Cars
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Top 10 Formula One Cars 1950s Cars 1953-54 Cars 1955 Cars 1956-57 Cars of the 1960s Cars 1962-63 Cars 1964-65 Cars 1966-67 Italy Ferrari Mercedes-Benz Germany II
Chronology : 20th century 1950-1959 1954 1955 1956 1957 1962 1967
References : all auction results over $ 4M in Wikipedia - Most expensive cars sold at auction. Classified by realized price, descending. Continuously updated.
All auction results over $ 8M as of August 31, 2025 : News d'Anciennes.
See also : Top 10 Formula One Cars 1950s Cars 1953-54 Cars 1955 Cars 1956-57 Cars of the 1960s Cars 1962-63 Cars 1964-65 Cars 1966-67 Italy Ferrari Mercedes-Benz Germany II
Chronology : 20th century 1950-1959 1954 1955 1956 1957 1962 1967
References : all auction results over $ 4M in Wikipedia - Most expensive cars sold at auction. Classified by realized price, descending. Continuously updated.
All auction results over $ 8M as of August 31, 2025 : News d'Anciennes.
Mercedes-Benz
1
1954 W196
2025 SOLD for € 51M by RM Sotheby's
Everything goes very fast, in any meaning of the word, for Mercedes-Benz at the beginning of 1954. Technology is the best asset to win competitions. For coming back to racing, the German brand aligns the 300SL model for endurance and the W196 single-seater for Formula 1.
The original body of the W196 is the streamlined Stromlinienwagen in magnesium alloy, low, wide and smoothly curved with enclosed wheels. Surrounding the wheel by a piece of bodywork is a theoretical advantage because it limits the air friction. The engine is a straight eight 2.5 liters with two camshafts. The top speed in this configuration reaches 290 km/h.
They are committed to win. Mercedes manage to take the best driver, Juan Manuel Fangio, world champion in 1951 with Alfa Romeo, who had just won the first two grand prix of the season in a Maserati.
Four cars are ready for their debut race, the Grand Prix de France in Reims on July 4. With the chassis 3, Fangio starts in pole position and wins the race while a teammate finishes second.
Meanwhile an open wheeler was under design for difficult circuits such as the Nürburgring. Fangio requires it for that event happening in August. Chassis 3 is re-bodied for him as an open wheeler while two brand new cars, chassis 5 and 6, are released with the new body. Fangio once again catches the pole position and the final win.
Three weeks later Fangio wins the Swiss Grand Prix with Chassis 6 still in open wheels. Fangio terminates the season with his second Formula 1 Drivers' World Championship title.
Preserved as an open wheeler, the 6 was sold for £ 19.6M on July 12, 2013 by Bonhams, lot 320. It was at that time the only example of the model in private hands.
After the chassis 6 narrated above, eight other W196 were released, numbered 7 to 10 and 12 to 15.
The 9 was first tested in December 1954. It was raced as an opened wheeler by Fangio in the Buenos Aires Grand Prix in January 1955, winning that event. It was re-bodied as a Stromlinienwagen before being driven at Monza by Stirling Moss for the 1955 Italian Grand Prix. It achieved the fastest lap in that event.
Maintained in its Monza body, it was donated in 1965 by Mercedes-Benz to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. From the collection of that museum, it was sold for € 51M in a single lot auction by RM Sotheby's on February 1, 2025. The auction is held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.
Its photo in the Indianapolis Museum in 2013 is shared by Wikimedia with attribution : Doug4422, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
The 1955 season was shortened by the cancelling of many Grand Prix after the accident at Le Mans. Mercedes-Benz then withdrew from motor sport including Formula 1, terminating the short but highly successful story of the W196.
Mercedes-Benz W196 : compare chassis 6, sold by Bonhams in 2013, and chassis 9, sold by RM Sotheby's in 2025.
The Mercedes-Benz W196 was a groundbreaking Formula 1 car produced for the 1954 and 1955 seasons, featuring advanced engineering like a fuel-injected straight-eight engine, desmodromic valves, and independent suspension. It dominated the era, securing back-to-back Drivers' World Championships for Juan Manuel Fangio. Chassis 6 and chassis 9 are two notable examples from the 14 total W196 chassis built, each with distinct configurations, racing pedigrees, and auction histories. Chassis 6 is an open-wheel monoposto, while chassis 9 is a rare "Stromlinienwagen" (streamliner) variant designed for high-speed circuits like Monza.
Chassis Number
Chassis 6 : 196 010 00006/54
Chassis 9 : 00009/54
Body Type
Chassis 6 : Open-wheel monoposto (standard single-seater with exposed wheels)
Chassis 9 : Stromlinienwagen (streamlined enclosed-fender body for aerodynamics on high-speed tracks; also raced in open-wheel configuration)
Key Drivers
Chassis 6 : Juan Manuel Fangio (primary), Karl Kling, Hans Herrmann
Chassis 9 : Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss
Major Races and Results
Chassis 6 : - 1954 French GP: Fangio pole and win - 1954 German GP: Fangio pole and win - 1954 Swiss GP: Fangio win (clinched 1954 championship) - 1954 Italian GP: Herrmann 4th - 1955 Italian GP: Kling 2nd (DNF due to propeller shaft failure)
Chassis 9 : - 1955 Buenos Aires GP (Formula Libre): Fangio win (with 3.0L engine) - 1955 Argentine GP: Fangio win - 1955 Belgian GP: 1-2 finish (Fangio/Moss) - 1955 Dutch GP: 1-2 finish - 1955 British GP: Part of 1-2-3-4 finish - 1955 Italian GP: Moss fastest lap (215.7 km/h avg.), DNF (piston failure) in streamliner body
Engine and Specs
Chassis 6 : 2.5L M196 R straight-eight (257-290 hp), fuel-injected, desmodromic valves; 2,350 mm wheelbase spaceframe chassis; inboard brakes; top speed ~170 mph
Chassis 9 : Similar 2.5L M196 (up to 290 hp), with 3.0L variant tested; 2,350 mm wheelbase (adapted for streamliner); lightweight magnesium alloy body; top speed >186 mph
Condition at Sale
Chassis 6 : Largely original "barn-find" state as last assembled in 1955; inspected and confirmed authentic by Mercedes-Benz Classic; runnable after preparation, with minor updates like hoses and paint
Chassis 9 : Museum-preserved for 59 years; refinished in original silver livery (1980 and 2015); in 1955 Monza configuration; requires recommissioning before use; never raced in vintage events
Post-Racing History
Chassis 6 : Exhibited 1965-1969 (e.g., Le Mans, Hockenheim); donated to National Motor Museum (Beaulieu) in 1973; privately owned from 1986 (including runs at Monaco Historic and Goodwood)
Chassis 9 : Donated to Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 1965; displayed at events like Amelia Island Concours (1996, 2020), Petersen Museum (2015, 2022-2023), Pebble Beach (2024)
Sale Details
Chassis 6 : Sold by Bonhams at Goodwood Festival of Speed (July 12, 2013) for £19,601,500 (~$29.6M USD at the time); set auction record for any car
Chassis 9 : Sold by RM Sotheby's in Stuttgart (February 1, 2025) for €51,155,000 (~$53.9M USD); most valuable Grand Prix car ever sold; from IMS Museum collection
Both cars played pivotal roles in Mercedes-Benz's 1954-1955 dominance, with chassis 6 focusing on 1954 successes and chassis 9 contributing to 1955 victories. The higher 2025 sale price for chassis 9 reflects its rarity as one of only four factory streamliners, inflation, and market growth for historic racers, surpassing chassis 6's record after 12 years.
