Although we’re more focused on new cars here at CarAdvice, some classic car sales are so eye-catching, we can’t help but write about them. The silver Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione pictured here falls firmly into that category with a price that, at risk of sounding like click-bait, we don’t believe.
The 250 GT LWB you see here was recently sold by R.M Sotheby’s in New York for a staggering US$17.99 million ($23,937,500) last week. Chassis 1451 is one of only two examples built with an all-aluminium body and, if that wasn’t desirable enough, placed fifth overall at Le Mans in 1959.
Driven by Fernand Tavano and Bob Grossman, the former of whom spoke no English and the latter who spoke little French, the car completed 294 laps. Not bad, given it was Grossman’s first trip to Le Mans.
Its racing career didn’t end at Circuit de la Sarthe, though. Bob Grossman piloted the car on the American racing circuit, where it competed at Watkins Glen. It even competed in the Bahamas, according to R.M Sotheby’s, making it a seriously well-travelled sports car.
Having retired from the international racing scene, the car has been treated to a complete Ferrari-approved restoration and entered in a number of high-class concours. Along with a best-in-class award at Pebble Beach, 250 GT LWB 1451 won a ‘platinum award’ at the Cavallino Classic.
Although $24 million is expensive, it isn’t actually the highest auction price for a desirable classic Ferrari. That honour goes to the 250 GTO, of which fewer than 40 were built, selling for a cool $69,092,400. Certain cars have taken on legendary status on the auction market lately – an un-driven McLaren F1 recently set records, while even Aussie muscle cars have been selling strongly.
MORE: Ferrari news, reviews, comparisons and videos
0 Response to "Ferrari 250 GT LWB California sells for $24 million"
Post a Comment