The last time we met this 1-of-1 2006 Pagani Zonda Riviera, reimagined through the marque’s exclusive Unico customization program, it was because it was rumoured to have been sold for double what it had been bought for in 2019. As it turns out, that private sale didn’t materialize, but the car still has a crowning achievement to its name: it’s just been sold at RM Sotheby’s for $10.13 million, having covered less than a mile since it last popped up for sale.
This particular chassis left the factory in 2006 as a standard Zonda F, reportedly delivered to a millionaire Saudi collector. A few years later, it was sent back to Pagani for a full customization job at the hands of Unico craftsmen, resulting in the world’s only Pagani Zonda Riviera, a 760 with a bunch of tasteful mods including a roof-mounted air scoop, 760 rear wing, pearl white exterior, and blue accents throughout the car.
Every element was customized through Pagani’s bespoke workshop, making this truly a one-of-one creation. Output from the sonorous 7.3-liter naturally-aspirated V12 was pumped up to 750 horsepower, with a 7-speed sequential gearbox handling shifts. Not that the mechanical specs seemed to have mattered much to its five separate owners over the years.
When the Riviera first emerged in 2017, post its Unico rebirth, it had 563 miles on the odometer. In 2019, it became the first Zonda to trade hands through public auction, for a reported $5.88 million to a Saudi prince. By early 2025, it showed 564 miles. The car essentially sat untouched, preserved like a museum exhibit while its value climbed steadily.
The auction took place during Sotheby’s Collectors’ Week in Abu Dhabi, where the Riviera shared space with other automotive legends and luxury items, including multimillion-dollar diamonds. The timing proved perfect. Recent Zonda sales had set the stage, with models like the LM Roadster exceeding $11 million in 2024. Collectors knew the Riviera had similar potential.
When the hammer finally fell at $10.13 million, the result confirmed what many suspected. The Pagani Zonda has transcended its role as simply a supercar. It’s become a verified investment vehicle where the right example can generate returns that rival traditional financial markets. For the previous owner, doing nothing except careful storage resulted in a profit exceeding $4 million. Not bad for six years of patience.
