View source for Ferrari 250 GTO

{{short description|Car model}}
{{about|the 1962–1964 GT racing car|the 1984–1987 Group B racing car|Ferrari 288 GTO}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Ferrari 250 GTO
| image = 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO (chassis 4153GT) 2.95.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO (chassis 4153GT)
| manufacturer = [[Ferrari]]
| aka = 
| production = 1962–1964<br />(36 produced)
| assembly = 
| designer = {{plainlist |
* [[Giotto Bizzarrini]]
* [[Scaglietti|Sergio Scaglietti]]
}}
| class = [[Sports car]]
| body_style = 2-door [[berlinetta]]
| platform = 
| related = {{plainlist |
* [[Ferrari 330#330 LMB|330 LMB]]
* [[Ferrari P#250 LM|250 LM]]
}}
| layout = [[FR layout]]
| engine = {{plainlist |
* 2,953 cc
* [[Ferrari Colombo engine#250|''Tipo 168 Comp/62'' 60º V12]]
* [[Overhead camshaft#Single Overhead camshatf|SOHC]] 2 valves per [[cylinder]] [[valvetrain]] configuration
* 6 [[Weber carburetor|Weber 38 DCN]] [[carburetor]]s
* [[Compression ratio]] 9.7:1<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/spec/134/Ferrari-250-GTO.html|title=1962 - 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO specifications|website=ultimatecarpage.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=1518|title=1962 Ferrari 250 GTO specifications|website=carfolio.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/1962/1372715/ferrari_250_gto.html|title=1962 Ferrari 250 GTO detailed specifications|website=automobile-catalog.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-09}}</ref>
}}
| powerout = {{plainlist |
* {{cvt|300|PS|hp kW|0}} at 7500&nbsp;rpm
* {{cvt|30|kgm|0|order=flip}} at 5500&nbsp;rpm}}
| transmission = 5-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]]
| wheelbase = {{cvt|2400|mm|in|1}}
| length = {{cvt|4325|mm|in|1}}
| width = {{cvt|1600|mm|in|1}}
| height = {{cvt|1210|mm|in|1}}
| weight = {{cvt|880|-|950|kg|lbs|0}}
| predecessor = [[Ferrari 250 GT SWB]]
| successor = {{plainlist |
* [[Ferrari 250 LM]]
* [[Ferrari 288 GTO]]}}
}}
[[File:Collection car Musée Ferrari 035.JPG|thumb|Rear view of 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO (chassis 3451GT)]]
The '''Ferrari 250 GTO''' is a [[grand tourer]] produced by [[Ferrari]] from 1962 to 1964 for [[Homologation (motorsport)|homologation]] into the [[FIA]]'s [[Group 3 (racing)|Group 3 Grand Touring Car]] category. It was powered by Ferrari's [[Ferrari Colombo engine#250|''Tipo 168/62'' Colombo V12 engine]]. The "250" in its name denotes the [[engine displacement|displacement]] in cubic centimeters of each of its cylinders; "GTO" stands for ''Gran Turismo Omologato'', [[Italian language|Italian]] for "Grand Touring Homologated".<ref name=":10">{{Cite book|last=Bluemel, Keith.|title=Ferrari 250 GTO|date=1998|publisher=Bay View Books Ltd|others=Pourret, Jess G.|isbn=1-901432-15-7|location=Bideford, Devon|oclc=41014319}}</ref><ref name="Pourret1987" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|date=March 1963|title=The development of the 250GT Ferrari|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/march-1963/36/development-250gt-ferrari|journal=Motorsport Magazine|volume=39|pages=36}}</ref>

Just 36 of the 250 GTOs were manufactured between 1962 and 1964. This includes 33 cars with 1962–63 bodywork (Series I) and three with 1964 (Series II) bodywork similar to the [[Ferrari 250 LM]]. Four of the older 1962–1963 (Series I) cars were updated in 1964 with Series II bodies.

When new, the 250 GTO cost $18,000 in the United States, with buyers personally approved by Enzo Ferrari<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/buying-maintenance/a21965453/the-road-and-track-guide-to-buying-a-ferrari-250-gto/|title=The Road & Track Guide to Buying a $45 Million Ferrari 250 GTO|last=Petrány|first=Máté|date=2018-06-27|website=Road & Track|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-20}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/msolomon/2018/07/13/luxury-lineage-a-brief-history-of-the-ferrari-250-gto/|title=Luxury Lineage: A Brief History of the Ferrari 250 GTO|last=Solomon|first=Michael|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=2019-12-20}}</ref> and his dealer for North America, [[Luigi Chinetti]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}} This model has since become highly desired by automobile collectors and sales have repeatedly set price records.<ref name="bloomberg.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-06-01/ferrari-gto-becomes-most-expensive-car-at-35-million|title=Ferrari GTO Becomes Most Expensive Car at $35 Million|work=bloomberg.com|date=June 2012|access-date=2012-06-03}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name="bloomberg.com-2">{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-10-02/ferrari-gto-becomes-most-expensive-car-at-52-million|title=Ferrari GTO Becomes Most Expensive Car at $52 Million|last=Reyburn|first=Scott|date=3 October 2013|work=bloomberg.com|access-date=5 December 2019}}</ref> The current record for world's most expensive Ferrari was set in June 2018 when a 1963 250 GTO (chassis 4153GT) was sold in a private sale for $70 million.<ref name="Hemmings-20180605">{{cite web |last=Strohl |first=Daniel |title=Ferrari 250 GTO sells for $70 million, becomes world's most expensive car
|url=https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2018/06/05/ferrari-250-gto-sells-for-70-million-becomes-worlds-most-expensive-car/ |date=June 5, 2018 |work=[[Hemmings Motor News]] |access-date=August 28, 2018 }}</ref>

