An apparently ordinary roadster from Ferrari sold for an incredible sum. Not only is it special with its twelve-cylinder engine – Garáž.cz

Of all the Ferrari models produced, the 250 series is particularly iconic, due to its popularity racing success in the 1950s. So Ferrari’s California import, John von Neumann, suggested the automaker build an open version that could be raced, but then driven home on the axis.

Soon after, the Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider model line was created, built on the long-wheelbase 250 GT chassis, but limited to only 50 units. The manufacturer then decided to build another 56 examples, but onward 250 GT chassis with a shorter wheelbase 2 400 mm.

And this particular piece recently sold with chassis number #1795 GT was the first ever produced. It is further said that RM Sotheby played the part of a Ferrari show car at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1960, after which it was sent back to the factory, with a black interior and exported to the United States. In the meantime, the car had to overcome several famous circuits, among them Nurburgring.

After that, the car went through several owners, including the head of the tobacco giant Philip Morris. In 2008 the car was bought by another collector who had recently passed through RM Sotheby’s auction off. And now hold on, for almost 385 million crowns in turnover.

The value of the car is so high because it is the first ever Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, it has rare hooded headlights, removable factory hard top, Tipo 168 competition twin cylinder engine and the Ferrari Classiche Red Book confirming the originality of the engine, transmission and drive train.

And it is more than clear that the value of an open Ferrari GT 250 will continue to rise, especially with such a history. So we’ll see if it happens to appear at auction again in a few years and how much it costs.