For an auction as exclusive as the one held every year at the Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach, it's expected to find many examples of exotic and one-of-a-kind Ferraris for sale. This year however was something quite special. A total of six rare and classic Ferraris sold for more than a million dollars each during the three and a half hour auction. In fact, one even went for more than $11 million while the cheapest came in at a mere $1,182,500. Want to see what being rich looks like? Read on.
1960 Ferrari California 250 LWB Spyder Competizione. From James Colburn to Ferris Bueller (though his was a replica), the Ferrari California Spyder is a favorite amongst many enthusiasts. This particular 1960 example just set a new world auction record for a Long Wheelbase version with a final price of $11,275,000. Not only is it an extremely rare model, but it's been built only nine times for competition. This LWB California Spyder came from the Sherman M. Wolf collection where it had been since 1979. It's had just two previous owners.
The proud new owner has opted to remain anonymous and we fully understand their reason(s) as to why; anyone with that much money to spend likely wants their privacy. Bottom line: this Ferrari is worth more money than most of us will ever see in our lifetimes.
1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder. Powered by a 280 horsepower V12 engine, this is one of only 37 covered headlight examples of the 250 GT SWB (short wheelbase) California Spyder ever built. Along with a career on the racetrack, California Spyders were mostly synonymous with the likes of Hollywood stars and beautiful drives along the California coast. All told, Ferrari built just 106 California Spyders, 56 of which were on the short wheelbase chassis. First sold new in 1962 to an owner from Belgium, this one made its way stateside in 1970.
It then went through a couple more owners before it was restored in the 1990s. It's been displayed at numerous shows and also took a class award at a previous Pebble Beach event. It just sold for $8,580,000.
1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta "Tour de France". Featured in the Hollywood classic film "The Love Bug", this 250 GT LWB is one of just nine examples ever built. Powered by a 240 horsepower single overhead camshaft V12, the name "Tour de France" came about when the model had its defining racing success at the 1956 Tour de France Automobile, a grueling 3,600 mile week-long event. This car's first owner raced in the late 50s before selling it where it eventually ended up being in the hands of Walt Disney studios. A later owner actually left it on the side of the Hollywood freeway.
It was soon sold again and given a full restoration in the mid-1990s. It later took part in a number of vintage rallies including the Tour Auto of April 1998 along with the Mille Miglia. It's also been fully certified by the Ferrari factory's certification program and still performs flawlessly on the track. Someone just paid $6,710,000 for it.
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta. Back at the 1966 Paris Motor Show, Ferrari unveiled its successor to the 250, the 275 GTB. Powered by a 300 horsepower V12, the car is named for its four-cam valve actuation. This only added a slightly raised hood, therefore preserving Pininfarina's timelessly beautiful exterior design. Like its predecessor very few were built, approximately 330 examples. Due to its rarity, wonderful performance, and its classic good looks, the 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta has become one of the most celebrated grand touring Ferraris of all time.
This early European-spec example was first sold in 1967 by the official Ferrari dealer in Rome. Not until 1972 did it arrive in the US where it later passed through several owners. It was purchased again in 1995 and was given a mild restoration and repainted in its original Blue Sera. Upon completion, it's been stored in a climate-controlled garage without any exposure to rain and has been maintained by Ferrari experts ever since - it still has its original gearbox. Final auction price: $1,485,000
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 "Competizione Speciale". Because the 250 GTO was so successful in road racing events, Ferrari wanted to homologate a version of the 275 GTB for the GT racing class. Since the production car wasn't designed to compete, Ferrari went ahead and built special cars for this purpose. Called the 275 GTB/C Speciale, only three were made. Ferrari later built a road car version and named it the 275 GTB/4. Power came from a 300 horsepower four overhead cam V12 mated to a five-speed manual. This particular car, chassis 09813, stands apart for a number of reasons.
After it was in an accident, a famous Ferrari collector/TV producer and personal friend of old man Enzo himself, bought and shipped it to Modena. There he commissioned three famed Ferrari shops to rebuild the car. It's extremely unique due to the owner's access to Enzo and his factory where it truly became a one-off "Speciale". It sold for $1,485,000.
1965 Ferrari 275 GTB by Carrozzeria Scaglietti. Like the previously shown 275 GTB, this successor to the 250 GTO is equipped with a powerful V12 engine. Knowing that the outgoing 250 GTO needed some added luxury, Ferrari was intent on making its replacement a proper Gran Turismo. When it had its debut at the 1964 Paris Motor Show, the Pininfarina designed exotic was lauded not only for its elegance but also because the Spider variant, the GTS, appeared alongside it. Just 250 short-nose examples were made because about a year after its debut, a longer nose version was launched.
This aided in aerodynamic downforce at high speeds, but enthusiasts have usually preferred the first-series cars' proportions. This restored example was sent to Scaglietti in Modena for bodywork in 1964. Built for American roads, it was equipped with Borrani wire wheels, three Weber carburetors and a Cologne radio. It's had several owners over the years and has been meticulously maintained throughout its lifetime. It also has Ferrari Classiche certification. Final bill of sale: $1,182,500