After the recent $92 million dollar sale, who knows where the hammer will fall on this one
The fabled Ferrari 250 GTO recently further cemented its claim as “the world’s most expensive car” with the latest sale of chassis 4153GT selling privately for the sum of almost AUD$92 million!
Though we may see that record broken yet again as August’s Monterey auction by RM Sotheby’s shall see another 250 GTO across the auction block.
This 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO is chassis 3413GT, and was originally the third series I car of a total production pool of just 36 examples.
Under Ferrari factory use, the car was utilised as the 1962 Targa Florio test car, driven by Phil Hill.
The car was initially sold to famed Ferrari privateer customer, Edoardo Lualdi-Gabardi, who entered the GTO in ten races that year, and won nine of them.
When Lualdi-Gabardi took ownership of a second 250 GTO, chassis 3413 was sold to former racing driver Gianni Bulgari. Under the ownership of Bulgari and its subsequent owner, Corrado Ferlaino, the GTO won its class in the 1963 and 1964 Targa Florio.
In those few years, the GTO took part in 20 races, and never posted a DNF nor was involved in an accident (a fate that commonly befell 250 GTOs given their extensive racing participation).
The car still retains its original engine, gearbox and rear axle. In 1964, the car was sent back to Scaglietti to receive the updated, and more aerodynamic Series II body – which it still holds today.
Since the 60s, the car has passed through various high-profile owners, and has been under the current custodianship of former Microsoft chief Software Architect, Dr. Greg Whitten.
Over the past two decades, the car has participated in various vintage motoring events around the world. The cars has also participated in four of the mythical GTO Anniversary tours, taking place every five years, and is only open to current Ferrari 250 GTO owners.
The last 250 GTO to appear at auction was chassis 3851GT, which was sold by Bonhams four years ago for the pricely sum of AUD$46.75 million, the most expensive car ever auctioned.
RM Sotheby’s project this one to fetch “in excess of [AUD$60 million]”, and given its unique original condition and the recent fanfare over the AUD$92 million private sale, chassis 3413GT is expected to break the previous auction record set in 2014.
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