14-11-2023 (NEW YORK) A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO sports car achieved a staggering sale of US$51.7 million in New York on Monday, firmly securing its position as the second most expensive car ever sold at auction, as declared by Sotheby’s.
With a previous owner, an American collector, for an impressive 38 years, the vibrant red roadster’s auction price trailed behind only a Mercedes 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, which garnered 135 million euros in 2022, translating to US$144 million at the current exchange rate, according to statements from the auction house.
The 250 GTO went through the bidding process in the auction room, although the final price fell short of RM Sotheby’s initial expectations of surpassing US$60 million.
Sotheby’s chose to keep the identity of the winning bidder undisclosed.
Hailing from 1962, this iconic Scuderia sports car, known by its chassis number 3765 and equipped with a four-litre engine generating 390 horsepower, notably secured second place in a 1,000 km endurance race at the Nurburgring circuit in Germany. It replicated a similar ranking in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the team had to withdraw due to engine failure, according to records from RM Sotheby’s.
Following years of competitive racing in Italy and Sicily, the car transitioned hands and was exported to the US in the late 1960s. Undergoing restoration and modifications, the 250 GTO traversed among various American owners before landing in the possession of an Ohio collector in 1985, who eventually facilitated its sale on Monday.
Sotheby’s remarked, “This stunning GTO offers its next caretaker further touring and vintage racing enjoyment, or display at major concours d’elegance and marque gatherings worldwide.”
The Mercedes 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, securing 135 million euros in 2022, was one of only two examples of the sports car. It was discreetly auctioned at the German manufacturer’s museum in Stuttgart and holds the prestigious title of being the most expensive car ever sold globally, whether through auction or private transactions, as stated by a spokesperson from RM Sotheby’s.
