by Unconventional Lots Dominate
The auction site Bring a Trailer, which has become a primary platform for selling exclusive cars, was once known first and foremost for rare, classic, and unusual enthusiast vehicles. However, last year, the most popular item on the platform was not a car in the conventional sense, nor even a motorcycle. It was a Leyland FV4201 Chieftain, a main battle tank. The auction in late November, ranked by the number of views, comments, and bids, gathered nearly 160,000 views and 423 comments before being sold for $107,000.
The FV4201 Chieftain was primarily used by the United Kingdom from the late 1960s to the 1990s. This example was painted in olive-gray and black, had a functional rotating turret, a 120mm gun, and a fully equipped four-person crew cabin. Of course, the tank cannot be used on public roads, but someone was clearly happy to spend a considerable sum on it.
Tanks and Popularity Records
This case was not a one-time internet craze. The second most-viewed auction on Bring a Trailer in 2025 was also a tank, this time a 1962 Centurion MK 13. It was sold for $130,000 to popular YouTuber Westen Champlin, who owns a large property where he can operate this machine.
Automotive Auction Favorites
As for cars, the Bring a Trailer audience clearly has a soft spot for low-mileage Acuras and Porsches restored by Singer. The third most popular was the auction of a silver Singer DLS, which sold for $3 million with just 18 miles on the odometer.
A 2001 Acura Integra Type R proved just as capable of sparking discussion, generating 554 comments before selling for an impressive $204,204. Another Singer DLS, this time in blue, secured the fifth spot by view count.
Absolute Price Records
When it comes to absolute price records, the biggest deal of the year was a 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari sold for $4,475,000. It beat out a 2022 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport for $4 million and a 2019 Chiron Sport for $3,185,333.
The top 5 by price was closed by a 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder with the Weissach package, sold for $3,112,000. In total, 48 cars crossed the million-dollar mark during the year.
A Record Year for the Platform
2025 was a record year not only thanks to high-profile lots but overall for the platform. Bring a Trailer sold cars, motorcycles, parts, and memorabilia for over $1.7 billion, marking the fourth consecutive year the billion-dollar mark was surpassed.
The popularity of military equipment among collectors may seem surprising, but it clearly fits into the site’s overall trend towards unique and emotional lots. The success of tanks, along with the consistently high demand for meticulously restored classic cars and modern hypercars, demonstrates the expansion of the collectible vehicle market. This indicates that value for buyers is increasingly determined not only by brand or technical specifications but also by history, exclusivity, and the opportunity to stand out. The platform’s phenomenal sales volumes confirm that the market for collectible cars and unusual vehicles remains extremely viable even in conditions of economic uncertainty.
