s collection since 2008 and benefited from a recent service in March 2025 by Porsche specialists ADR Motorsport. Included in the sale are a colour-matched hardtop in a dedicated transport case, a tonneau top, spare ‘Speedster’ windscreen and mirrors, and original owner’s manuals.
The only example of its kind, this singular Porsche 959 is expected to sell at €1,500,000, a rare chance to own a piece of automotive history.
1994 Jaguar XJ220
According to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate, chassis number 220773 was dispatched from the factory in June 1993 and finished in the striking Le Mans Blue paint over a Smoke Grey leather interior. Offered in immaculate condition and estimated to fetch €450,000, this XJ220 Jaguar is presented with the attention it deserves – as an icon of British engineering. In 2015 and 2016, the vehicle received a significant mechanical refresh with work that included a partial rebuild of its twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6, along with careful assessment of the brakes, clutch, and steering. A new fuel tank was installed and the driver's seat reupholstered.
Further specialist attention followed in 2018, with a full engine rebuild to original factory specification. It is important to note that the car retains its matching-numbers engine and has been carefully maintained over the past decade. In 2020, Autohaus Konrad Schmidt fitted a custom muffler and carried out repairs to the air conditioning, followed by yet another major service in April 2024 with the installation of a new clutch and belts.
Final Note
Exuding power, sophistication, and sheer excellence, these cars are unmatched in their performance and singular in their aesthetics, deservedly carving a niche for themselves in the automobile landscape. The models on display at the upcoming Milan auction bear the markers of all things desirable, making them household names and aspirational entities for collectors and motor enthusiasts.
