Records were shattered at the Bonhams auction in Monterey, California on Thursday, 14 August as the 1962/63 Ferrari 250 GTO, chassis number 3851GT, sold for the equivalent of €28.57 million euros. This underscores the unrivalled desirability for Ferrari in the collector car market and the continued dominance of the brand at auctions worldwide.
This car was the 19th Ferrari GTO to be completed and was invoiced on 11 September, 1962. It was most recently owned by Italian enthusiast Fabrizio Violati and was the centrepiece of his Collezione Maranello Rosso of previous Ferraris previously on view to the general public in the Republic of San Marino.
Violati acquired the 250 GTO in 1965 for 2,500,000 Lire, which was then around $4,000 USD of £1,400 Sterling. It was originally finished in metallic pale grey with lengthwise red, white and blue centerline stripes when acquired by its first owner, French privateer Jo Schlesser.
Total Ferrari sales on the 14th at Bonhams totalled just under $65 million USD.