In 2004, ''[[Sports Car International]]'' placed the 250 GTO eighth on their list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s, and nominated it the top sports car of all time. Similarly, ''[[Motor Trend|Motor Trend Classic]]'' placed the 250 GTO first on a list of the "Greatest Ferraris of All Time".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motortrend.com/classic/c12_0509_top_ferraris/viewall.html |title=The Greatest Ferraris of All Time - Coupe - Motor Trend Classic |publisher=Motortrend.com |date=2010-12-13 |access-date=2011-08-19}}</ref> ''[[Popular Mechanics]]'' named it the "Hottest Car of All Time".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Tate|first1=James|title=The 100 Hottest Cars of All Time|url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/g93/the-100-hottest-cars-of-all-time/|website=Popular Mechanics Magazine|publisher=Hearst Men's Group|access-date=26 September 2015}}</ref>

== Design and development ==
[[File:1962 Ferrari 250 GTO engine.jpg|alt=Close-up of a racing car engine|thumb|left|[[Ferrari Colombo engine#250|''Tipo 168/62'' Colombo V12 engine]]]]

The 250 GTO was designed to compete in [[Group 3 (racing)|Group 3 GT racing]], where its rivals would include the [[Shelby Cobra]], [[Jaguar E-Type]] and [[Aston Martin DP214]].<ref name="Shoen1990">{{Citation|title=The Cobra-Ferrari Wars 1963-1965|last1=Shoen|first1=Michael L.|publisher=CFW|year=1990|isbn=0-9625093-0-2}}</ref> The development of the 250 GTO was headed by chief engineer [[Giotto Bizzarrini]]. Although Bizzarrini is usually credited as the designer of the 250 GTO, he and most other Ferrari engineers were fired in 1962 due to [[History of Ferrari#1961 – The great walkout|a dispute with Enzo Ferrari]]. Further development of the 250 GTO was overseen by new engineer [[Mauro Forghieri]], who worked with [[Scaglietti]] to continue development of the body.<ref name="Pourret1987">{{Citation|title=Ferrari 250 GT Competition Cars|last1=Pourret|first1=Jess G.|year=1987|publisher=Haynes|isbn=0-85429-556-9}}</ref> The design of the car was a collaborative effort and cannot be ascribed to a single person.

The mechanical aspects of 250 GTO were relatively conservative at the time of its introduction, using engine and chassis components that were proven in earlier competition cars. The chassis of the car was based on that of the [[Ferrari 250#250 GT SWB|250 GT SWB]], with minor differences in frame structure and geometry to reduce weight, stiffen and lower the chassis. The car was built around a hand-welded oval tube frame, incorporating [[Control arm|A-arm front suspension]], rear [[Beam axle#Live axle vs Dead axle|live-axle]] with [[Watt's linkage#Automobile suspension|Watt's linkage]], [[disc brake]]s, and [[Borrani]] wire wheels. The engine was the race-proven Tipo 168/62 Comp. {{cvt|2953|cc|L|1|order=flip}} [[V12 engine|V12]] as used in the [[Ferrari TR#250 Testa Rossa|250 Testa Rossa]] Le Mans winner. An all-alloy design utilizing a [[dry sump]] and six 38DCN [[Weber carburetors]], it produced approximately {{cvt|300|PS|bhp kW|0}} at 7500&nbsp;rpm and {{cvt|30|kgm|0|order=flip}} at 5500&nbsp;rpm of [[Torque#Machine torque|torque]]. The gearbox was a new 5-speed unit with [[Porsche]]-type [[synchromesh]].<ref name="Pourret1987" />

[[Bizzarrini]] focused his design effort on the car's aerodynamics in an attempt to improve top speed and stability. The body design was informed by wind tunnel testing at [[Pisa University]] as well as road and track testing with several prototypes. The resulting all-aluminium bodywork had a long, low nose, small radiator inlet, and distinctive air intakes on the nose with removable covers. Early testing resulted in the addition of a rear [[Spoiler (car)|spoiler]]. The underside of the car was covered by a belly pan and had an additional spoiler underneath formed by the fuel tank cover. The aerodynamic design of the 250 GTO was a major technical innovation compared to previous Ferrari GT cars, and in line with contemporary developments by manufacturers such as [[Lotus Cars|Lotus]]. The bodies were constructed by [[Scaglietti]], with the exception of early prototypes with bodies constructed in-house by Ferrari or by [[Pininfarina]] (in the case of s/n 2643 GT). Cars were produced in many colours, with the most famous being the bright red "Rosso Cina".<ref name="Pourret1987" />
[[File:Ferrari 250 GTO ser. no. 3647GT interior.jpg|thumb|left|Interior of 250 GTO (chassis 3647GT)|alt=Looking through open driver's window of a right-hand-drive car, showing brown steering wheel with three metal spokes, gear lever and dashboard]]
The [[Minimalism|minimalist]] interior of a 250 GTO reflects the car's racing intentions. There is no speedometer, seats are cloth-[[Upholstery#Automobile upholstery|upholstered]], and neither carpeting nor a headliner was installed. Cockpit ventilation is via exterior air inlets.<ref name="Pourret1987" /> The exposed metal gate defining the shift pattern became a Ferrari tradition maintained in production models until replaced by steering column-mounted paddle shifters in the 2000s.<ref name="Pollard2011">{{Citation|title=Ferrari click-clack manual transmissions, RIP|url=http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/community/car-magazines-blogs/tim-pollard-blog2/ferrari-click-clack-manual-transmissions-rip/|publisher=Car Magazine|last1=Pollard|first1=Tim|date=11 November 2011}}</ref>

=== Prototypes ===
As the 250 GTO was heavily derived from the earlier [[Ferrari 250#250 GT Berlinetta SWB|250 GT Berlinetta SWB]], Ferrari engineers constructed two 250 GTO prototypes in 1961 by converting existing chassis of this type.<ref name=":10" /><ref name="Pourret1987" />

