Ferrari 250 GTO sells for almost $92 million – sets new record

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 04.06.2018

Ferrari 250 GTO sells for almost $92 million – sets new record

Ferrari 250 GTO sells for almost $92 million – sets new record

The recent sale of a Ferrari GTO with a great race history has set a new benchmark.

The Ferrari 250 GTO is seemingly synonymous with the "world’s most expensive car" record, and is backed by plenty of eye-watering sales. The most recent however has set a new benchmark at nearly Au$92 million.

In 2013, chassis ‘5111GT’ formerly owned by Stirling Moss sold for around AUD$55 million in a private sale and was – at the time – the single most expensive car ever sold.

During the following year’s Monterey Car Week, Bonhams brought down the hammer for another 250 GTO for around AU$50 million.

Furthermore, in late 2016, UK-based Ferrari broker Talacrest offered the second Ferrari GTO (serial number #3387GT) ever made for a whopping Au$75 million.

The Ferrari 250 GTO’s stratospheric rise in price is caused by a perfect storm within the collector world. Just 39 were made, so they’re an extremely rare car; This example has all of the provenance and racing history you could want. They also rarely change hands, and subsequently - on the occasion one does come up for sale – bidding wars often ensue from multiple interested parties, pushing the ultimate selling price even higher.

Which brings us to the latest sale, a 1963 250 GTO, serial number 4153GT. It sold a few days ago to David MacNeil, owner of WeatherTech – a manufacturer of aftermarket floormats.

It rolled off of the production line on June 2, 1963, finished in silver with a horizontal yellow bonnet stripe (more recently the car has been seen bearing a vertical tricolore stripe).

The car boasts various motorsport appearances, beginning with the 1963 Le Mans 24-Hour, where it finished fourth overall and second in the GT3 class. It was steered by its first owner, Pierre Dumay, and has been owned by numerous European racing drivers since.

The GTO has raced in the 500km of Spa, the 1000km Nurburgring, and various Tour de France rallies (winning the event in 1964).

Its last major outing was at the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed, and has won Best in Class at numerous Concours d’Elegance events.

Ferrari historian Marcel Massini has confirmed the sale, and believes that another 250 GTO will break the $100 million barrier within the next 5 years, as increased demand further pushes the price ceiling higher.

GTOs are now so valuable that a cottage industry has sprung up, building reproductions just like the car shown here.

Unique Cars magazine Value Guides

Sell your car for free right here