Ferrari is perhaps the most well-known supercar brand but which model is the most expensive Ferrari ever? Most of its reputation is thanks to their rich motorsports heritage (even their ticker symbol is called RACE on the stock exchange). Nowadays their expensive street-going cars are as popular as the competing vehicles and buying one takes years. The second-hand market for Ferraris is lively to say the least, often new releases go multiple times over MSRP. And recently they created a FUV (Ferrari Utility Vehicle) called Purosangue.
The most expensive Ferrari: The 250 GTO

Price: 70 million dollars ($$$) (sold privately to David MacNeil)
Model name: Ferrari 250 GTO
Year: 1963
Chassis: 4153GT
The most expensive Ferrari is the 250 GTO to our surprise it is not red (silver with blue/red or a yellow stripe)… but there are good reasons why it is so expensive. Racing heritage. This car won Tour de France in 1964 (driven by Lucien Bianchi whose grandnephew is former F1 driver Jules Bianchi who in turn is the godfather of Charles Leclerc) which was a competition held from 1899 until 1986. Ferrari was especially successful at TdF, winning 12 times between 51 and 86. This car was also second in its class (GT3) at the 24 Le Mans in 1963. It was also never crashed during its racing career, meaning the most expensive Ferrari is in pristine condition.
How much does the Ferrari 250 GTO cost?
This particular car was sold for 70 million dollars making it the most expensive Ferrari. The scarcity of the 250 GTO makes it very rare, only 36 were made and a handful or two are left. Most of them are valued between 10-100 million dollars, we wouldn’t be surprised if we get news of one selling for 100+ million dollars. But when this car was new in 1962, it cost 18 000$ which was a lot for back then (around 188 000$ in todays valuation), still it would have been a steal compared to how much its value has risen. To get it though, you had to be personally approved by Enzo Ferrari.

The design of the most expensive Ferrari
The Ferrari 250 GTO was created for Group 3 GT racing to compete against cars like the Shelby Cobra and Jaguar E-Type. It was initially designed by Giotto Bizzarrini, but after he and other engineers left Ferrari following a disagreement with Enzo Ferrari, the project was taken over by Mauro Forghieri and Scaglietti. The car’s aerodynamic design, developed through wind tunnel testing and track trials, included a long nose, small radiator opening, and rear spoiler for better stability and speed. Built with a lightweight aluminum body and a tubular steel frame, the 250 GTO used proven components like a 3.0-liter V12 engine, A-arm front suspension, and disc brakes, producing 296 horsepower. The rumble of the engine is distinct, deep and powerful. Quite literally like a symphony on wheels.
The 250 GTO’s interior even though the most expensive Ferrari was simple and focused on racing needs. It had no carpeting, headliner, or speedometer, and the seats were cloth-covered. Ventilation came from external air inlets, and the iconic exposed metal gear shift gate was a standout feature. These design choices made the car lightweight and fast, helping it excel on the track. Its rarity, performance, and iconic design have made it one of the most legendary Ferraris ever built. The steering wheel is a big but thin and made of wood which looks intimidating at first.

But how is it to drive it?
There is a fantastic video of a hillclimb pov. People who have driven it say it is an experience like non other. The car handles beautifully, the steering is precise. While stopping the car is secure and the gearshifts are clean. Everything about that car is beautifully balanced. No wonder it is as talked about as it is. Most of the current owners of the 250 GTO-s are not looking to sell their cars and hardly think about putting a price tag on it. It’s a collectible that can only go up in value in the future. There will never be more of these.