The first prototype, designated in official photos as the '''1961 Ferrari 250 GT Le Mans Berlinetta Sperimentale''', was constructed from chassis 2643GT, originally a 1961 250 GT SWB. It was built to competition specification, which included a reinforced chassis, a competition gearbox and a ''Tipo 168/61'' 3.0 L engine tuned to 300&nbsp;bhp, equipped with dry sump lubrication and six Weber 38 DCN carburetors. Pininfarina constructed a new lightweight aluminium alloy body for this prototype, which resembled that of the [[Ferrari America#400 Superamerica|400 Super America]] coupe. 2643GT was entered by Scuderia Ferrari in the [[1961 24 Hours of Le Mans|1961 24 hours of Le Mans]], driven by [[Fernand Tavano]] and [[Giancarlo Baghetti]]. Although they were running as high as 8th overall, they were forced to retire at 4:45 am on Sunday morning due to engine failure.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bluemel|first=Keith|date=November 2008|title=Sperimentale|journal=Cavallino|volume=167|pages=36–43}}</ref> During the course of the race, Ferrari engineers gathered information about the performance of the car which was used to modify and improve it, including the addition of a rear spoiler. During the Le Mans race, 2643GT suffered from high-speed instability, possibly due to the front end design.<ref name=":10" /><ref name="Pourret1987" /> Following Le Mans, 2643GT returned to the factory, where it was used for more testing. The prototype raced again at the [[1962 3 Hours of Daytona|1962 Daytona Continental 3 hours]], where it placed 4th overall and 1st in the GT class driven by [[Stirling Moss]].<ref name=":10" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://drive-my.com/en/test-drive/item/2180-the-green-ferrari-250-gto-test.html|title=The green Ferrari 250 GTO - track test|last=Doherty|first=Paul|date=14 April 2015|website=Drive|language=en-gb|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref> Subsequently, it was sold to [[North American Racing Team|N.A.R.T.]] and a succession of private owners.<ref name=":10" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/All.Ferraris/Detail/2643GT.250GT.htm|title=250 GT SWB Prototype Sperimentale s/n 2643GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref>

The second prototype was also constructed from a donor car, although sources disagree on the chassis number and type. Several older sources mention the donor as a 1960 250 GT SWB, chassis 2053GT.<ref name=":10" /><ref name="Pourret1987" /><ref name=":15">{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/All.Ferraris/Detail/2053GT.250GT.htm|title=250 GT s/n 2053GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref> Alternatively, other sources have claimed that a [[Ferrari 250 GT Coupé#GTO Prototype|250 GT Boano]] (0523GT) or a 1959 250 GT SWB (1791GT) was used as the donor car.<ref name="Papero2">{{cite web|url=https://www.supercars.net/blog/ferrari-250-gto-detail/|title=Ferrari 250 GTO – Ultimate Guide|website=supercars.net|date=24 April 2016 |access-date=2 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/a1902341/exactly-how-many-ferrari-250-gtos-were-built/|title=Exactly how many Ferrari 250 GTOs were built?|last=Severson|first=Aaron|date=31 July 2014|website=Autoweek|access-date=31 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Focus on: 250 GTO (1962)|url=https://www.ferrari.com/english/gt_sport%20cars/classiche/all_models/Pages/articles_250_gto.aspx|website=ferrari.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116014343/https://www.ferrari.com/english/gt_sport%20cars/classiche/all_models/Pages/articles_250_gto.aspx|archive-date=2012-11-16|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite journal|date=March 2003|title=Lettere|journal=Cavallino|volume=133|pages=3–6}}</ref> This prototype was created entirely by the Ferrari factory's racing department under the oversight of Giotto Bizzarrini, including the bodywork. The original chassis was extensively modified, including relocation of the engine mounts lower and further back in the frame. A competition-specification engine was fitted, including six Weber 38 DCN carburetors. The bodywork seen on the second prototype in period photos was rough, unfinished aluminium. The body's ungainly appearance lead the Ferrari team to nickname it "Il Mostro" (the Monster) and the press to call it "The Anteater". Hammer marks, weld beads and bolted or riveted panels could be seen throughout, evidence of the continual modifications performed during factory testing in 1961. Although the body was crudely formed, it displayed features that would be seen in the production 250 GTO, including the overall profile of a low hood and high rear, triple front air intakes, engine bay cooling slots in the front fenders and plexiglass-covered headlights. The interior was hastily constructed and even more minimal than in the production 250 GTO, with scattered instrumentation and a bare aluminium dashboard.<ref name=":10" /><ref name="Pourret1987" />

The second prototype was tested at [[Autodromo Nazionale di Monza|Monza]] in September 1961 by Stirling Moss. Results were promising, as the prototype was able to lap the circuit faster than a 250 GT SWB. However, the high speed stability issues seen during testing of the first prototype remained. Shortly after this test, construction of the first production 250 GTOs began in late 1961 with chassis 3223GT and 3387GT.<ref name=":10" /><ref name="Pourret1987" />

As the prototype was no longer needed for testing, the experimental body was scrapped. Regardless of the identity of the chassis, sources are in agreement that the second GTO prototype was either partially or entirely scrapped and is no longer extant in its 1961 form. If 2053GT was indeed the chassis, it was then given a 250 GT SWB style body and sold to [[Jacques Swaters]]. 2053GT crashed during the [[6 Hours of Nürburgring|1962 Nürburgring 1000 km]] and was then rebodied by [[Carrozzeria Sports Cars]]. Subsequently, 2053GT was totally destroyed in an accident at the 1964 Spa 500km.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":15" /><ref name="Pourret1987" /><ref name=":16" />

