Gran Turismo Omologato, which translates to “Grand Touring Homologated” in Italian, stands for the displacement in cubic centimeters of each of its cylinders. The number “250” in the name signifies this.
Of the 250 GTOs, only 36 were produced between 1962 and 1964. This contains three 1964 Series II cars and 33 Series I vehicles with bodywork resembling the Ferrari 250 LM from the years 1962 to 1963. In 1964, four earlier Series I vehicles from the years 1962 to 1963 were upgraded with Series II bodywork.
The 250 GTO originally cost $18,000 in the United States, and Enzo Ferrari and his dealer in North America, Luigi Chinetti, personally authorized customers. [ref] Since then, this model has grown in popularity among auto enthusiasts, and sales have frequently shattered sales records. In June 2018, the 1963 250 GTO (chassis 4153GT) that now holds the record for the most expensive Ferrari was sold in a private transaction for $70 million.
The 250 GTO was recognized as the best sports vehicle of all time by Sports Car International in 2004 and ranked ninth on a list of the Top Sports Cars of the 1960s. The 250 GTO was also ranked first on a list of the “Greatest Ferraris of All Time” by Motor Trend Classic, and it was dubbed the “Hottest Car of All Time” by Popular Mechanics.
In This Article...
The Ferrari 250 GTO is quite pricey, why?
Let’s start with the Ferrari 250 GTO’s general public knowledge. These supercars are extremely uncommon because there were just 39 of them made. Finding current owners who are willing to sell their unicorns is even more difficult. However, the price of the Ferrari 250 GTO is affected by other significant aspects. For instance, this car at the time featured distinctive and innovative appearance. In fact, the 1961 prototype was so unique that the press initially referred to it as a “anteater,” according to Road & Track.
This car’s success in a few road races also contributed to its rise to fame. Arnold Clark contends that you don’t observe a 500,000% gain in value with a loss. With veteran driver Jean Guichet at the wheel, the Ferrari 250 GTO won the 1963 Tour de France competition, earning accolades for its performance. The 1962 GT Championship was won by the third 250 GTO ever made, an example of which sold in 2018 for $70 million. From 1962 to 1965, it also won more than 15 more races.
Each Ferrari 250 GTO is hand-built, making each one distinctive from the others and increasing its value. When buying a vintage racecar, paying close attention to every aspect matters. It became even more desirable if you could get Enzo Ferrari’s approval to purchase one of these automobiles. The idea that they can’t possess anything is something that extremely rich individuals find intolerable.
A Quick History of the Ferrari 250 GTO in the World of Luxury
Every time a Ferrari 250 GTO is put up for sale, a big event occurs. It is not only one of the most sought-after sports vehicles in history, but it is also one of the most uncommon. Only 36 were made, all between 1962 and 1964, yet, astonishingly, collectors can identify every single one of them. Ralph Lauren and computer tycoon Craig McCaw each possess one. In August 2014, a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO broke the auction record when it sold for $38.1 million. Another 1962 GTO, the third one ever constructed, will be put up for auction at RM Sotheby’s on August 24. With a presale estimate of $45 million, this Ferrari is likely to smash the auction record in addition to having an illustrious racing history.
The 250 GTO, the last edition of Ferrari’s 250 model, was designed for racing but also served as a road vehicle. GTO stands for Gran Turismo Omologato, meaning Grand Touring Homologated. The body, which was effectively a 250 Testa Rossa, was powered by a 300 horsepower, 3-liter V12 engine. Each owner of such a beauty received the personal endorsement of Enzo Ferrari, who set the price for such a beauty at $18,000 (about $150,000 today).
1962 250 GTO was a steal at $5,400 when it was sold privately, decades before it was deemed a classic.
The Greatest Barn Find: Chassis 3987 spent 15 years decaying in a field before it was repaired and brought back to life. In 1986, [+] was sold for $1 million.
A 1962 250 GTO that had rusted in a field for 15 years before being repaired was purchased by collector Frank Gallogly for a then-record $1 million a year after Ralph Lauren paid $650,000 for chassis 3987 and Ferrari fever was in full swing. He sold it for $4.2 million two years later.
Cellphone pioneer Craig McCaw purchased a 1962 250 GTO that had formerly belonged to racing icon Stirling Moss in a $35 million private deal.
Record Holder, Part 1: Will the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO’s auction sale price be surpassed in… August [+]?
A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO earned a record price at Bonhams’ annual Quail Lodge auction when it sold to Carlos Monteverde, the son of billionaire Brazilian philanthropist Lily Safra, for $38.1 million.