The original body of the W196 is the streamlined Stromlinienwagen in magnesium alloy, low, wide and smoothly curved with enclosed wheels. Surrounding the wheel by a piece of bodywork is a theoretical advantage because it limits the air friction. The engine is a straight eight 2.5 liters with two camshafts. The top speed in this configuration reaches 290 km/h.
They are committed to win. Mercedes manage to take the best driver, Juan Manuel Fangio, world champion in 1951 with Alfa Romeo, who had just won the first two grand prix of the season in a Maserati.
Four cars are ready for their debut race, the Grand Prix de France in Reims on July 4. With the chassis 3, Fangio starts in pole position and wins the race while a teammate finishes second.
Meanwhile an open wheeler was under design for difficult circuits such as the Nürburgring. Fangio requires it for that event happening in August. Chassis 3 is re-bodied for him as an open wheeler while two brand new cars, chassis 5 and 6, are released with the new body. Fangio once again catches the pole position and the final win.
Three weeks later Fangio wins the Swiss Grand Prix with Chassis 6 still in open wheels. Fangio terminates the season with his second Formula 1 Drivers' World Championship title.
Preserved as an open wheeler, the 6 was sold for £ 19.6M on July 12, 2013 by Bonhams, lot 320. It was at that time the only example of the model in private hands.
After the chassis 6 narrated above, eight other W196 were released, numbered 7 to 10 and 12 to 15.
The 9 was first tested in December 1954. It was raced as an opened wheeler by Fangio in the Buenos Aires Grand Prix in January 1955, winning that event. It was re-bodied as a Stromlinienwagen before being driven at Monza by Stirling Moss for the 1955 Italian Grand Prix. It achieved the fastest lap in that event.
Maintained in its Monza body, it was donated in 1965 by Mercedes-Benz to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. From the collection of that museum, it was sold for € 51M in a single lot auction by RM Sotheby's on February 1, 2025. The auction is held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.
Its photo in the Indianapolis Museum in 2013 is shared by Wikimedia with attribution : Doug4422, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
The 1955 season was shortened by the cancelling of many Grand Prix after the accident at Le Mans. Mercedes-Benz then withdrew from motor sport including Formula 1, terminating the short but highly successful story of the W196.
Mercedes-Benz W196 : compare chassis 6, sold by Bonhams in 2013, and chassis 9, sold by RM Sotheby's in 2025.
The Mercedes-Benz W196 was a groundbreaking Formula 1 car produced for the 1954 and 1955 seasons, featuring advanced engineering like a fuel-injected straight-eight engine, desmodromic valves, and independent suspension. It dominated the era, securing back-to-back Drivers' World Championships for Juan Manuel Fangio. Chassis 6 and chassis 9 are two notable examples from the 14 total W196 chassis built, each with distinct configurations, racing pedigrees, and auction histories. Chassis 6 is an open-wheel monoposto, while chassis 9 is a rare "Stromlinienwagen" (streamliner) variant designed for high-speed circuits like Monza.
Chassis Number
Chassis 6 : 196 010 00006/54
Chassis 9 : 00009/54
Body Type
Chassis 6 : Open-wheel monoposto (standard single-seater with exposed wheels)
Chassis 9 : Stromlinienwagen (streamlined enclosed-fender body for aerodynamics on high-speed tracks; also raced in open-wheel configuration)
Key Drivers
Chassis 6 : Juan Manuel Fangio (primary), Karl Kling, Hans Herrmann
Chassis 9 : Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss
Major Races and Results
Chassis 6 : - 1954 French GP: Fangio pole and win - 1954 German GP: Fangio pole and win - 1954 Swiss GP: Fangio win (clinched 1954 championship) - 1954 Italian GP: Herrmann 4th - 1955 Italian GP: Kling 2nd (DNF due to propeller shaft failure)
Chassis 9 : - 1955 Buenos Aires GP (Formula Libre): Fangio win (with 3.0L engine) - 1955 Argentine GP: Fangio win - 1955 Belgian GP: 1-2 finish (Fangio/Moss) - 1955 Dutch GP: 1-2 finish - 1955 British GP: Part of 1-2-3-4 finish - 1955 Italian GP: Moss fastest lap (215.7 km/h avg.), DNF (piston failure) in streamliner body
Engine and Specs
Chassis 6 : 2.5L M196 R straight-eight (257-290 hp), fuel-injected, desmodromic valves; 2,350 mm wheelbase spaceframe chassis; inboard brakes; top speed ~170 mph
Chassis 9 : Similar 2.5L M196 (up to 290 hp), with 3.0L variant tested; 2,350 mm wheelbase (adapted for streamliner); lightweight magnesium alloy body; top speed >186 mph
Condition at Sale
Chassis 6 : Largely original "barn-find" state as last assembled in 1955; inspected and confirmed authentic by Mercedes-Benz Classic; runnable after preparation, with minor updates like hoses and paint
Chassis 9 : Museum-preserved for 59 years; refinished in original silver livery (1980 and 2015); in 1955 Monza configuration; requires recommissioning before use; never raced in vintage events
Post-Racing History
Chassis 6 : Exhibited 1965-1969 (e.g., Le Mans, Hockenheim); donated to National Motor Museum (Beaulieu) in 1973; privately owned from 1986 (including runs at Monaco Historic and Goodwood)
Chassis 9 : Donated to Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 1965; displayed at events like Amelia Island Concours (1996, 2020), Petersen Museum (2015, 2022-2023), Pebble Beach (2024)
Sale Details
Chassis 6 : Sold by Bonhams at Goodwood Festival of Speed (July 12, 2013) for £19,601,500 (~$29.6M USD at the time); set auction record for any car
Chassis 9 : Sold by RM Sotheby's in Stuttgart (February 1, 2025) for €51,155,000 (~$53.9M USD); most valuable Grand Prix car ever sold; from IMS Museum collection
Both cars played pivotal roles in Mercedes-Benz's 1954-1955 dominance, with chassis 6 focusing on 1954 successes and chassis 9 contributing to 1955 victories. The higher 2025 sale price for chassis 9 reflects its rarity as one of only four factory streamliners, inflation, and market growth for historic racers, surpassing chassis 6's record after 12 years.
