Two rare Ferrari 250 GTOs sell for record total of US$130 million
A 1963 version, one of only 36 of Italian cars to be made, bought privately for up to US$80 million while ’62 model changes hands for US$48.4 million at auction
The Ferrari 250 GTO is widely regarded as the most desirable classic car – regularly commanding the highest prices of any cars sold.
With only 36 ever built, it is rare to learn of one of them changing hands.
However, this year not one but two of these insanely precious pieces of automotive history were sold – both setting records for the prices paid.
In June the German racing car driver Christian Glaesel sold his 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO with the chassis 4153, reportedly for between US$70 million and US$80 million, in a private sale to avid Ferrari collector David MacNeil, the founder of the WeatherTech car floor mats company.
Last Saturday the renowned car collector Greg Whitten’s fabled 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO was sold for a record US$48.4 million – the most expensive car ever sold at an auction.
The Ferrari with the chassis 3413 GT that went under the hammer at the RM Sotheby’s auction in Monterey, California, was the third of the 36 GTOs to be built and might be the most successful of the GTOs that were driven in competition.
This particular car won nine races in 1962 while owned by the renowned Ferrari collector Edoardo Lualdi Gabardi.