RM Sotheby’s is one of the worlds most – if not the most – prestigious auction houses on the planet. Its events always gather great excitement among automotive fans, especially collectors, and when paired with the legendary Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, there is sure to be some incredible sights to see.
This year, the event will be held August 24th and 25th in Monterey, California, and will spotlight what many people refer to as the “ultimate collector car,” the Ferrari 250 GTO.
Back in its day, not only was the ’62 Ferrari 250 GTO viewed as the most beautifully designed Ferrari yet, but it also was one of the most successful racing cars that the brand had ever built, claiming wins in 300 plus races across the globe. At the end of its production, only 36 GTOs were created– all of which still exist to this day.
This specific example, chassis number 3413, was the third to be built. It started its life under Ferrari’s wing, test driven in road races, then was sold to its first (and famous) owner Edoardo Lualdi Gabardi. Back in 1962, Gabardi was the first of many to bring this legendary automotive creation to light. He had competed in ten races that year with the GTO, getting First place in all but one, and securing the win of the Italian National GT championship.
When passed on to the next two owners, the vehicle won its class in both the ’63 and ’64 Targa Florio endurance race. In total, the car has participated in 20 race events – crossing the finish line all of those 20 times with zero accidents. Since then, the car has been purchased by a couple of different avid car collector hobbyists and enthusiasts, all of which have taken exemplary care of it, and have participated in the GTO anniversary events as well as various vintage car events across the world.
“We are thrilled at the rare opportunity to offer a legendary Ferrari 250 GTO at auction,” said Shelby Myers, RM Sotheby’s Car Specialist. “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.”
Over fifty years after its creation, here we are, still drooling over this car that has now become the collector’s “holy grail.” Estimated to bring in over 45 million dollars this August in Monterey, this Ferrari 250 GTO will more than likely be made into the most valuable motor car ever offered at auction.
“This marks just the third time that a GTO has been offered for public sale in the new millennium,” Myers continued. “I can think of no better place than our flagship Monterey event, an auction that has borne witness to the record-smashing sale of some of the most important cars in history, for the presentation of such an exceptional example of Ferrari’s most successful racer and the world’s most sought-after collector car, full stop. The fact that the GTO exists as it did in period, along with Dr. Whitten’s long-term, enthusiastic ownership, only adds to the car’s impeccable pedigree.”