2
1955 Uhlenhaut Coupé
2022 SOLD for € 135M by RM Sotheby's
Two special adaptations of the 3 litre 300 SLR coupé were made by Mercedes-Benz in 1955. Designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut, they are known as the Uhlenhaut coupés. Capable of reaching 290 km/h, this model was the fastest road going car of its time.
Employed by Mercedes-Benz since 1931, Uhlenhaut had been a lead designer of the Silver Arrows, of the Formula One highly successful W196 of JM Fangio fame and of the open top Rennsport 300 SLR of Stirling Moss fame. He was also behind the scene of the Le Mans winner W194 and of the road going 300 SL gullwing.
The Uhlenhaut coupés were assembled as two seaters with gullwing doors on two W196 chassis left unused after the 1955 Le Mans crash and the subsequent withdrawal of the brand from motor sport.
Both prototypes were retained by Mercedes-Benz from new. Uhlenhaut had one as a company car. He once drove the 230 km on the autobahn between Stuttgart and Munich in less than an hour.
The first one is on display in the museum of the brand. The second car was used as a demonstration car and was restored in 1986. It was sold for € 135M on May 5, 2022 by RM Sotheby's in a private auction, lot 1. The proceeds help to create a Mercedes-Benz fund for young researchers in environmental science and carbon dioxide reduction.
Please watch the video shared by the auction house, featuring with the hammer Oliver Barker, chairman of Sotheby's Europe.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé is a legendary two-seater sports car from 1955, often hailed as one of the greatest automotive achievements of the 20th century. Named after Rudolf Uhlenhaut, Mercedes-Benz's chief engineer and head of the test department, it was essentially a road-legal adaptation of the dominant 300 SLR race car, which had powered the company to victory in the 1955 World Sportscar Championship. Only two examples were ever built, using surplus parts from the racing program after Mercedes abruptly withdrew from motorsport following the tragic 1955 Le Mans disaster that killed over 80 spectators. Uhlenhaut himself used one as a company car, famously driving it at high speeds on public roads, including a reported top speed exceeding 180 mph (290 km/h).
Its engineering was groundbreaking, drawing directly from the W 196 R Formula One car that won championships in 1954 and 1955. Powered by a 3.0-liter straight-eight engine producing around 310 horsepower, it featured advanced elements like a tubular spaceframe chassis, desmodromic valves, direct fuel injection, and a sleek, gullwing-door body designed for both aerodynamics and practicality. This made it not just a test vehicle but a symbol of Mercedes-Benz's engineering prowess during the post-war era, bridging the gap between racing dominance and road-car innovation. The 300 SLR series, including the open-top racers, secured iconic wins like Stirling Moss's record-setting victory at the 1955 Mille Miglia, cementing Mercedes' reputation for speed, reliability, and technological superiority. The Uhlenhaut Coupé, in particular, represents the "what if" of Mercedes continuing in endurance racing, as it was tested extensively but never competed.
In Mercedes-Benz history, the Uhlenhaut Coupé holds immense significance as a milestone in sports car development and a key artifact of the brand's racing heritage. It embodies the Silver Arrow era's spirit of innovation, where lessons from the track influenced future production models like the 300 SL Gullwing. For decades, both coupés were preserved in the Mercedes-Benz Museum collection, underscoring their role as "holy grails" of automotive history. The car's rarity—being one of just two prototypes—and its direct ties to Uhlenhaut's genius have elevated it to mythic status among collectors and enthusiasts.
In May 2022, one of the two Uhlenhaut Coupés (chassis number 00008/55) was sold at a private auction hosted by RM Sotheby's at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, fetching a record €135 million (approximately $142 million USD) from a private collector. This shattered previous auction records, making it the most expensive car ever sold and highlighting its unparalleled historical value. The proceeds funded the establishment of the Mercedes-Benz Fund, aimed at supporting research in decarbonization and resource conservation. The remaining example stays in Mercedes' collection, ensuring its legacy endures.
Employed by Mercedes-Benz since 1931, Uhlenhaut had been a lead designer of the Silver Arrows, of the Formula One highly successful W196 of JM Fangio fame and of the open top Rennsport 300 SLR of Stirling Moss fame. He was also behind the scene of the Le Mans winner W194 and of the road going 300 SL gullwing.
The Uhlenhaut coupés were assembled as two seaters with gullwing doors on two W196 chassis left unused after the 1955 Le Mans crash and the subsequent withdrawal of the brand from motor sport.
Both prototypes were retained by Mercedes-Benz from new. Uhlenhaut had one as a company car. He once drove the 230 km on the autobahn between Stuttgart and Munich in less than an hour.
The first one is on display in the museum of the brand. The second car was used as a demonstration car and was restored in 1986. It was sold for € 135M on May 5, 2022 by RM Sotheby's in a private auction, lot 1. The proceeds help to create a Mercedes-Benz fund for young researchers in environmental science and carbon dioxide reduction.
Please watch the video shared by the auction house, featuring with the hammer Oliver Barker, chairman of Sotheby's Europe.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé is a legendary two-seater sports car from 1955, often hailed as one of the greatest automotive achievements of the 20th century. Named after Rudolf Uhlenhaut, Mercedes-Benz's chief engineer and head of the test department, it was essentially a road-legal adaptation of the dominant 300 SLR race car, which had powered the company to victory in the 1955 World Sportscar Championship. Only two examples were ever built, using surplus parts from the racing program after Mercedes abruptly withdrew from motorsport following the tragic 1955 Le Mans disaster that killed over 80 spectators. Uhlenhaut himself used one as a company car, famously driving it at high speeds on public roads, including a reported top speed exceeding 180 mph (290 km/h).
Its engineering was groundbreaking, drawing directly from the W 196 R Formula One car that won championships in 1954 and 1955. Powered by a 3.0-liter straight-eight engine producing around 310 horsepower, it featured advanced elements like a tubular spaceframe chassis, desmodromic valves, direct fuel injection, and a sleek, gullwing-door body designed for both aerodynamics and practicality. This made it not just a test vehicle but a symbol of Mercedes-Benz's engineering prowess during the post-war era, bridging the gap between racing dominance and road-car innovation. The 300 SLR series, including the open-top racers, secured iconic wins like Stirling Moss's record-setting victory at the 1955 Mille Miglia, cementing Mercedes' reputation for speed, reliability, and technological superiority. The Uhlenhaut Coupé, in particular, represents the "what if" of Mercedes continuing in endurance racing, as it was tested extensively but never competed.
In Mercedes-Benz history, the Uhlenhaut Coupé holds immense significance as a milestone in sports car development and a key artifact of the brand's racing heritage. It embodies the Silver Arrow era's spirit of innovation, where lessons from the track influenced future production models like the 300 SL Gullwing. For decades, both coupés were preserved in the Mercedes-Benz Museum collection, underscoring their role as "holy grails" of automotive history. The car's rarity—being one of just two prototypes—and its direct ties to Uhlenhaut's genius have elevated it to mythic status among collectors and enthusiasts.