{{Gallery
|title=1961 250 GTO Prototype #2 "The Anteater"
| align        = center
| footer       =
| style        =
| state        =
| height       =
| width        =
| captionstyle =
| File:1961 Monza Ferrari 250 GTO prototype engine.jpg
 | alt1=
 | The second 250 GTO prototype during testing at Monza in 1961
| File:1961 Ferrari 250 GTO prototype rear.jpg
 | alt2=
 | Rear view of 250 GTO prototype
| File:1961 Ferrari 250 GTO prototype rr.jpg
 | alt3=
 |Note cooling vents in rear of front fender, which would also be used in the production 250 GTO.| File:1961_Ferrari_250_GTO_prototype_left.jpg
 | alt4=
 | The low front profile shows the eventual shape of the production 250 GTO, while the rear still resembles a 250 GT SWB.| File:1961 Ferrari 250 GTO prototype interior.jpg
 | alt5=
 | Prototype interior with extensive instrumentation in an unfinished aluminium dashboard
}}

===Variants and related models===
Handbuild production, updates, and repairs throughout each car's competition history result in differences both visible and invisible between individual 250 GTOs. Variance in air intake/vent configuration is common among cars. Modifications to the original bodywork were performed by the factory, Scaglietti, or other body shops, usually after crashes or according to a racing team's wishes.<ref name="Pourret1987" />
[[File:1962 Ferrari 250 GTO sn 4091GT, front right.jpg|thumb|1962/1964 250 GTO (chassis 4091GT), rebodied with the Series II bodywork by the factory|alt=Bright red sports car on a lawn]]
In 1964, Ferrari tasked Mauro Forghieri and Mike Parkes with redesigning the 250 GTO's bodywork, resulting in what became known as the GTO '64 (or Series II). Three new cars were produced to the 1964 specification, and four earlier 250 GTOs were retrofitted to it by the factory.<ref name="Pourret1987" /> This redesign was intended to maintain the GTO's competitiveness for one more year, as the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] decided to not approve the [[Ferrari 250 LM|250 LM]] for GT-class racing during the 1964 season. The Ferrari engineers incorporated many of the 250LM's aerodynamic features into the 1964 GTO. This resulted in a visual similarity between the two models, even though the GTO does not share the 250LM's [[Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|mid engine rear wheel drive]] layout. The factory also made minor modifications to the engine, gearbox, chassis, suspension and interior. Despite these changes, the overall performance improvement was slight. The GTO '64 still saw some racing success with factory and privateer teams, including an overall win at [[Daytona International Speedway|Daytona]] in 1964 by [[Phil Hill]] and [[Pedro Rodríguez (racing driver)|Pedro Rodriguez]] driving for [[North American Racing Team|NART]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Mallepelle|first=Paolo|date=1983|title=The 64 GTO|journal=Cavallino|volume=16|pages=22–28}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/MO18/Monterey/lots/r0117-1962-ferrari-250-gto-by-scaglietti/695912|title=RM Sotheby's - 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO by Scaglietti {{!}} Monterey 2018|date=2018-08-26|work=RM Sotheby's|access-date=2018-08-28|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.racingsportscars.com/results/Daytona-1964-02-16.html|title=Daytona 2000 Kilometres 1964 - Race Results - Racing Sports Cars|website=www.racingsportscars.com|access-date=2018-08-31}}</ref>

Three 330 GTO specials were made using the 250 GTO chassis and body fitted with [[Ferrari America#400 Superamerica|400 Superamerica]] 4.0-liter motors. Distinguished by a larger bonnet bulge, these cars were used briefly for racing and testing by [[Scuderia Ferrari]] before being sold to private customers.<ref name="Supercars330GTO">{{Citation|title=Ferrari 330 GTO|publisher=Supercars.net|url=http://www.supercars.net/cars/5692.html|access-date=6 September 2014}}</ref> Some sources include these cars in the total number of 250 GTOs produced, increasing that number from 36 to 39.

The [[Ferrari 330#330 LMB|330 LMB]] is sometimes considered a GTO variant.<ref>https://www.motortrend.com/news/hyper-rare-1963-ferrari-330-lmb-sale-monterey-car-week/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref> These cars used a 4.0-liter 330 motor and a modified [[Ferrari 250 GT Lusso|250 GT Lusso]] chassis/body. Four were produced in 1963.

Three [[Ferrari 275#275 GTB Competizione Speciale|275 GTB/C Speciales]] were built in 1964/65. Despite their origins as competition versions of the 275 GTB, they are sometimes considered developments of the 250 GTO due to similarity of configuration and bodywork.<ref name="Bonhams275">{{Citation|title=1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale by Scaglietti|url=http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1068795|access-date=6 September 2014|publisher=RM Auctions}}</ref><ref name="C48">{{Cite journal|last=Ridgley|first=Dyke|date=December 1988|title=The 275 GTB/C - A History|journal=Cavallino|volume=48|pages=26–33}}</ref>

The [[Ferrari 250 GT SWB Breadvan]] was a one-off racing car designed for [[Scuderia Serenissima]] by Bizzarrini after his departure from Ferrari. It was developed specifically to compete against the then-new 250 GTO. Although based on the earlier 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, the Breadvan provided an opportunity for Bizzarrini to develop the ideas he had first explored with the GTO, such as lower and more aerodynamic bodywork, incorporation of a dry sump, and radical lightening of the entire car.

