250 Testa Rossa

1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

Offered by RM Sotheby’s | Detroit, Michigan | February 2024

Photo Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

At the end of the 1957 World Sportscar Championship season, Ferrari debuted the 250 Testa Rossa aimed a the 3.0-liter class. Ferrari built about 33 examples by 1962, including 19 customer cars. There were 19, unclear if the same 19, that were bodied by Scaglietti, including this one. But this car does not have its original Scaglietti body anymore.

The auction catalog is not complete yet, however, what is there does not mention at all that the car carries a replica body. It just brags of the original engine and gearbox. The engine is a 3.0-liter V12 that made 300 horsepower. The TR was a beast, winning Le Mans three times, Sebring three times, the Targa Florio, and three WSC manufacturer titles. This car was sold new to a Brazilian privateer and was raced at Interlagos in period before having its pontoon fenders removed between the ’59 and ’60 seasons.

It was re-bodied in the style of a 250 GT Berlinetta in the early ’60s and made its way out of South America and to the U.K. in 1985. In 1989 it was fitted with a replica pontoon-fender body (the one you see here) during a restoration. Under British ownership beginning in 1996, the car was used at quite a few historic events, which is great, including the Le Mans Classic, among many others.

It failed to sell at an RM auction in 2010 with a $10.7 million bid and then was purchased by its current owner, Les Wexner, the guy who founded Bath & Body Works and made Victoria’s Secret into what it is today. Fun fact that Wikipedia points out very early: he was also a long-time buddy-buddy of Jeffrey Epstein.

Forbes points out that this re-bodied Testa Rossa could fetch $38 million, which may seem steep for what is essentially a re-creation of what it originally once was. But, these things are rare and you’re paying for that serial number and the history associated with it. You may be able to read more about it here.

250 GT Ellena

1958 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Ellena

Offered by Bonhams | Chichester, U.K. | July 9, 2021

Photo – Bonhams

Ferrari’s 250 GT line of cars spawned many sub-models, beginning with 1954’s GT Europa. In 1955, Ferrari introduced the 250 GT Coupe, which could initially be had as a Boano or Ellena variant. The cars were named after their respective coachbuilders, even though both were from the same family. Felice Mario Boano’s namesake company was only around from 1954 through 1957, at which time he renamed the company Carrozzeria Ellena after his son-in-law, who took over the business that would last through 1966.

The two coupes are distinct from each other, but both share the same 3.0-liter Colombo V12 good for 237 horsepower. Only 50 examples of the 250 GT Ellena were built between 1957 and 1958. This one, like others, features a wonderful two-tone paint scheme with a maroon lower body and a silver roof.

This car, #25, was first registered in Rome and made its way to the U.S. in the 1970s. It spent over two decades in a private New York collection and was restored in the U.K. in 2005. It now carries an estimate of $970,000-$1,200,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $707,269.

Ferrari 250 GT Lusso

1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Lusso

Offered by RM Sotheby’s | Milan, Italy | June 15, 2021

Photo Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

I’ve been wanting to feature one of these for years, but I’ve been holding out for the perfect color. I’m still looking for that last bit, but I thought it was time, regardless. Silver looks good here. At least it’s not red. The 250 GT/L (or Lusso, for “luxury”) was the last hurrah for Ferrari’s 250 line, which dated back to 1952. The Lusso was sold between 1962 and 1964.

The body is by Scaglietti, and it’s aggressive, beautiful, and really just the best classic Ferrari shape. It’s the best “classic” Ferrari coupe there is, period. Power is from a 3.0-liter Colombo V12 making approximately 240 horsepower. Top speed was 150 mph.

This is the 65th of 350 produced, and it’s got Ferrari Classiche certification. The restoration was completed 11 years ago. I was once walking through London near Lord’s Cricket Ground and I heard a distant rumble. I stopped. I turned. And a marron Lusso buzzed past. It was amazing. These are incredible cars, and the price reflects it: the estimate here is $1,985,000-$2,550,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Not sold.

250 Europa GT Alloy

1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Alloy by Pinin Farina

Offered by Bonhams | Scottsdale, Arizona | January 15, 2015

Photo - Bonhams

Photo – Bonhams

The Ferrari 250 is one of Ferraris most iconic models. The line was in production, with a number of different models, from 1953 through 1964. The Europa name was first used in 1953 on the 250 Europa. Confusingly, the 250 Europa GT would debut in 1954. It was the first road car to use Ferrari’s Colombo V-12.