In May 2022, one of the two Uhlenhaut Coupés (chassis number 00008/55) was sold at a private auction hosted by RM Sotheby's at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, fetching a record €135 million (approximately $142 million USD) from a private collector. This shattered previous auction records, making it the most expensive car ever sold and highlighting its unparalleled historical value. The proceeds funded the establishment of the Mercedes-Benz Fund, aimed at supporting research in decarbonization and resource conservation. The remaining example stays in Mercedes' collection, ensuring its legacy endures.
1956 Ferrari 290 MM
2015 SOLD for $ 28M by RM Sotheby's
Mercedes-Benz stopped its involvement in competition at the end of the 1955 season. Ferrari watched around the corner and managed to sign a contract with Juan Manuel Fangio. Aged 45 in 1956, the Argentine champion felt that his future was unassured due to the fall of Peron and could not any more consider to retire.
The World Sportscar Championship arouses a similar interest as Formula 1. Faced with the formidable challenge from the Maserati 300S, Ferrari prepares the 290 MM, certainly with some recommendations by its new driver. As usual for Ferrari at that time, the race for which the model is specifically prepared is indicated in the description: MM means Mille Miglia. Four cars are built.
The 1956 Mille Miglia are disturbed by heavy rain that causes no less than three fatalities. The competition is won by a 290 MM driven by Castellotti. Fangio is fourth with his car of the same model.
That 290 MM will not be reused later by Fangio but will have a significant history with other top drivers from the Scuderia Ferrari such as Portago, Phil Hill and Gendebien. Sold to a US private owner in the middle of the 1957 season, it is raced until 1964 without any crash.
This car has retained all its original features : chassis, engine, gearbox and its body by Scaglietti. It was sold for $ 28M by RM Sotheby's on December 10, 2015, lot 221.
Fangio failed to cooperate permanently with Enzo Ferrari and came back to Maserati just after his one-year contract. The Ferrari cars driven in competition by this champion are indeed extremely rare and the example for sale has an amazing authenticity. It is estimated $ 28M.
The World Sportscar Championship arouses a similar interest as Formula 1. Faced with the formidable challenge from the Maserati 300S, Ferrari prepares the 290 MM, certainly with some recommendations by its new driver. As usual for Ferrari at that time, the race for which the model is specifically prepared is indicated in the description: MM means Mille Miglia. Four cars are built.
The 1956 Mille Miglia are disturbed by heavy rain that causes no less than three fatalities. The competition is won by a 290 MM driven by Castellotti. Fangio is fourth with his car of the same model.
That 290 MM will not be reused later by Fangio but will have a significant history with other top drivers from the Scuderia Ferrari such as Portago, Phil Hill and Gendebien. Sold to a US private owner in the middle of the 1957 season, it is raced until 1964 without any crash.
This car has retained all its original features : chassis, engine, gearbox and its body by Scaglietti. It was sold for $ 28M by RM Sotheby's on December 10, 2015, lot 221.
Fangio failed to cooperate permanently with Enzo Ferrari and came back to Maserati just after his one-year contract. The Ferrari cars driven in competition by this champion are indeed extremely rare and the example for sale has an amazing authenticity. It is estimated $ 28M.
1957 Ferrari 315 S / 335 S
2016 SOLD for € 32M by Artcurial
The Prototipi class in endurance racing enables Ferrari to develop in the mid-1950s a range of powerful and spectacular vehicles made in very small quantities. The top goal is to win the Mille Miglia.
In 1956, Ferrari's efforts were rewarded by a return to victory with a 290 MM driven by Castellotti. Another 290 MM driven by Fangio went fourth. This latter car was sold for $ 28M by RM Sotheby's on 10 December 2015.
In 1957 the 315 S with a 3.8-liter engine and the 335 S with a 4-liter engine appear as the successors to the 290 MM. A 315 S driven by Taruffi won the race ahead of another 315 S driven by Von Trips. Unfortunately the most prestigious Italian endurance competition is forbidden by the Italian government following the accident of the 335 S of De Portago.
Other competitions continue and the cars are subject to the improvements necessary to maintain their competitiveness. The Ferrari 315 S which had been used by Von Trips receives a 4-liter engine, becoming a 335 S. It is also equipped with the fender pontoon front intended to reduce the overheating, which makes the glory in the same year of the 250 Testarossa .
After a very good competition history, the 315 S / 335 S enters the collection of Pierre Bardinon who restores it in its spider configuration while separately keeping the pontoon fender that still accompanies the car today. It was sold for € 32M by Artcurial on February 5, 2016, lot 170.
In 1956, Ferrari's efforts were rewarded by a return to victory with a 290 MM driven by Castellotti. Another 290 MM driven by Fangio went fourth. This latter car was sold for $ 28M by RM Sotheby's on 10 December 2015.
In 1957 the 315 S with a 3.8-liter engine and the 335 S with a 4-liter engine appear as the successors to the 290 MM. A 315 S driven by Taruffi won the race ahead of another 315 S driven by Von Trips. Unfortunately the most prestigious Italian endurance competition is forbidden by the Italian government following the accident of the 335 S of De Portago.
Other competitions continue and the cars are subject to the improvements necessary to maintain their competitiveness. The Ferrari 315 S which had been used by Von Trips receives a 4-liter engine, becoming a 335 S. It is also equipped with the fender pontoon front intended to reduce the overheating, which makes the glory in the same year of the 250 Testarossa .
After a very good competition history, the 315 S / 335 S enters the collection of Pierre Bardinon who restores it in its spider configuration while separately keeping the pontoon fender that still accompanies the car today. It was sold for € 32M by Artcurial on February 5, 2016, lot 170.
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
Intro
It is not enough to be the prettiest berlinetta of its time to win Grand Touring competitions, especially when Jaguar, Aston Martin and Shelby apply ambitious development programs. The Ferrari 250 GT SWB is no longer competitive with its oblique front that lifts at 250 km/h.
A team around Giotto Bizzarrini designs a low body with a tapered front hood. To facilitate the homologation, the new chassis has the same size as the SWB. The studies are validated in wind tunnel. The lowered engine remains a 3-liter Colombo V12 while incorporating several improvements from the 250 TR.
Thus was born the 250 GTO (Gran Turismo Omologato) at the beginning of 1962, coachworked as a berlinetta by Scaglietti. Its perfect geometry has also been improved after wind tunnel tests.. 33 cars are built in 1962 and 1963 according to this first model, which is a high figure for a commercial upscale Ferrari. They immediately dominate endurance and hill competitions. However Bizzarrini had left the company after a disagreement with Enzo Ferrari.
Extremely competitive without being exceptionally rare, the 250 GTO is the preferred model of the auto enthusiasts from the high society, functioning as an informal club with media covered exclusive meetings. Cars are transmitted like a talisman by each owner to his handpicked successor. 28 units remain with the 3-litre engine from its original design.