== Racing ==
[[File:GTO Heaven - Goodwood Revival 2012 (8255074325).jpg|alt=Five racing cars in line, taking a right-hand corner on a race track|thumb|Four 250 GTOs and one 330 GTO (second to last car) at the 2012 [[Goodwood Revival]]]]
[[File:1963-05-19 Ferrari 250 GTO mit Kalman von Csazy (b).jpg|thumb|left|250 GTO (chassis 3809GT) driven by Kalman von Czazy and Karl Foitek during the 1963 [[1000km Nürburgring]]|alt=Black and white photo of a sports car number 48 driving left to right, foreground speed-blurred]]

The 250 GTO's racing debut was at the 1962 [[12 Hours of Sebring]], driven by American [[Phil Hill]] (the Formula One World Driving Champion at the time) and Belgian [[Olivier Gendebien]]. Although originally annoyed that they were driving a GT-class car instead of one of the full-race [[Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa|250 Testa Rossas]] competing in the prototype class, the experienced pair impressed themselves (and everyone else) by finishing second overall behind the Testa Rossa of [[Joakim Bonnier|Bonnier]] and [[Ludovico Scarfiotti|Scarfiotti]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/racing/ferrari-gto-history|title=Phil Hill on the Iconic Ferrari 250 GTO|last=Hill|first=Phil|date=2017-04-20|website=Road & Track|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-28}}</ref>

Ferrari would go on to win the over 2000cc class of the FIA's [[International Championship for GT Manufacturers]] in 1962, 1963, and 1964,<ref>{{citation | first = Denis | last = Jenkinson | title = The Automobile Year Book of Sports Car Racing, 1982 | date = 1982 | page = 222 }}</ref> the 250 GTO being raced in each of those years. 250 GTOs also won the 1963 and 1964 [[Tour de France Automobile]], marking Ferrari's nine year dominance of that race.<ref name=":10" />

During the 1962-1964 racing seasons, only a few other GT-class models were consistently competitive with the 250 GTO. These were the [[Jaguar E-Type|Jaguar E-type]], [[Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato]], [[Aston Martin DP212|DP212]], [[Aston Martin DP214|DP214]], and [[Aston Martin DP215|DP215]], and the [[AC Cobra]]s. In addition to official Scuderia Ferrari entries, many 250 GTOs were also raced by independent racing teams and private drivers. During this time it was therefore common for 250 GTO drivers to compete against other 250 GTOs.<ref name=":10" /> The 250 GTO was one of the last front-engined cars to remain competitive at the top level of sports car racing.

The 250 GTO gradually passed into obsolescence following the 1964 season. Scuderia Ferrari withdrew the 250 GTO from its racing activity by 1965, leaving only a few independent teams and private owners to campaign it in endurance races, rallies and hillclimbs. By 1967, the 250 GTO was almost entirely absent from international racing, with only a few rally and hillclimb results during that year. Prior to the development of the 250 GTO collector market and associated vintage racing and show events, some of the surviving 250 GTOs were used in regional races, while others were used as road cars.<ref name=":10" />

=== Homologation ===
[[FIA]] regulations in 1962 required at least one hundred examples of a car to be built in order for it to be [[Homologation (motorsport)|homologated]] for Group 3 Grand Touring Car racing.<ref>[http://www.sovren.org/competition/rules/fia/FIA%201962.html#APPENDIX 1962 FIA Regulations] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20030104132241/http://www.sovren.org/competition/rules/fia/FIA%201962.html|date=2003-01-04}} Retrieved from www.sovren.org on 22 July 2010</ref> Ferrari built only 36 250 GTOs (33 of the 1962-design Series I cars and three 1964-design Series II cars, with revised bodywork). The additional three "330 GTO" cars with the four-litre ''[[Ferrari Colombo engine#330|330 engine]]'' —recognizable by the large hump on the bonnet— are sometimes included in the overall production number, bringing the total to 39. It became a popular myth that when FIA inspectors showed up to confirm that 100 examples had been built, Enzo Ferrari shuffled the same cars between different locations, thus giving the impression that the full complement of 100 cars was present.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.formula1.com/content/fom-website/en/latest/features/2015/10/f1-do-you-remember-when-ferrari-raced-in-blue-in-mexico.html|title=Do you remember...when Ferrari raced in blue|publisher=formula1.com|access-date=2015-10-28}}</ref> In reality, no deception was required, as the production of the 250 GTO was covered by the homologation of the earlier 250 GT Berlinetta SWB model. These homologation papers were issued in 1960, but extensions were applied for and accepted multiple times between 1961 and 1964, allowing Ferrari to add modifications not covered under the original specification, including changes to the engine, transmission, and suspension.<ref name=":10" /> Additionally, since more than 100 bodies had been built according to the earlier 250 GT SWB specification, FIA regulations allowed a new body to be designed, leading to the development of the new 250 GTO body style.<ref name="Pourret1987" /> This method of homologation was not unique to Ferrari, as similar methods were used to homologate the [[Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato]] and the [[Jaguar E-Type#Lightweight E-Type (1963–64, 2014–present)|Jaguar E-Type Lightweight]].<ref name=":10" />

== Collectibility ==
While the GTO is now arguably the most valuable collector car in the world, it was merely a no-frills used race car in the late 1960s and very early 1970s. Many of the vehicles were offered at or acquired for four-figure (USD) sums. In contrast, restored [[Duesenberg Model J]]s often sold for about $50,000 around 1970.{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}}

