The ultimate collector's car
Ferrari’s 250 GTO was effectively the final evolution of the marque’s famous 250 model, which debuted in 1953 and ended with the last GTOs in 1964. In total, a mere 36 examples of the 250 GTO were ever produced, all of which have survived. Widely considered the most beautiful Ferrari design, the model was one of the most successful road/racing cars that the marque ever built, claiming overall victory or 1st in class in nearly 300 races worldwide. Decades down the road, the Ferrari 250 GTO has become the car collector’s ‘holy grail’, thanks not only to its incredible pedigree, but to a group of French collectors who organised the first gathering of GTO owners in 1982. Occurring every five years since its inception, the meeting is a glorious driving and dining tour across the country of their choosing, and the only entry into this exclusive club is ownership; making the GTO the hottest ticket in the collector car world.
The GTO here is chassis no. 3413 GT, the third of the 36 examples built which began its life as a Series I car. Under Ferrari factory use, the GTO was a test car driven by Phil Hill for the 1962 Targa Florio road race. The car was then sold to its first owner, one of Ferrari’s most favored privateer customers, Edoardo Lualdi-Gabardi. The Italian gentleman racer entered the GTO in 10 races in 1962, winning all but one.
Lualdi-Gabardi received a second GTO in 1963 and sold chassis no. 3413 to then race car driver Gianni Bulgari, who went on to lead the renowned Bulgari jewellery company. Under both Bulgari and subsequent owner Corrado Ferlaino’s ownership, the GTO won its class in the 1963 and 1964 Targa Florio. The car contested a total of 20 races in period, never involved in an accident, and not once failing to finish. A rare case and incredible feat for any race car, it retains its original engine, gearbox, and rear axle, as well as its factory Series II body, in which it was clothed by Carrozzeria Scaglietti in 1964.
RM Sotheby's will be offering this 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO at their upcoming Monterey auction between the 24-25th August. For more information on this and other vehicles at the sale, click on the link below. Photos: Patrick Ernzen ©2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's and The Klemantaski Collection.