Ferrari 250 GTO : Significance of the model in the history of the brand.
The Ferrari 250 GTO (Gran Turismo Omologato), produced from 1962 to 1964, is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and significant models in Ferrari's history. It represents the pinnacle of the legendary 250 series and embodies Enzo Ferrari's philosophy of building road-legal cars that excelled in competition.
Racing Dominance
Ferrari designed the 250 GTO specifically for homologation in the FIA's Group 3 Grand Touring category, where it competed against rivals like the Shelby Cobra and Jaguar E-Type. It secured three consecutive International Championships for GT Manufacturers (1962–1964), a feat that solidified Ferrari's reputation in endurance racing during a golden era of motorsport.
Its track record includes:
Rarity and Cultural Impact
Only 36 examples were built (plus a few Series II variants in 1964), with each car handcrafted and often unique due to modifications during their racing lives. Buyers were personally vetted by Enzo Ferrari, adding to its exclusivity.
Today, it holds records as the most valuable car ever sold, with prices exceeding $70 million in private sales, reflecting its status as a "rolling work of art" and investment pinnacle.
Legacy for the Brand
Publications like Motor Trend Classic and Sports Car International have named it the greatest Ferrari of all time or the top sports car ever. It symbolizes Ferrari's racing DNA, blending beauty, performance, and success in a way few models have matched, influencing the brand's identity as a maker of uncompromising grand tourers and helping cement its dominance in the 1960s before the shift to mid-engined designs. The 250 GTO remains the ultimate expression of Ferrari's early ethos: cars born to race, yet drivable on the road.
A team around Giotto Bizzarrini designs a low body with a tapered front hood. To facilitate the homologation, the new chassis has the same size as the SWB. The studies are validated in wind tunnel. The lowered engine remains a 3-liter Colombo V12 while incorporating several improvements from the 250 TR.
Thus was born the 250 GTO (Gran Turismo Omologato) at the beginning of 1962, coachworked as a berlinetta by Scaglietti. Its perfect geometry has also been improved after wind tunnel tests.. 33 cars are built in 1962 and 1963 according to this first model, which is a high figure for a commercial upscale Ferrari. They immediately dominate endurance and hill competitions. However Bizzarrini had left the company after a disagreement with Enzo Ferrari.
Extremely competitive without being exceptionally rare, the 250 GTO is the preferred model of the auto enthusiasts from the high society, functioning as an informal club with media covered exclusive meetings. Cars are transmitted like a talisman by each owner to his handpicked successor. 28 units remain with the 3-litre engine from its original design.
Ferrari 250 GTO : Significance of the model in the history of the brand.
The Ferrari 250 GTO (Gran Turismo Omologato), produced from 1962 to 1964, is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and significant models in Ferrari's history. It represents the pinnacle of the legendary 250 series and embodies Enzo Ferrari's philosophy of building road-legal cars that excelled in competition.
Racing Dominance
Ferrari designed the 250 GTO specifically for homologation in the FIA's Group 3 Grand Touring category, where it competed against rivals like the Shelby Cobra and Jaguar E-Type. It secured three consecutive International Championships for GT Manufacturers (1962–1964), a feat that solidified Ferrari's reputation in endurance racing during a golden era of motorsport.
Its track record includes:
- Class wins at prestigious events like the Tour de France Automobile (overall victories in 1963 and 1964)
- Targa Florio
- 24 Hours of Le Mans (with second and third overall in 1962)
Rarity and Cultural Impact
Only 36 examples were built (plus a few Series II variants in 1964), with each car handcrafted and often unique due to modifications during their racing lives. Buyers were personally vetted by Enzo Ferrari, adding to its exclusivity.
Today, it holds records as the most valuable car ever sold, with prices exceeding $70 million in private sales, reflecting its status as a "rolling work of art" and investment pinnacle.
Legacy for the Brand
Publications like Motor Trend Classic and Sports Car International have named it the greatest Ferrari of all time or the top sports car ever. It symbolizes Ferrari's racing DNA, blending beauty, performance, and success in a way few models have matched, influencing the brand's identity as a maker of uncompromising grand tourers and helping cement its dominance in the 1960s before the shift to mid-engined designs. The 250 GTO remains the ultimate expression of Ferrari's early ethos: cars born to race, yet drivable on the road.
1
Series I
2014 SOLD for $ 38M by Bonhams
Coming from a deceased estate, a 250 GTO which had not changed hands for nearly half a century was sold by Bonhams on August 14, 2014 for $ 38M, lot 3.
This car has accumulated an interesting competition record after a bad start. Made in 1962, it was much damaged at Montlhéry on October 7 of the same year, killing one of its co-owners the ski champion Henri Oreiller. Repaired in 1963 at a time when the production chain of the 250 GTO was in full operation, it is an authentic unit.
This car has accumulated an interesting competition record after a bad start. Made in 1962, it was much damaged at Montlhéry on October 7 of the same year, killing one of its co-owners the ski champion Henri Oreiller. Repaired in 1963 at a time when the production chain of the 250 GTO was in full operation, it is an authentic unit.
2
Series I Bianco Speciale
2026 SOLD for $ 38.5M by Mecum
The one off 250 GTO released by the factory as a Bianco Speciale was sold for $ 38.5M by Mecum on January 17, 2026, lot S204.
Compare with chassis 3851GT, sold by Bonhams on August 14, 2014, lot 3.
Ferrari 250 GTO Comparison: Chassis 3729GT vs. 3851GT
The Ferrari 250 GTO (1962–1964) is one of the most iconic and valuable cars ever built, with only 36 examples produced. Both chassis here are highly authentic Series I cars from 1962, featuring the classic Scaglietti bodywork, 3.0L Colombo V12 engine (~300 hp), and proven racing pedigree. They share core traits like Ferrari Classiche certification eligibility, continuous history, and unmatched desirability. Key differences lie in originality, color, configuration, racing history, and market context.
Build Date
3729GT: July 1962
3851GT: September 1962
Original Color
3729GT: Bianco Speciale (white) – the only factory white GTO
3851GT: Rosso Corsa (red) – standard Ferrari racing color
Drive Configuration
3729GT: Right-hand drive (one of ~8 RHD GTOs)
3851GT: Left-hand drive
Original Owner
3729GT: John Coombs (UK privateer)
3851GT: Jo Schlesser (French privateer)
Racing History
3729GT: Extensive UK events: Debut 2nd at Brands Hatch (Roy Salvadori); 2nd RAC Tourist Trophy Goodwood (Graham Hill); victories with Jack Sears; later historic events (GTO Tours, Goodwood, etc.). Contributed to Ferrari's 1962 GT championship.
3851GT: Highlight: 2nd overall 1962 Tour de France (Schlesser/Oreiller); successful Italian hill climbs (Colombo, Prinoth); extensively raced into modern historic era. One of the most-raced GTOs.
