Ferraris Most Expensive Vintage Car
A 1961 250 GT California Spider SWB achieved the title of the most expensive vintage Ferrari in the world when it was sold for a record breaking US $10,756,000. The sale took place during the second annual Ferrari Legenda E Passione auction in Maranello, Italy.
The auction brings car enthusiasts and Ferrari collectors from all over the world to the birth town of the Italian super car company. However, the 2008 auction attracted one man in particular, his name is Chris Evans. Chris Evans, a famous and successful radio star, attended the opening gala prior to the auction and apparently fell in love with the 1961 250 GT California Spider. It became the most expensive in the world because he had to have it at any cost.
The 250 GT series was one Ferraris most successful ventures, on the street as well as on the race track. The 250 models were customized according to their purpose. For example the 250 GT Berlinetta Tour de France was built especially for the famous and prestigious 24 hour Le Mans race in 1959. The vehicle that would become Ferraris most expensive vintage car is a later version built in 1960 after the success of the 250 GT Berlinetta and destined for road usage.
The 250 GT California Spider SWB was designed for the American market and incorporated some significant technological changes. These included an aluminum body, disc brakes and a 277 hp engine, which was forty more than the Berlinetta; Only 55 of these models were created. The most expensive vintage Ferrari was originally bought by Oscar award winning actor James Coburn, who later on sold it during the auction.
Chris Evans, the proud owner of the most expensive vintage Ferrari, had already amassed an impressive collection before the purchase. The wealthy English radio DJ has a total of 11 Ferraris in his collection. These include a 250 GT SWB, a 250 GT Lusso, a 275 GTB Quad Cam, a 288 GTO, a 308 GTS, an F40, a 246 Dino, two California Spiders, a 599 and a the modern version of the California. The most expensive vintage Ferrari is just one of these mechanical marvels.
He recently loaned seven of his vintage Ferraris in order to raise funds for Children In Need. Seven wealthy individuals were able to bid for a chance to ride one of these spectacular mechanical marvels. Sadly, Ferraris most expensive car was left out as only the white vehicles were driven. This decision was not made because of Chris Evans eccentricity but because he believed that a fleet of white vintage Ferraris cruising along the British highways would make a greater impact. The owner of the most expensive Ferrari ever sold certainly had noble motives; most collectors would surely keep their valuable collection hidden away.
Image Courtesy of the Wikimedia Commons