From the late 1970s to the late 1980s, [[classic car]] values rose rapidly and the 250 GTO became the most valuable Ferrari model, touted as the [[Ferrari]] that most completely embodies the characteristics of the manufacturer. Prices fell substantially during the car market crash of the early 1990s, resulting in lows of $2,700,000 in September 1994 and $2,500,000 in May 1996. Prices began to climb again in the late 90s and have continued to rise through the present day. 250 GTOs have repeatedly broken records for most expensive car ever sold at auction or private sale.<ref name="Hemmings-20180605" /><ref name="bloomberg.com" /><ref name="bloomberg.com-2" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.automobilemag.com/news/1962-ferrari-250-gto-brings-48400000-monterey-set-new-record/|title=1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Brings $48,400,000 in Monterey to Set New Record {{!}} Automobile Magazine|date=2018-08-27|work=Automobile Magazine|access-date=2018-08-28|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bonhams.com/press_release/17205/|title=Bonhams : Ferrari 250 Gto Achieves $38,115,000 (£22,843,633)A New World Auction Record At Bonhams Quail Lodge Sale|website=www.bonhams.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-08-28}}</ref> The current record for world's most expensive Ferrari was set in June 2018 when a 1963 250 GTO (chassis 4153GT) was sold to David MacNeil in a private sale for $70 million.<ref name="Hemmings-20180605" /> On 25 August 2018, [[RM Sotheby's]] sold [[Greg Whitten]]'s 250 GTO 3413GT at their Monterey auction.<ref name=":2" /> The final price inclusive of buyer's fee was $48,405,000, representing a new record for most expensive car ever sold at auction. The previous record was also held by a 250 GTO, 3851GT, which was sold at the Bonhams Quail Lodge auction in 2014.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />

Scarcity and high prices led to the creation of several replica 250 GTOs on more common Ferrari chassis. Misrepresentations of the original cars, offered for sale at full market value, have been reported.<ref name="cnbc.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2014/07/31/a-63-million-ferrari-is-a-fake-expert-says.html|title=A $63 million Ferrari is a fake, expert says|author=Robert Frank|date=2014-07-31|publisher=[[CNBC]]|access-date=2015-05-20}}</ref>

=== Price History ===
{{More citations needed section|date=December 2019}}{{Image frame|content={{Graph:Chart
|width=500
|height=300
|type=line
|yAxisFormat=
|x=1962,1965,1965,1966,1968,1969,1969,1970,1970,1971,1971,1971,1971,1973,1974,1975,1975,1975,1977,1978,1978,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1989,1990,1993,1994,1996,1997,1998,2000,2004,2007,2008,2010,2010,2012,2012,2013,2014,2016,2017,2018,2018,
|y1=18500,4000,10500,7000,,2500,5400,,,,,6000,,17500,28000,13000,35000,,71000,90000,125000,,,350000,300000,500000,650000,1000000,1600000,4200000,10000000,13300000,13000000,3250000,3500000,,2200000,6000000,7000000,10600000,22000000,42000000,26000000,17700000,35000000,31700000,52000000,38115000,,44000000,70000000,48405000,
|y2=,,,,,6500,,,8500,7780,9500,9900,,12000,,,,,48000,,,,190000,285000,,,,,,,,,,,,,3500000,,,,,,,,,,,,,56800000,,,
|xAxisTitle=Year
|yAxisTitle=Price(USD)
|y1Title= Sold
|y2Title= Advertised
|legend=Legend
|showSymbols=1
|linewidth=0
|yGrid= |xGrid=