Condition & Authenticity
3729GT: Maintained/refinished but never fully restored; original character preserved; includes spare "hot rod" GTO-spec engine; Ferrari Classiche certified.
3851GT: Matching-numbers (original engine); heavily used/maintained over decades (unrestored but race-worn); longest single-family ownership (49 years, Fabrizio Violati/Maranello Rosso Collection).
Notable Provenance
3729GT: Drivers: Graham Hill, Mike Parkes, Roy Salvadori, Jack Sears. Long ownership by Jack Sears and Jon Shirley (ex-Microsoft). Eligible for top historic events and GTO reunions.
3851GT: Drivers: Jo Schlesser, Henri Oreiller, Paolo Colombo, Ernesto Prinoth. 49-year ownership by Violati family; centerpiece of Maranello Rosso museum.
Sale Price
3729GT: Upcoming auction (no estimate published); expected $60–80M+ given uniqueness and market growth (private GTO sales have exceeded $70M).
3851GT: $38,115,000 (world auction record at the time).
Uniqueness Factor
3729GT: Highest: One-of-one factory white; standout visual distinction among all GTOs.
3851GT: Strong racing provenance but more "standard" in appearance/spec.
Both are pinnacle collector cars, but 3729GT's one-of-one white color and pristine-yet-used condition make it arguably more distinctive today, potentially commanding a premium over 3851GT's 2014 record in the current market.
Compare with chassis 3851GT, sold by Bonhams on August 14, 2014, lot 3.
Ferrari 250 GTO Comparison: Chassis 3729GT vs. 3851GT
The Ferrari 250 GTO (1962–1964) is one of the most iconic and valuable cars ever built, with only 36 examples produced. Both chassis here are highly authentic Series I cars from 1962, featuring the classic Scaglietti bodywork, 3.0L Colombo V12 engine (~300 hp), and proven racing pedigree. They share core traits like Ferrari Classiche certification eligibility, continuous history, and unmatched desirability. Key differences lie in originality, color, configuration, racing history, and market context.
Build Date
3729GT: July 1962
3851GT: September 1962
Original Color
3729GT: Bianco Speciale (white) – the only factory white GTO
3851GT: Rosso Corsa (red) – standard Ferrari racing color
Drive Configuration
3729GT: Right-hand drive (one of ~8 RHD GTOs)
3851GT: Left-hand drive
Original Owner
3729GT: John Coombs (UK privateer)
3851GT: Jo Schlesser (French privateer)
Racing History
3729GT: Extensive UK events: Debut 2nd at Brands Hatch (Roy Salvadori); 2nd RAC Tourist Trophy Goodwood (Graham Hill); victories with Jack Sears; later historic events (GTO Tours, Goodwood, etc.). Contributed to Ferrari's 1962 GT championship.
3851GT: Highlight: 2nd overall 1962 Tour de France (Schlesser/Oreiller); successful Italian hill climbs (Colombo, Prinoth); extensively raced into modern historic era. One of the most-raced GTOs.
Condition & Authenticity
3729GT: Maintained/refinished but never fully restored; original character preserved; includes spare "hot rod" GTO-spec engine; Ferrari Classiche certified.
3851GT: Matching-numbers (original engine); heavily used/maintained over decades (unrestored but race-worn); longest single-family ownership (49 years, Fabrizio Violati/Maranello Rosso Collection).
Notable Provenance
3729GT: Drivers: Graham Hill, Mike Parkes, Roy Salvadori, Jack Sears. Long ownership by Jack Sears and Jon Shirley (ex-Microsoft). Eligible for top historic events and GTO reunions.
3851GT: Drivers: Jo Schlesser, Henri Oreiller, Paolo Colombo, Ernesto Prinoth. 49-year ownership by Violati family; centerpiece of Maranello Rosso museum.
Sale Price
3729GT: Upcoming auction (no estimate published); expected $60–80M+ given uniqueness and market growth (private GTO sales have exceeded $70M).
3851GT: $38,115,000 (world auction record at the time).
Uniqueness Factor
3729GT: Highest: One-of-one factory white; standout visual distinction among all GTOs.
3851GT: Strong racing provenance but more "standard" in appearance/spec.
Both are pinnacle collector cars, but 3729GT's one-of-one white color and pristine-yet-used condition make it arguably more distinctive today, potentially commanding a premium over 3851GT's 2014 record in the current market.
3
upgraded in 1964 to Series II
2018 SOLD for $ 48M by RM Sotheby's
The technological challenge goes on. The approval of the 250 LM will be refused. While waiting for better days, Ferrari requires Mauro Forghieri and his team to modify the 250 GTO according to the aerodynamic improvement of the LM. Three 250 GTO Series II are built in 1964.
Four Series I cars are upgraded in 1964 to the Series II specifications. One of them was sold for $ 48M by RM Sotheby's on August 25, 2018, lot 247. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This car had been in 1962 the third GTO produced. Tested in May by Phil Hill at the Targa Florio, it is sold by Ferrari a few days later to a friend of Enzo Ferrari, Edoardo Lualdi-Gabardi, who gets excellent results in hill climbing with this car. In April 1964 Corrado Ferlaino leads it to First In Class in the Targa Florio, thus brilliantly validating the transitory concept of the Series II.
The price of a Ferrari 250 GTO depends on its results in period and on its crash history. The car for sale was not damaged. For reasons of preservation, the original engine was removed a few years ago. It is sold with the car.
In May 2018 a price of $ 70M in a private transaction was reported for a 250 GTO with a better race history including the victory at the 1964 Tour de France.
Grok thought :
Quote
RM Sotheby's @rmsothebys Jun 20, 2018
#NEWS: We're absolutely thrilled to announce the most valuable car ever offered at auction: the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO chassis no. 3413GT! A wonderfully original example with impeccable provenance, this #Ferrari's next stop is #RMMonterey! http://bit.ly/250GTO18
Four Series I cars are upgraded in 1964 to the Series II specifications. One of them was sold for $ 48M by RM Sotheby's on August 25, 2018, lot 247. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This car had been in 1962 the third GTO produced. Tested in May by Phil Hill at the Targa Florio, it is sold by Ferrari a few days later to a friend of Enzo Ferrari, Edoardo Lualdi-Gabardi, who gets excellent results in hill climbing with this car. In April 1964 Corrado Ferlaino leads it to First In Class in the Targa Florio, thus brilliantly validating the transitory concept of the Series II.
The price of a Ferrari 250 GTO depends on its results in period and on its crash history. The car for sale was not damaged. For reasons of preservation, the original engine was removed a few years ago. It is sold with the car.
In May 2018 a price of $ 70M in a private transaction was reported for a 250 GTO with a better race history including the victory at the 1964 Tour de France.
