The record price for a Ferrari sold at auction has been reset, following a special auction event in New York this November, conducted by RM Sotheby’s.
As part of their Marquee Week Sales of Modern and Contemporary Art, RM Sotheby’s offered a restored 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. Already regarded as the Holy Grail amongst collectable Ferraris, this 250 GTO had been with the consignor for 38 years, but what set it apart from the handful of others built to ‘Tipo 1962’ specification was its unique early history.
GTO ORIGINS
Ferrari developed the 250 GTO from their existing 250 GT SWB in response to the FIA’s intention to replace the World Championship of Sports Cars with a new International Championship of Manufacturers for 1962. This would see points awarded onlyGT production car classes, not prototype racecars, although they could still enter. As the 250 GT was already homologated, it was the obvious choice for Ferrari to develop for the new competition.
