Aston Martin Valkyrie Owner Spent $314,000 On Options, But May Still Lose Millions

Aston Martin built only 150 Valkyrie Coupes, and getting one new meant having millions to spare. Now, one of these road-going machines is heading to auction with an estimate that could leave its original owner wishing they'd kept the receipt.

Developed with Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey, the Valkyrie was never meant to be an ordinary supercar. But even a car with this kind of pedigree can lose value, as an upcoming RM Sotheby's sale is about to show.

Delivered new to Japan in 2023, this example is number 81 of the production run. Its Zenith White paintwork keeps things relatively simple, although the options list tells a different story. The owner chose blue-tinted satin carbon fiber, Midnight Blue Gloss accents on the engine cover and roof scoop, and matte black magnesium wheels. Those wheels cost £40,000 ($53,500). That's enough to buy a decent used car.

The cabin gets black and blue Alcantara seats with silver stitching, matching the exterior details. Aston Martin's Q customization department supplied a long list of extras worth almost £235,000 ($314,300). That came on top of the original £2.5 million ($3.34 million) price before taxes. 

Despite the hefty spending, RM Sotheby's estimates the Valkyrie will sell for between £1.8 million and £2.4 million. It has covered just 300 km (186 miles), so its naturally aspirated 6.5-liter Cosworth V12 has barely seen any action. The next owner could get an almost untouched example, although the seller may have to accept a substantial loss.

Ferrari collectors have enjoyed different results with certain limited-production models. The Daytona SP3 started at around $2.25 million, while one example sold for $17.825 million at auction. The Valkyrie hasn't reached those heights. Last year, another example with purple carbon fiber and 24-carat gold leaf sold for £2.22 million, despite costing its owner more than £3 million. For collectors, the lesson is simple: a rare badge and a spectacular engine don't automatically make a car a sound investment.