Grok thought :
Quote
RM Sotheby's @rmsothebys Jun 20, 2018
#NEWS: We're absolutely thrilled to announce the most valuable car ever offered at auction: the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO chassis no. 3413GT! A wonderfully original example with impeccable provenance, this #Ferrari's next stop is #RMMonterey! http://bit.ly/250GTO18
- This 2018 RM Sotheby's post announces the consignment of chassis 3413GT, a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO with Targa Florio class-winning history and original patina, as the priciest car ever auctioned at that point, destined for their Monterey sale.
- The car sold for $48.4 million in August 2018, shattering records as the "holy grail" of Ferraris due to its racing pedigree and scarcity—only 36 GTOs were built—though a 2023 sale later topped it.
- The post's image captures the car's sleek red Berlinetta profile with number 23, parked on a forested track, highlighting its preserved authenticity and evoking 1960s endurance racing allure.
4
330 LM
2023 SOLD for $ 52M by Sotheby's and RM Sotheby's
While Ferrari was developing the 250 GTO with a 3 liter engine, the FIA once again changed some rules for the 1962 season, introducing the new International Championship of Manufacturers exclusively applicable to GT production car racing classes. Larger displacement prototype race cars would be allowed to participate in some events, but not for points.
Ferrari was certainly not appealed as they built a single 4 liter example in 1962, to be used as a works car. Assembled with the 250 GTO chassis and body, this car is referred as the 330 LM or sometimes the 330 GTO.
It was raced twice in 1962 by the Scuderia Ferrari, finishing second overall and first in class at the 1000 km Nürburgring and not finishing at the 24 hours of Le Mans. It was sold in 1962 to a privateer who changed the engine to a 250 P in the next year. Finished in rosso cina, it was sold for $ 52M in a single lot auction by Sotheby's and RM Sotheby's on November 13, 2023. It had won the Best of Show of the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.
A similar GTO was made in 1963, in parallel to a series of four 330 LMB with a body similar to the 250 Lusso. It was rebuilt in 1965 after a heavy road accident.
Grok thought :
Quote
RM Sotheby's @rmsothebys Oct 19, 2023
One of one. This 1962 Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO is the answer for those seeking the most rare and precious of cars. Offered for the first time in 38 years, this one-of-a-kind GTO comes with a remarkably storied history. For more of its illustrious saga: https://bit.ly/3KHhYVm
Ferrari was certainly not appealed as they built a single 4 liter example in 1962, to be used as a works car. Assembled with the 250 GTO chassis and body, this car is referred as the 330 LM or sometimes the 330 GTO.
It was raced twice in 1962 by the Scuderia Ferrari, finishing second overall and first in class at the 1000 km Nürburgring and not finishing at the 24 hours of Le Mans. It was sold in 1962 to a privateer who changed the engine to a 250 P in the next year. Finished in rosso cina, it was sold for $ 52M in a single lot auction by Sotheby's and RM Sotheby's on November 13, 2023. It had won the Best of Show of the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.
A similar GTO was made in 1963, in parallel to a series of four 330 LMB with a body similar to the 250 Lusso. It was rebuilt in 1965 after a heavy road accident.
Grok thought :
Quote
RM Sotheby's @rmsothebys Oct 19, 2023
One of one. This 1962 Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO is the answer for those seeking the most rare and precious of cars. Offered for the first time in 38 years, this one-of-a-kind GTO comes with a remarkably storied history. For more of its illustrious saga: https://bit.ly/3KHhYVm
- This post promotes the 1962 Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO (chassis 3765), the sole factory-raced example of its kind by Scuderia Ferrari, which secured a class victory and second overall at the 1962 Nürburgring 1000 KM driven by Mike Parkes and Lorenzo Bandini.
- The accompanying video showcases the car's elegant curves, V12 engine, and period racing livery while driving scenic roads, building hype for its first public auction in 38 years with the tagline "One Lifetime. One Car. One Chance."
- Auctioned by RM Sotheby's on November 13, 2023, in New York, it fetched $51.7 million, shattering the prior Ferrari auction record by over $3 million and highlighting the GTO series' unmatched desirability among collectors.
1964 Ferrari 250 LM
2025 SOLD for € 35M by RM Sotheby's
The extraordinary domination of the Ferrari 250 from 1955 had been supported by an excellent adaptation to competition regulations. The 250 GTO, produced mostly in 1962 and 1963, is registered in the Grand Touring class.
The next model is the Ferrari 250 LM unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in November 1963. It is a berlinetta version of the open car prototype 250 P, the first trial by Ferrari of a centrally mounted V12 engine. LM means Le Mans.
The 250 GTO had been narrowly GT homologated. The O letter in GTO, which means Omologato, reflects the problems met by Ferrari to maintain their competitiveness while respecting all the rules. Ferrari's argument that it is a variant of the 250 GT SWB berlinetta is technically difficult to counter.
Ferrari indeed improves his models, but the high end is too elitist. Race regulating organisms harden against him the rules of Grand Touring, which must be based on a commercial production exceeding 100 units. Unqualified cars enter the Prototype category with more powerful competitors.
Ferrari fails to obtain the GT homologation for the LM. Officials have not been duped. It is not really a GT because it is derived from the 250 P prototypes. The LM should also not be a 250 because its 3.3-liter engine is better ranked in the new Ferrari 275 class opened at the same time.
32 Ferrari 250 LM are built, most of them in 1964. The body is made by Scaglietti on a design by Pininfarina. They are not intended for road use.
The sixth 250 LM was built in 1964 and titled 1965. In the ownership of Luigi Chinetti, it was fitted by Piero Drogo with a long nose improving the aerodynamics for the use of Chinetti's North American Racing Team (NART) team.
Its racing history is limited to Le Mans and Daytona endurance racing. In its first outing it finished 1st overall of the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt ahead of a 250 LM entered by another privateer. The more powerful prototypes by Ferrari and Ford did not finish due to various technical issues. A NART backup driver stated later having unofficially piloted the winning car at some time during the night.
Under the banner of NART-Harrah racing, it had accidents in 1968 in both Daytona and Le Mans and finished 9th overall of 1969 Le Mans. It was sold in 1970 from Chinetti to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway museum.
From that collection, it was sold for € 35M from an estimate in excess of € 25M by RM Sotheby's on February 5, 2025, lot 262. Its engine is in matching numbers.
Its image well displaying the long nose at the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is shared by Wikimedia, with attribution Prova MO, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
The next win of a Ferrari at Le Mans 24 will be in 2023.
Grok thought :
Quote
RM Sotheby's @rmsothebys Feb 6
Sold! The 1964 Ferrari 250 LM, outright winner of Le Mans in 1965, has sold for a total of €34,880,000 EUR ($36,344,960 USD) at RM Sotheby’s Paris auction. #RMParis #RMSothebys #Auction #Ferrari #250LM #LeMans
The next model is the Ferrari 250 LM unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in November 1963. It is a berlinetta version of the open car prototype 250 P, the first trial by Ferrari of a centrally mounted V12 engine. LM means Le Mans.
