A rare 1957 Ferrari racing car has been sold in auction for record of 8 million pounds last weekend . And interestingly in these days of economic slow down the couple who had acquired the property chose to remain anonymous. They have gifted themselves a black Ferrari which has been till date the highest auctioned sell off. The buy has become a world record for the most expensive automobile ever sold at such auction.
The car that had been bought by the couple is a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa and was described correctly as one of the most alluring racing Ferrari cars that one could possess. The car has bright red nose, sweeping black lines, huge headlights and other features that beguiled the buyer. The auction of the car took place on Sunday at Ferrari's factory and test circuit at Maranello. The place is situated in Northern Italy. The car really lives up to its name - Ferrari Leggenda e Passione. The hammer price of the car had been decided at 7.2 million pound but the 10% buyer's premium for the auction have pushed the total expense of the car to record books. The auction was organized by RM with Sotheby's and they have reportedly said that the price of the car bought was nearly 1.8 million pound more than the previous highest amount paid for such a car at an auction. The last record of the car bought at such huge price was set at the same event last year.
Max Girardo the RM managing director of Europe said, "The historical significance of this car attracted a bidding war as collectors from around the world - both in the room and on the telephone - competed to secure one of the most alluring ... Ferrari racing cars." The mystery couple has now one of the 22 pontoon fender model of Ferrari.
The car is not a general one. It had been a race winner and a powerful beast. This two seater Testa Rossa took part in 19 international championship races from the period 1958 to 1961 of which 10 were won by the car. When RM was asked about the buyer, it had declined to identify the buyer saying it against rules of auction. There were other fleets of cars too in the auction but not every lot in the auction could have been sold. There was 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 which was sold for 6.4 million pounds and the 1950 Maserati 250 F with Stirling Moss was offered for 1.3 million pound.
The auction had been a great event with the buy and RM was quick to take its pride to next level and said that their shows and auctions always attract and invite people of such taste who wish to possess such antique items for the sake of their originality and beauty. The 'pontoon fender' model is one such beautiful antique Ferrari car which any owner will take pride in.
