Italian automaker Ferrari is a brand that really doesn't need to be introduced, but it's hard to refrain as there is so much to be said about the quality, beauty and prestige of these cars. In 2015, a 250 Scaglietti Ferrari 1964 LM was auctioned at Sotheby's for an incredible $ 17,6 million. according to revered auction staff. While not the most expensive rare Ferrari ever sold, its price tag was impressive nonetheless. What makes this model so valuable? The answer involves many factors, including the reputation of the brand, the unique place in Ferrari history occupied by this vehicle and its rarity. The $ 250 million Ferrari 17,6 LM deserves a close look, for those who happen to be big fans.
The history of the Ferrari 250 LM
The Ferrari 250 LM was presented to the world by Ferrari and Pininfarina in 1963 at the Paris Motor Show. The design of the 1963 model was similar to that of the 250 P with a sports prototype, also known as the SP chassis, and the renowned 250 GT V12 engine, qualifying the vehicle for track competition. At the time, the prototype was a groundbreaking work of design and engineering genius, with adjustments aimed at balancing the weight distribution and creating a small racing car with a weight of 850 kg. Ferrari strove to have the new prototype recognized as a road car, but this request was refused and it remained a classification prototype, disqualified as a road car, nevertheless, it would race.
Production run from 1964 to 1966
The 250 LM entered the LeMans race in 1965 with drivers Jochen Rindt and Masten Gregory celebrating a victory in first place. Winning the race was not as easy as it might sound, as before the competition designer Mario Forghieri and his team had some issues to work out with the prototype, which made it possible to adapt the big engine to the rear of the pilot while degree of reliability and balance. After being successful at LeMans in 1965, there was still a long way to go to create a reasonable model that would make the car eligible for legal road status for production. The ruling FIA had already spoken out against them and it was time to get back to the table. The difficulty of the task was to maintain its original purpose while still meeting the certification requirements, which they were able to do with serious re-engineering. In the end, the battle was won and the powers of the time had granted the second request for recognition. The Ferrari 250 LM had earned its place as a racer and as a legal car for the road, opening up the mock-up for trade to those interested in its sporting appeal versus groups dedicated to track racing.
What makes the 1964 250 LM so special?
We cannot fail to mention the obvious in our assessment, namely the Ferrari brand name which can stand out very well, associated with the Scaglietti design, but it goes way beyond that. According to the Robb report, there were only 32 of these cars ever built. Some would even recommend it to be the best Ferrari ever to be built, and while that is arguably true, that claim is subject to speculation. However, the example offered for auction at Sotheby's in the UK was undeniably the best of its kind to date. existence. This specific car was designed with a 5-speed manual transmission in its original iteration, with a 12cc V3 engine developing 286 horsepower. While the original wasn't road legal, it was pretty darn fast and made for GT racing.
Undisputed value?
The value of such a fine to be collected is established by estimates, but even more by the price a collector is willing to pay for an item. The Sotheby's auction was proof that the 1964 250 LM enjoyed great value in the world of Ferrari enthusiasts and those who wanted to invest in this rare car. It sold for $ 17,6 million, while the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione, estimated at roughly the same value, failed to attract a buyer at the event. This gives us a certain level of confidence in attributing the sale price to the rare value of 250 LM.
Latest Thoughts
The 250 Ferrari 1964 LM is a rare vehicle that has made its way from prototype to road version and has proven itself. It is one of those iconic models that collectors will claim by giving them the opportunity to own one of similar value. This is a special limited edition that was only produced from 1964, or 1963 if you count the prototype, until 1966. In two years, there had been less than three dozen, this which made them rare cars from the time they came out of the series. production lines. A car that is over 55 years old and still in excellent condition is a rare find these days and unfortunately not all surviving models can boast of this form of preservation over the decades. When we discuss the value of this rare, recently auctioned collector car, it's a topic Ferrari enthusiasts would discuss from opposing angles, depending on their personal favorites, but the 2015 auction seems to have settled the issue. debate once and for all. It's always a pleasure to see an iconic vehicle like this put on a good show and maintain its performance value, even though it is auctioned off and the 250 Ferrari 1964 LM certainly accomplished it.
