Ferrari 250 GT SWB Breaks Record with $10,894,900 Sale
This past weekend’s Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event by RM Auctions in Maranello saw a new record set for the sale of a car at a vintage auction. British radio personality Chris Evans shelled out a whopping $10,894,900 for a pristine 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB, the 13th example of just 56 built. The price paid for the car blew away initial estimates by RM and just topped the $10,756,000 paid for a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO at Sotheby’s Monaco in 1990.
In addition to being a simply stunning example of a Ferrari (witness the gallery below), the record-setting car holds the added distinction of being the former property of actor James Coburn. Much as we like The Magnificent Seven, we do think Evans may have gone a bit overboard here.
+ Autoblog: 1961 Ferrari California Spyder sells for record $10,894,900
(Click through the jump to read the official RM Auctions press release.)
Maranello, Italy (May 18th, 2008) Car enthusiasts and Ferrari collectors from across the globe descended on Maranello, Italy this past weekend for RM Auctions' second annual "Ferrari Leggenda e Passione" auction event to witness a new auction record established for a 1961 Ferrari California Spyder formerlly owned by actor James Coburn. The rare car exceeeded all expectations by selling for a world record auction price for a vintage car at auction in the amount of $10,894,900 U.S., surpassing the previous record set at Sotheby's Monaco in 1990 for a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO at $10,756,000 U.S.The annual RM Ferrari auction held in association with Sotheby's, put under the hammer an unrivalled collection of historic Ferraris at the legendary home of Ferrari in Maranello, Italy. Among the attendees was one extremely well known Ferrari enthusiast, and British television and radio personality Chris Evans. Chris, accompanied by his wife, golf pro and writer Natasha Shishmanian, attended the Gala reception on Saturday, May 17th where he fell for the considerable charms of a black 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder. The following day, Chris made the successful bid for his dream machine, which will now take pride of place in his own celebrated collection and the honor of "the most valuable car sold in auction history."
Comments
Reilly
And it's not even red.
The Stig
I <3 Ferraris but dang.........
Russ Bellinis
It would seem that people who spend more than $1,000,000.00 for a car seem to lose sense in direct proportion to the amount over $1,000,000.00 the price goes! He spent over $10,000,000.00 for a 4-5 million dollar car, max. A 375 NART Spider sold in Monterey a couple of years ago for $4.75 million. Is a 250 with a solid axle worth more than a 375 with irs?
driving course
I'm very glad it's gone to a good home and I'm sure it's a sound investment.
Jeff
What a gorgeous machine. Absolutely beautiful. But almost $11,000,000 is a bit much. I don't think it's worth more than a 250 GTO. Oh well, I'm probably not the target for an auction like that- for 11 Mil, I'd rather buy a lot of real estate, invest a lot, and then a modern Ferrari instead.
son in law
If I'm a UK citizen I think I would want to know WTF a radio show host is being paid with my tax dollars.
Pissing away 10 million on any car indicates you have unlimited financial resources. Do BBC DJ's really make that kind of scratch? If so I have a GREAT on air presence so sign me up!
Deofol
I'm sorry but... What an idiot.
I don't care what kind of car it is, that is just asinine.
The sadest part is nobody will ever drive it.
+2 - it's not even red.
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M. Dillon
The way I see it,some people pay millions for painting,wine,etc. Does it make sense to me?! Sure,because I was taught that people have a right to spend their hard earned money on whatever they please.
Which explains why most of the above critics will never have the joy on spends millions on a car,and not blinking an eye at it,in their lifetime.
For the record,the price makes sense to Me. A rare Ferrari,in black,in mint condition,that was own by James Coburn(who was also a well known car collector,as well).
john
If you really, really must have it, and you have the money, why not? If I fell into a whole lot (over a billion dollars) of money, I'd go to Barret Jackson and just bid 100,000 on any car I wanted, and bid till I broke records if someone upped the ante. Why not? It doesn't hurt me significantly, and it doesn't hurt the previous owner.
Mena
I thought these were all California's. And I didn't realize that the California's were LWB. Rare car indeed but I'd rather have a '67 275 GTB/4.
dante
The SWB California replaced the LWB California.
Joshua
Why is everyone harping on the car not being red. It may be the color of the race team, but the road cars look just as good, sometimes even better in other colors. The black here looks amazing and there isn't a ferrari road car that looks good in red sense the demise of the 575.
As far as Evans new toy goes, I hope he takes it out for a proper drive now and then. Such a car deserves better than a life in a dehumidified "retirement home."
Mena
Thanks dante.
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