Ferrari – 250 GTO (1962)

If there’s one automobile that charges through history with a symphonic sound louder than thunder, then it has to be the Ferrari 250 GTO. For decades it has been the foremost hero of racing tracks, the most popular Ferrari of all times – and the most expensive classic car that is occasionally traded on the open market.

The aluminium body designed by Giotto Bizzarrini and produced by Carrozzeria Scaglietti clothed a tubular frame. The car was powered by a three-litre V12 engine supplied by a powerful battery of six Weber 38 DCN carburettors. A newly developed five-speed gearbox organised the flow of power to the rear axle. This example comes to the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este as the 24th out of 36 250 GTOs built. On 28th December 1962, Ferrari delivered this racing car to Pierre Dumay. With the Ferrari painted in Silver Metallic – and further ornamented with a central tricolour in blue, white and red – Dumay started the 24 Hour Race of Le Mans with his copilot. The eminently respectable result was fourth place in the overall standings. After a long and action-packed racing career, this 250 GTO is presented today in precisely the same configuration as for entry in Le Mans back in 1963.