That V-12 is of 3.0-liter capacity and makes 240 horsepower in this car. The difference between the Europa and Europa GT was slight, visually. The real change was the engine. The GT also had a slightly shorter wheelbase, less weight, a revised suspension and a higher top speed.

This car is one of only two Europa GTs that were bodied with Pinin Farina’s legendary design in lightweight aluminium alloy. It is a competition spec car, prepared by the Ferrari factory for the Mille Miglia – a race it would never end up entering (until the 1999 classic version, that is).

This is one of only 27 Pinin Farina-bodied Europa GTs and one of only two bodied in aluminium. And as it was originally built with competition in mind, it would make for a great car for historic tours. You can buy it for between $2,800,000-$3,400,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Not sold.

Update II: Sold, Bonhams Amelia Island 2017, $2,227,500.

Foers Ibex

2007 Foers Ibex 250

Offered by H&H Auctions | Buxton, U.K. | November 12, 2014

Photo - H&H Auctions

Photo – H&H Auctions

Foers was founded by off-roader John Foers in the 1980s. They’re still in business and are based in Northumberland. Basically, what they sell is a way to take a Land Rover and make it even more off-road capable.

The Ibex is available as a kit or pre-built and it’s based around Land Rover running gear. Foers supplies a spaceframe chassis that grants more ground clearance. This example has a Range Rover diesel engine. It has less than 700 miles on it since completion.

These are unique vehicles that actually look pretty nice considering they are usually assembled in your neighbor’s garage. Only about 100 have been completed thus far, though there’s still time to build your own. This one should sell for between $25,750-$29,000. Click here for more info and here for the rest of H&H’s auction lineup.

Update: Not sold.

Series I Pininfarina Cabriolet

1958 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet by Pinin Farina

Offered by Gooding & Company | Scottsdale, Arizona | January 17, 2014

1958 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet by Pinin Farina

The Ferrari 250 GT line of cars is not only one of the longest model runs in Ferrari history – but also the most legendary. What started with the 250 Europa GT in 1954 would cycle through a number of well-known road and race models. The 250 GT Cabriolet by Pinin Farina would be the first one to lose its top.

New for 1957, the Series I Cabriolet from Pinin Farina went head-to-head against the California Spider (which was from rival design house Scaglietti). This car cost almost $15,000 in 1958 – strangely about $3,000 more than a California Spider. The California is worth more than twice as much today.

There are differences between the two cars. This one is a little bit softer, the nose a little lower and more aerodynamic. A quick glance at it might fool the unsuspecting, but it is clearly not a California Spider. The engine is still a 3.0-liter Colombo V-12 making 240 horsepower.

This car has had just four owners from new and is one of only 40 Series I Cabriolets built (Pinin Farina would build about 200 more “Series II” Cabriolets after Series I production ended in 1959). This car has a pre-sale estimate of $4,000,000-$5,000,000 which is a nice price when compared to a California Spider. And I have to say, I think this car just might be prettier. Click here for more info and here for more from Gooding & Co.

Update: Sold $6,160,000.

Custom-Bodied 250 Europa GT

1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Coupe by Pinin Farina

Offered by RM Auctions | New York, New York | November 21, 2013

1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Coupe by Pinin Farina

The 250 is one of Ferrari’s best-known classic model lines and also one of the longest lasting. The 250 started as a race car in 1952. A road-going version came a year later and the famous 250 GT series of cars started with the 250 Europa GT in 1954.

The Europa GT was the first road car to use the 3.0-liter Colombo V-12 engine. It made 217 horsepower in its introductory form. This model was also (for the most part) the last of the coachbuilt 250 GT cars. After this, nearly every 250 GT shared more of a standardized design, based on which model it was, of course.

This is number six of eight custom-bodied Europa GTs. It is definitely unique with that long sloping nose and a very alien looking grille with the big prancing horse in the center. The interior is orange (why not?) and was tailored by Parisian luxury designer Hermès.

Sold new in Rome, this car soon found its way to Seattle where it raced competitively (only once, although it did win its class). The restoration was completed in 2006 and it has won awards at the Cavallino Classic and Amelia Island Concours. This is the 26th Europa GT built of a total of 43 and it is the only one with this custom Pinin Farina coachwork. It is expected to sell for between $2,250,000-$2,750,000. Click here for more info and here for the rest of RM’s lineup.

Update: Sold $2,420,000.

