As you may guess, the 250 GTO is one of, in not the, most desirable car amongst classic collectors in the current market, and this example ticks all of the boxes. The auctioneer, RM Sotheby’s, estimates a final price ‘in excess of’ $45 million (circa £34.2m).
What makes this one so special? Built in 1962, it’s the third example of the car in an extremely low volume run of just 36 units, which alone would make it worth quite something.
On top of that though, it boasts a seriously impressive racing pedigree. Starting life as a Ferrari test car with a Series I body, it was soon sold to Edoardo Lualdi-Gabardi — an Italian gentleman racer. He entered the car in ten events during 1962, winning all but one – although he did place second in class for that.
Then, under the ownership of Gianni Bulgari, this 250 GTO won its class at the Targa Florio race in 1963 and 1964. Soon after, it was rebodied by legendary coachbuilder Carrozzeria Scaglietti using a Ferrari factory-sourced Series II body.
Despite having raced over 20 times in-period, the car has never been involved in an accident and even more remarkably, still has its original rear axle, 3.0-litre V12 engine and OTS gearbox.
This Ferrari 250 GTO will go under the hammer on the weekend of 24-25 August at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction in California.