}}|width=|align=center|caption=Scatter plot of Ferrari 250 GTO price history, 1962-2018|max-width=}}<br />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|+Ferrari 250 GTO Price History, 1962-2018
!Year
!Price (USD)
!Sold or advertised at this price
!Chassis Number (if known)
!Notes
|-
|1962
|18,500
|Sold
|
|Selling price from factory when new<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":13" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/special-reports/innes-ireland-and-the-ferrari-250-gto|title=Innes Ireland and the Ferrari 250 GTO|last=Ireland | first=Innes|date=2012-03-01|website=Road & Track|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-20}}</ref>
|-
|1965
|4,000
|Sold
|3851GT
|Purchased from [[Ernesto Prinoth]] by Fabrizio Violati.<ref name=":02">{{cite web|url=http://www.kidston.com/kidston-news-item/64/Arrivederci-to-Fabrizio-Violati|title=Kidston - Arrivederci to Fabrizio Violati|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006153321/https://www.kidston.com/kidston-news-item/64/Arrivederci-to-Fabrizio-Violati|archive-date=6 October 2014|access-date=5 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/all.ferraris/Detail/3851GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3851GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-12-04}}</ref>
|-
|1965
|10,500
|Sold
|
|{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1966
|7,000
|Sold
|3647GT
|Purchased by James McNeil from Robert Sauers in Springfield, Massachusetts.<ref name=":14">{{Cite journal|last=Gustafson|first=Eric|date=5 December 2019|title=Better Left Alone|url=https://www.forza-mag.com/issues/179/articles/better-left-alone|journal=Forza|volume=179}}</ref>
|-
|1968
|6,500
|Advertised
|
|15 June, a 1962 example was advertised in ''[[Autoweek]]''.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1969
|2,500
|Sold
|3223GT
|Sold at Kruse International auction. The lowest documented price a GTO ever changed hands for, well below the $6k to $8.5k market price of the time.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1969
|5,400
|Sold
|3387GT
|Purchased by Kirk F. White of Pennsylvania, USA.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/All.Ferraris/Detail/3387GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3387GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-12-04}}</ref>
|-
|1970
|8,500
|Advertised
|4757GT
|Advertised in the ''LA Times''.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1970
|7,780
|Advertised
|
|Advertised in ''Road & Track'' by [[Tom Meade]] of Modena, Italy. The 1962 GTO was one of several Ferraris offered by Meade in the ad.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1971
|9,500
|Advertised
|
|Advertised by Algar Ferrari in ''Autoweek''{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1971
|9,900
|Advertised
|
|Advertised in ''Road & Track''{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1971
|6,000
|Sold
|3589GT
|The car was auctioned by Victoria High School in Texas, US.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} It had been donated to the school seven years prior.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/all.ferraris/Detail/3589GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3589GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-12-04}}</ref>
|-
|1971
|12,000
|Advertised
|
|Advertised by KFW Motorcars in Paoli, Pennsylvania, US.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1973
|17,500
|Sold
|
|{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1974
|28,000
|Sold
|
|{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1975
|13,000
|Sold
|3387GT
|Purchased by Stephen Griswold of Berkeley, California, US.<ref name=":12" /> Well under market at the time, even for an unrestored car. {{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1975
|35,000
|Advertised
|3223GT
|Car was being offered by Stan Nowak between February and April 1975.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1975
|48,000
|Advertised
|
|Advertised in ''Autoweek''.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1977
|71,000
|Sold
|3757GT
|Purchased by [[Pink Floyd]] drummer [[Nick Mason]] for £35,000, circa November 1977, with proceeds from the album [[The Dark Side of the Moon|''The Dark Side Of The Moon'']].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/blog/2017/10/19/classic-car-investment-special-pink-floyd-drummer-nick-mason-on-why-he-loves-his-ferrari-250-gto|title=Classic car investment special: Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason on why he loves his Ferrari 250 GTO|last=Frank|first=Knight|website=www.knightfrank.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-12-05}}</ref>
|-
|1978
|90,000
|Sold
|3987GT
|Car in good original condition. Sale occurred circa August 1978, said to be the last known sub-$100k sale. {{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1978
|125,000
|Sold
|3387GT
|Purchased by Mark De Friece.<ref name=":12" /> Car in perfect Concours-ready condition. {{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1980
|190,000
|Advertised
|3445GT
|Asking price following restoration.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1981
|285,000
|Advertised
|4091GT
|Advertised in various publications.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1982
|345,000
|Sold
|4757GT
|Purchased by Christopher Murray of Rhode Island, US.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/All.Ferraris/Detail/4757GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 4757GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-12-04}}</ref> Price quoted as either $250,000 or $345,000.<ref name=":7">{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1987/11/27/us-picks-up-quick-cash-in-sale-of-rare-ferrari/|title=U.s. Picks Up Quick Cash In Sale Of Rare Ferrari - Chicago Tribune|date=1987-11-27|publisher=Articles.chicagotribune.com|access-date=2011-08-19}}</ref>
|-
|1983
|300,000
|Sold
|
|{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1984
|500,000
|Sold
|
|{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1985
|650,000
|Sold
|3987GT
|Purchased by [[Ralph Lauren]].<ref name="ferraris-online.com2">{{cite web|url=http://www.ferraris-online.com/Articles/SCM_0209.html|title=The Ups and Downs and Ups of the 250 GTO|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727035217/http://www.ferraris-online.com/Articles/SCM_0209.html|archive-date=27 July 2012|access-date=5 October 2014}}</ref>
|-
|1986
|1,000,000
|Sold
|3589GT
|{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1987
|1,600,000
|Sold
|4757GT
|Sold at FBI Auction<ref name=":7" /> and subsequently entered collection of [[Jacques Swaters]].<ref name=":5" />
|-
|1988
|4,200,000
|Sold
|3589GT
|Purchased by Engelbert Stieger of Teufen, Switzerland<ref name=":3" />
|-
|1989
|10,000,000
|Sold
|
|{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1989
|13,300,000
|Sold
|3909GT
|Sold to Takeo Kato of Japan.<ref name="sheehan2">[http://www.ferraris-online.com/pages/article.php?reqart=SCM_200605_SS Sheehan, Michael. "When Japan Ruled the World", article reproduced from ''Sports Car Market'', May 2006]. Retrieved on September 4, 2008.</ref>
|-
|1990
|13,000,000
|Sold
|
|{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1993
|3,250,000
|Sold
|4219GT
|<ref name="barchetta.cc2">{{cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/All.Ferraris/Detail/4219GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 4219GT|publisher=Barchetta.cc|access-date=2015-05-20}}</ref>
|-
|1994
|3,500,000
|Sold
|3909GT
|Sold to David Morisson of London, UK<ref name="sheehan2" />
|-
|1996
|3,500,000
|Sold
|5095GT