Ferrari 250 GT Speciale

1959 Ferrari 250 GT SWB “Competition” Berlinetta Speciale by Bertone

Offered by RM Auctions | New York, New York | November 21, 2013

1959 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Competition Berlinetta Speciale by Bertone

So many custom-bodied cars in this sale! This one is a Ferrari 250 GT SWB Competition that looks like no other 250 GT SWB Competition. In 1959, Ferrari introduced the model and built 176 examples. It was a GT race car for use in sports car racing all over the world. After racing it, you could then drive the car home on the road. Racing was more interesting when your daily driver could be competitive on track, don’t ya think?

Only six of the 176 received non-Ferrari coachwork. This is one of two by Bertone and the only one with a design that looks like it came from 10+ years from the future. Imagine taking a race car today, sending it to a coachbuilder, and taking home a very friendly-looking road car with race car mechanicals. The engine is a 3.0-liter V-12 making in the neighborhood of 276 horsepower.

This car was shown at the 1960 Geneva Auto Salon and at the Turin Motor Show later that same year. It has been restored twice in its life and has won awards at Pebble Beach twice (that’s how long this thing has been on the circuit). It’s absolutely stellar. It should sell for between $6,500,000-$8,500,000. Check out more here and click here for more from RM in New York City.

Update: Sold $7,040,000.

Ferrari 250 LM

1964 Ferrari 250 LM by Scaglietti

Offered by RM Auctions | New York, New York | November 21, 2013

1964 Ferrari 250 LM by Scaglietti

The Ferrari 250 LM was the last Ferrari to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was the car that Ford came along and knocked off the pedestal. The 250 LM, while built in the same era as the 250 GT road car, was unrelated and was more of a prototype race car than a variant of any road car.

This 250 LM is #24 of 32 built. It has been in a state of preservation for almost 40 years, following a “sympathetic” restoration in the mid-1970s. The car was sold new in California and used as a road car. The original owner sold it to the grandson of E.L. Cord in Beverly Hills. In 1968, it was purchased by some Ecuadorian racers who finally put this thing on the track. It’s competition history includes the following:

  • 1968 24 Hours of Daytona – 8th & 1st in class (with John Gunn, Guillermo Ortega, & Fausto Merello)
  • 1968 12 Hours of Sebring – c.59th, DNF (with Gunn, Ortega, & Merello)
  • 1969 24 Hours of Daytona – c.68th, DNF (with Merello, Edward Alvarez, & Umberto Maglioli)

After Daytona in 1968, the car went home with its owner to Ecuador where it competed in sports car races until 1974. The car was then sold and it went to England where it was lightly freshened after years on the circuit. In 1983, it moved to a collection in Japan. It is considered to be the most original 250 LM in existence.

The engine (which is behind the driver) is a 3.3-liter V-12 making 320 horsepower. This is a car worth millions of dollars (estimate $12,000,000-$15,000,000) and it’s one of the finest examples of its kind. Click here for more info and here for more from RM’s monster New York sale.

Update: Sold $14,300,000.

One-Off Ferrari 250 Europa by Vignale

1953 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupe by Vignale

Offered by Bonhams | Carmel, California | August 16, 2013

1953 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupe by Vignale

Photo – Bonhams

The Ferrari 250 Europa was the first road car variant of the Ferrari 250 – the model line that pushed Ferrari over the edge from race car builder who built road cars to road car builder who builds race cars.

This particular Europa was bodied with a one-off body by Vignale and shown at the 1954 New York Auto Show. It was purchased from Ferrari by Luigi Chinetti – the longtime U.S. importer for Ferrari and the man responsible for introducing the brand to America. He had the car painted red for the auto show. Chinetti owned the car for about five years before selling it. It bounced around and ended up in California – where it was painted purple and a Chevy V8 was installed.

A model-correct, 200 horsepower 3.0-liter V12 is in the car now. The car was bought in unrestored, original and slightly modified/damaged repaired condition in 2004-ish by Tom Shaughnessy, renowned Ferrari rescuer.

In 2009, the car went to its current owner in Switzerland, who painstakingly restored it to the exact look it had on the Auto Show stand in 1954. Only 20 250 Europas were built (not to be confused with the 250 Europa GT). Only one of them has a body that looks like this. It is expected to sell for between $2,800,000-$3,400,000. Click here for more info and here for more from Bonhams’ Quail Lodge Auction.

Update: Sold $2,805,000.

Update II: Sold, RM Sotheby’s “Driven by Disruption,” December 2015, $3,300,000.

Update III: Sold, RM Sotheby’s “Leggenda e Passione,” September 2017, $3,440,850.