1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 N.A.R.T. Spider by Scaglietti
Offered by RM Auctions | Monterey, California | August 16-17, 2013
This is one of the most valuable Ferraris in the world. It was born out of a 275 GTB/4 and Luigi Chinetti’s (correct) feeling that convertibles go over big in America. He talked Enzo Ferrari into building a run of 25 convertibles based on the 275 GTB/4. Only ten ended up being built and Chinetti moved each one of them at $8,000 each in 1967 and 1968. They all carry the name “N.A.R.T.” in honor of Chinetti’s North American Racing Team that made Ferrari such a success in the States.
I actually had reservations about featuring this car because the “proceeds are going to charity” and at some auctions that’s a big red flag because the final selling price of the car tends to be wildly inflated over the actual value. But this car has an actual pre-sale estimate posted of between $14,000,000-$17,000,000 and I don’t think anyone dropping that kind of cash is really gonna bump the price just to feel good about themselves and make everyone see how great of a person they are (which is what charity cars at auctions are all about – showing you are a decent person even though you’re rich… that and the tax write-off).
The engine is a 300 horsepower 3.3-liter V-12 and the car was bought new by Eddie Smith, Sr. – directly from his friend Chinetti, to whom he traded back a coupe version he had just purchased. Prior to the coupe, Smith owned a California Spider, so he obviously had taste. When Smith died in 2007, the car passed into his son’s hands and has not been used often – which is why they are selling it and donating whatever it brings to charity.
This is essentially a one-owner car – which is something you’ll never see again with regards to a N.A.R.T. Spider. This car is a big deal, and RM is making you register with them specially if you want to bid on this car. You can find out more here and see the rest of RM’s lineup here.
Update: Sold $27,500,000.
S/N: 10709
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