Record Holder, Part 2: The CEO of WeatherTech reportedly paid $70 million for this 1963 Ferrari.
David MacNeil, the founder and CEO of WeatherTech, purchased a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO privately for an estimated $70 million (the equivalent of about a million car mats).
The New Prize: Will this 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO surpass all previous auction records for a vehicle?
After a successful racing career, Gianni Bulgari purchased the 1962 250 GTO chassis 3413 in 1963. The Ferrari was bought by billionaire Sir Anthony Bamford six years (and a few owners) later, and after a few more owners, Greg Whitten, a former Microsoft chief software architect, bought it in 2000 for $7 million. The car is currently being offered for sale at RM Sotheby’s, where it is anticipated to break auction records. Whitten justifies his choice to sell by saying, “I’ve had the GTO for a long time.” “I want to buy additional cars as well.”
Actual Value
It costs money to be this rare and nearly faultless in the motor world. The 250 GTO is conceivably the most expensive car ever made, and a few of these extremely rare cars have been auctioned off for eye-popping sums of money.
250 GTOs have been auctioned off for more than $40 million. A 1963 GTO also set a new record for a private automotive sale at $70M, making it the most expensive vehicle ever sold.
Who owns a Ferrari 250 GTO from 1963?
In a private transaction earlier in June, German race car driver Christian Glasel sold his 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO, chassis 4153, to David MacNeil, the creator of the automobile floor mats company WeatherTech, for at least $70 million. The most expensive vehicle ever auctioned sold for $38.1 million in 2014 when chassis 3851 went up for sale.
There are how many Ferrari GTO 250s?
To be homologated for Group 3 Grand Touring Car racing in 1962, a car had to be produced in at least one hundred examples, according to FIA standards. Ferrari only produced 36 250 GTOs (33 of the 1962-design Series I cars and three 1964-design Series II cars, with revised bodywork). The three more “330 GTO” vehicles with the four-liter 330 engine—identified by the noticeable hump on the bonnet—are occasionally added to the total production number, bringing it to 39. It became a common misconception that Enzo Ferrari moved the same automobiles between different places to give the appearance that all 100 cars were there when FIA inspectors arrived to verify that 100 examples had been produced. Actually, no deception was necessary because the older 250 GT Berlinetta SWB model’s homologation paid the cost of the construction of the 250 GTO. These homologation papers were issued in 1960, but between 1961 and 1964, extensions were often requested and approved, enabling Ferrari to make additions not covered by the initial specification, such as alterations to the engine, transmission, and suspension. Additionally, because more than 100 bodies had been constructed in accordance with the previous 250 GT SWB specification, FIA rules permitted the design of a new body, which resulted in the creation of the new 250 GTO body style. Similar procedures were employed to homologate the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato and the Jaguar E-Type Lightweight, so this form of homologation was not exclusive to Ferrari.
How uncommon is a 250 GTO Ferrari?
Less than 40 Ferrari 250 GTOs were made between 1962 and 1964, and buyers had to be individually approved by Enzo Ferrari. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO ($39.6 and $48.4 Million)
What remains of the 1963 250 GTO?
Although it’s popularly believed that all 36 of the 250 GTOs are still in existence today, it was just the third 250 GTO to ever roll off the Maranello assembly line.
The 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO is quite pricey, why?
Given how few were produced by the Italian company, the Ferrari 250 GTO is so pricey. During a brief production cycle from 1962 to 1964, only 36 were produced.
These sports vehicles were created for on-track competition in the FIA’s Group 3 class. The Ferrari 250 GTO had an exceptional track record during its prime because to such design. It became an icon after winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Tour de France Automobile, and several Grands Prix.
The 250 GTO was a force to be reckoned with as soon as it reached the circuit. The performance of the vintage Ferrari exceeded all expectations, and it quickly rose to collectible status.
It’s virtually impossible to get a genuine 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO because so few of them were ever made. Anyone who owns one wants to keep it, and anyone who wants to purchase one needs to have a lot of extra money.
What’s the market price of a 1963 Ferrari GTO?
The astounding news was revealed by CNBC in June 2018. When the media revealed some of the facts of the sale between two Ferrari fans, a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO amazed readers. And it’s thought that the price of this privately negotiated sale may be the highest ever for a car.
For a staggering $70 million, the new owner took home this 1963 250 GTO (more about that later). And sales figures like these keep the general public interested in the arrival and departure of these iconic automobiles.