This is the most expensive car to ever go to auction

By Marc McLaren
News
 | 20 Jun 2018
This is the most expensive car to ever go to auction

One of the finest examples of the revered Ferrari 250GTO is to be auctioned by RM Sotheby's for a world-record $45 million (£34m).

It's only a few weeks since a 250GTO sold for $70m (£52m) to a private collector, but this example is officially the most expensive ever to be offered at auction.

Chassis 3413 was used by Formula 1 World Champion Phil Hill in testing for the 1962 Targa Florio and also enjoyed a successful career under a succession of private owners. It will now be the headline lot at RM Sotheby's Monterey auction on 24-25 August.

This is the most expensive car to ever go to auction

Following its time with Ferrari, this 250GTO was sold to the privateer Edoardo Lualdi-Gabardi. And in his hands it performed incredibly, winning nine out of 10 races in the 1962 Italian National GT Championship and securing him the title.

It next passed on to another driver, Gianni Bugari, who drove it to a first-in-class finish at the 1963 Targa Florio – a feat repeated by its next owner, Corrado Ferlaino, the following year. In all, it competed in 20 races in period and was never once involved in an accident or failed to finish.

Not only did this car enjoy a successful racing career, but it's also in superb shape: it retains its original engine, gearbox and rear axle, as well as its factory Series II body, in which it was clothed by Carrozzeria Scaglietti in 1964.

In 2000, it was acquired by its current owner Dr Greg Whitten, a former bigwig at Microsoft, who has raced it in vintage events worldwide. 

This is the most expensive car to ever go to auction

This is the most expensive car to ever go to auction
This is the most expensive car to ever go to auction

The 250GTO is considered by many to be the 'Holy Grail' of car collectors. Only 36 were made, and although all have survived, they are for various reasons incredibly highly sought after.

“We are thrilled at the rare opportunity to offer a legendary Ferrari 250GTO at auction,” said Shelby Myers, Car Specialist at RM Sotheby’s.

“Due to the evolution of technology and safety regulations that followed, the GTO was essentially the final true road racer, marking the end of an era when drivers really got their hands dirty.

"This was the last car that you could park in your garage, drive to the track, win the race, and then drive home.”

RM Sotheby's Monterey auction takes place on 24 and 25 August, to coincide with the Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance. We'll have much more on it over the next few weeks.

 

READ MORE

This Ferrari 250GTO is now the most expensive car ever

For sale: ultra-rare McLaren F1 with Le Mans-spec engine

10 stunning cars for sale at Artcurial's Le Mans Classic auction