The 250 GTO had been narrowly GT homologated. The O letter in GTO, which means Omologato, reflects the problems met by Ferrari to maintain their competitiveness while respecting all the rules. Ferrari's argument that it is a variant of the 250 GT SWB berlinetta is technically difficult to counter.
Ferrari indeed improves his models, but the high end is too elitist. Race regulating organisms harden against him the rules of Grand Touring, which must be based on a commercial production exceeding 100 units. Unqualified cars enter the Prototype category with more powerful competitors.
Ferrari fails to obtain the GT homologation for the LM. Officials have not been duped. It is not really a GT because it is derived from the 250 P prototypes. The LM should also not be a 250 because its 3.3-liter engine is better ranked in the new Ferrari 275 class opened at the same time.
32 Ferrari 250 LM are built, most of them in 1964. The body is made by Scaglietti on a design by Pininfarina. They are not intended for road use.
The sixth 250 LM was built in 1964 and titled 1965. In the ownership of Luigi Chinetti, it was fitted by Piero Drogo with a long nose improving the aerodynamics for the use of Chinetti's North American Racing Team (NART) team.
Its racing history is limited to Le Mans and Daytona endurance racing. In its first outing it finished 1st overall of the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt ahead of a 250 LM entered by another privateer. The more powerful prototypes by Ferrari and Ford did not finish due to various technical issues. A NART backup driver stated later having unofficially piloted the winning car at some time during the night.
Under the banner of NART-Harrah racing, it had accidents in 1968 in both Daytona and Le Mans and finished 9th overall of 1969 Le Mans. It was sold in 1970 from Chinetti to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway museum.
From that collection, it was sold for € 35M from an estimate in excess of € 25M by RM Sotheby's on February 5, 2025, lot 262. Its engine is in matching numbers.
Its image well displaying the long nose at the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is shared by Wikimedia, with attribution Prova MO, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
The next win of a Ferrari at Le Mans 24 will be in 2023.
Grok thought :
Quote
RM Sotheby's @rmsothebys Feb 6
Sold! The 1964 Ferrari 250 LM, outright winner of Le Mans in 1965, has sold for a total of €34,880,000 EUR ($36,344,960 USD) at RM Sotheby’s Paris auction. #RMParis #RMSothebys #Auction #Ferrari #250LM #LeMans
- The post announces the €34.88 million sale of the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM— the outright 1965 Le Mans winner from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway collection—at RM Sotheby's Paris auction during Retromobile 2025.
- Accompanying video footage depicts the live bidding escalating from €14 million to a €31 million hammer price, with the total including buyer's premium, capturing the auction's high-stakes drama.
- This transaction sets a record as the most expensive Le Mans-winning race car sold at auction and ranks sixth overall for collector cars, driven by the model's rarity and Enzo-era racing pedigree.
1967 Ferrari 412P
2023 SOLD for $ 30M by Bonhams
The FIA introduced a Prototype class for the 1964 season, while the Grand Touring class got new rules requiring that the entering cars are based on a commercial production exceeding 100 units.
These changes disqualified the 250 GTO. Ferrari made a questionable decision by trying to cover both classes by the same development. The new 250 LM berlinetta was in due course rejected by the FIA as it was indeed not based on the 250 GT SWB. It was raced as a prototype in competition beside its sister model with an open cockpit, the 250 P.
The P series of mid engined rear wheel drive prototypes was operated by Ferrari with various models, all of them in very limited quantities. Many cars including the four 250 Ps were converted to upgraded models.
The 330 P3 with a 4 liter V-12 engine was raced in 1966. It was made in 3 units. In 1967 the 412 was its carbureted version. 330, referring to the individual volume of a cylinder, and 412, meaning 4 liter and 12 cylindres, are technically matching in the dual system of Ferrari nomenclatures.
The 412 P population is 4 including 2 upgraded 330 P3. The other 330 P3, unsuccessful in all its races in its original configuration, had been converted as the unique transitional P3/P4 after the 1966 Le Mans 24 and destroyed in 1968.
The 412 Ps were not retained for the works team. They were respectively supplied to NART and Filipinetti for the upgraded 330s, and to Ecurie Francorchamps and Maranello Concessionaires for the original 412s. The top speed of the model was 310 km/h.
The Maranello Concessionaires example is coached as a berlinetta by Fantuzzi. A painstaking 9 year restoration included the refurbishment of its original bodywork and livery to its earliest racing configuration. It is road legal and has been regularly used.
Despite an active racing history in period when it contributed to Ferrari's 1967 World's Constructors Championship short win against Porsche, it retains in matching numbers its 4 liter V-12 engine, the chassis and the gearbox. It was sold for $ 30M by Bonhams on August 18, 2023, lot 67.
A new change by the FIA in 1968 limited to 3 liters the capacity in the Prototype class. The Ferrari 4 liter P range was replaced by the 3 liter 312 P and Maranello Concessionaires terminated their racing team. 312 is equivalent to 250 in terms of Ferrari references.
These changes disqualified the 250 GTO. Ferrari made a questionable decision by trying to cover both classes by the same development. The new 250 LM berlinetta was in due course rejected by the FIA as it was indeed not based on the 250 GT SWB. It was raced as a prototype in competition beside its sister model with an open cockpit, the 250 P.
The P series of mid engined rear wheel drive prototypes was operated by Ferrari with various models, all of them in very limited quantities. Many cars including the four 250 Ps were converted to upgraded models.
The 330 P3 with a 4 liter V-12 engine was raced in 1966. It was made in 3 units. In 1967 the 412 was its carbureted version. 330, referring to the individual volume of a cylinder, and 412, meaning 4 liter and 12 cylindres, are technically matching in the dual system of Ferrari nomenclatures.
The 412 P population is 4 including 2 upgraded 330 P3. The other 330 P3, unsuccessful in all its races in its original configuration, had been converted as the unique transitional P3/P4 after the 1966 Le Mans 24 and destroyed in 1968.
The 412 Ps were not retained for the works team. They were respectively supplied to NART and Filipinetti for the upgraded 330s, and to Ecurie Francorchamps and Maranello Concessionaires for the original 412s. The top speed of the model was 310 km/h.
The Maranello Concessionaires example is coached as a berlinetta by Fantuzzi. A painstaking 9 year restoration included the refurbishment of its original bodywork and livery to its earliest racing configuration. It is road legal and has been regularly used.
Despite an active racing history in period when it contributed to Ferrari's 1967 World's Constructors Championship short win against Porsche, it retains in matching numbers its 4 liter V-12 engine, the chassis and the gearbox. It was sold for $ 30M by Bonhams on August 18, 2023, lot 67.
A new change by the FIA in 1968 limited to 3 liters the capacity in the Prototype class. The Ferrari 4 liter P range was replaced by the 3 liter 312 P and Maranello Concessionaires terminated their racing team. 312 is equivalent to 250 in terms of Ferrari references.
