The record for the planet's most expensive car was broken for the second time in two years in August 2014, following the sale of a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta for $38,115,000 USD.
The sale price, achieved by the famous Bonham's auction house, eclipsed the $35 million paid in 2013 for another 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO which was custom-built for British racing legend Sir Stirling Moss.
Although the $38 million paid is the most money ever handed over for a car at auction, the sale actually represents something of a bargain in some people's eyes, as many expected it to reach between 50 and 60 million dollars. If new Ferraris are more your thing, see AUTHORITY URL: http://auto.ferrari.com/en_EN/ for the details of the car company's latest offerings.
As far as value for money is concerned, the sale probably doesn't represent one of the great second hand car deals. But if someone can afford to splash out more than £22 million on a single car, then they probably didn't have to use any car finance specialists to raise the funds.
For more details on the Bonham's sale of the Collezione Maranello Rosso see: http://www.bonhams.com/press_release/17205/.
The History of Chassis Number 3851GT
The 250 GTO sold by Bonham's was the 19th to be built and the original customer was invoiced in September 1962. Its original colour was a metallic grey with blue, white and red centre-line stripes running along its length. Its first owner was the Formula 1 driver Jo Schlesser.
Prior to this record-breaking sale, it was owned by Italian Fabrizio Violati as part of his famous Collezione Maranello Rosso, a collection of valuable and notable Ferrari cars. For more details on this amazing car collection see http://www.maranellorosso.com/file/inglese/ferrariok.html.
Between Schlesser and Violoati, the car was owned by Frenchman Henri Oreiller, a retired Olympic skier and race driver. Unfortunately, he crashed it into a wall and later died of his injuries. When Violati purchased the car it was a wreck, and he was forced to hide it from his parents and only drive it under the safety of darkness.
Violati bought the car in 1965 for around 2.5 million lira, which was the equivalent of approximately $4000 USD at the time and around $33,500 USD today.
The 250 GTO
The 250 GTO was produced between 1962 and 1964 for use in the Group 3 Grand Touring Car class of FIA racing. The '250' represents the volume (in cubic centimetres) that is displaced by each of the engine's cylinders. 'GTO' is short for 'Gran Turismo Omologato'. The car was sold new for $18,000 USD and buyers were required to gain the personal approval of Enzo Ferrari himself.
In total, only 39 GTOS were produced, 36 of which were produced in 1962-63. In 1964 the Series II GTO was introduced, which had a slightly different shape. Only three were made, but four of the Series I cars were re-fitted with a Series II body. The GTO boasts a V12 3-litre engine that produces 300bhp.
The GTO is regularly voted as the best sports car of the 1960s and as one of the top sports cars of all time.