|Sold to [[Lee Kun-hee]] of Seoul, South Korea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/All.Ferraris/Detail/5095GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 5095GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-12-04}}</ref>
|-
|1996
|3,500,000
|Advertised
|3445GT
|Advertised by SMC of La Jolla, California, US.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/All.Ferraris/Detail/3445GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3445GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-12-04}}</ref>
|-
|1997
|2,200,000
|Sold
|
|{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|1998
|6,000,000
|Sold
|3729GT
|{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
|-
|2000
|7,000,000
|Sold
|3413GT
|Purchased by [[Greg Whitten]].<ref name="ReferenceB2">{{cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/All.Ferraris/Detail/3413GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3413GT|publisher=Barchetta.cc|access-date=2015-05-20}}</ref>
|-
|2004
|10,600,000
|Sold
|3223GT
|<ref name="ReferenceC2">{{cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/all.ferraris/detail/3223gt.250gto.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3223GT|publisher=Barchetta.cc|access-date=2015-05-20}}</ref>
|-
|2007
|22,000,000
|Sold
|5095GT
|Sold to William Ainscough of the UK.<ref>[http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080921.001/englishman-pays-157-million-for-ferrari-250-gto "Englishman Pays £15.7 Million for Ferrari 250 GTO", ''WorldofCars'', September 22 2008]. Retrieved on September 22, 2008.</ref><ref name=":6">{{cite web|url=http://www.gizmag.com/ferrari-250-gto-record-price/21521/|title=Ferrari 250 GTO sells for more than US$30 million|work=Gizmag|date=20 February 2012|access-date=20 February 2012}}</ref>
|-
|2008
|22,763,611
|Sold
|5095GT
|Sold to [[Jon Hunt]] of London, UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motor1.com/news/112/englishman-pays-157-million-for-ferrari-250-gto/|title=Englishman Pays £15.7 Million for Ferrari 250 GTO|date=21 September 2008|website=motor1.com|access-date=13 September 2020}}</ref><ref name=":6" />
|-
|2010
|26,000,000
|Sold
|3943GT
|<ref name="barchettacc2">{{cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/All.Ferraris/Detail/3943GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3943GT|publisher=Barchetta.cc|access-date=2015-05-20}}</ref>
|-
|2010
|17,700,000
|Sold
|4675GT
|Purchased by [[BBC Radio 2]] DJ [[Chris Evans (presenter)|Chris Evans]]. Sale price includes value of cars given in trade, quoted as 17 to 17.7 million USD total value.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/All.Ferraris/Detail/4675GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 4675GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-12-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carsession.com/car-news/1963-ferrari-250-gto-sold-for-17..7-mil-usd.html|title=1963 Ferrari 250 GTO sold for 17.7 mil USD|date=2010-05-14|publisher=carsession.com|access-date=2010-05-14}}</ref>
|-
|2012
|31,700,000
|Sold
|5095GT
|Believed to be the largest single car transaction in the UK at the time.<ref name=":6" />
|-
|2012
|35,000,000
|Sold
|3505GT
|Sold to [[Craig McCaw]] of Washington, USA in a private sale.<ref name="bloomberg.com" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hemmings.com/blog/index.php/2012/06/01/did-a-ferrari-250-gto-just-sell-for-35-million/|title=Ferrari 250 GTO sells for $35 million to become world's most expensive car|last=Adolphus|first=David Traver|date=1 June 2012|website=Hemmings.com|access-date=2019-12-05}}</ref><ref name="barchetta1">{{cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/All.Ferraris/Detail/3505GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3505GT|publisher=Barchetta.cc|access-date=2015-05-20}}</ref>
|-
|2013
|52,000,000
|Sold
|5111GT
|Sold to an unknown buyer by Paul Pappalardo in a private sale.<ref name="bloomberg.com-2" /><ref name="justluxe.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.justluxe.com/lifestyle/luxury-cars/feature-1951095.php|title=1964 Ferrari 250 GTO Sells for Record $52M|work=JustLuxe.com|access-date=5 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2013/10/03/ferrari-250-gto-reportedly-sells-for-52-million-becoming-worlds-most-expensive-car/|title=Ferrari 250 GTO reportedly sells for $52 million, becoming world's most expensive car|last=Ernst|first=Kurt|date=3 October 2013|website=Hemmings Motor News|language=en|access-date=2019-12-05}}</ref>
|-
|2014
|38,115,000
|Sold
|3851GT
|Sold by the Fabrizio Violati estate at Bonham's 2014 Quail Lodge auction in Carmel, California, USA.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/21917/lot/3/?category=results&length=90&page=1|title=Bonhams : The Ex-Jo Schlesser/Henri Oreiller, Paolo Colombo, Ernesto Prinoth, Fabrizio Violati1962-63 FERRARI 250 GTO BERLINETTAChassis no. 3851GTEngine no. 3851GT|website=www.bonhams.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-07-13}}</ref>
|-
|2016
|56,800,000
|Advertised
|3387GT
|Advertised by Talacrest UK.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://autoweek.com/article/classic-cars/568-million-asking-price-ferrari-250-gto-may-become-most-expensive-carin-world|title=With a $56.8 million asking price, this Ferrari 250 GTO may become the most expensive car...in the world|last=Kozak|first=Graham|date=2016-11-11|website=Autoweek|language=en|access-date=2019-12-10}}</ref>
|-
|2017
|44,000,000
|Sold
|3387GT
|Sold by Bernard Carl in private sale to [[Gregor Fisken]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/classic-car-ferrari-high-court-a4309506.html|title=Classic car dealers at war over £37m sale of rare Ferrari|last=Kirk|first=Tristan|date=2019-12-10|website=Evening Standard|language=en|access-date=2019-12-10}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/12/10/worlds-expensive-car-centre-legal-battle-judge-decides-entitled/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/12/10/worlds-expensive-car-centre-legal-battle-judge-decides-entitled/ |archive-date=2022-01-12 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=World's most expensive car at centre of legal battle as judge decides who is entitled to £37m vehicle's gearbox|last=Southworth|first=Phoebe|date=2019-12-10|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2019-12-11|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
|2018
|48,405,000
|Sold
|3413GT
|Sold by Greg Whitten in 2018 at RM Sotheby's in Monterey, California, US.<ref name=":2" />
|-
|2023
|51,705,000
|Sold
|3765LM
|Sold via [[RM Sotheby's]] New York on 13 Nov 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://fortune.com/2023/11/13/ferrari-gto-race-car-1962-auction-record-51-7-million-sothebys/ | title=Ferrari GTO from 1962 that raced at le Mans sells for a record $51.7 million: 'Its place in history is undisputed' }}</ref> A special [https://rmsothebys.com/gto website] has been created.
|}

== Chassis numbers ==

{| class="wikitable" width="auto" style="text-align: center"
|-
! Chassis No.
! Build Date
! Driveside
! Factory Colour
! Current Location
! Comments
|-
| 2053GT
| 2 August 1960
| LHD
| Grey with brown stripe then Rosso Cina
| Unknown
|<small>Prototype of the GTO tested by Stirling Moss in Monza. Badly damaged in the [[6 Hours of Nürburgring|1962 Nürburgring 1000 km]], later rebodied by [[Carrozzeria Sports Cars]]. Destroyed during the [[6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps|1964 Spa 500km]]</small><ref name=":10" /><ref name=":15" /><ref name="Pourret1987" /><ref name=":16" />
|-
| 3223GT
| 19 June 1962<br /><small>(Developed from 1961)</small>
| LHD
| Red/blue
| Joseph Barone, USA
|<small>First GTO, used for testing and press by the Ferrari factory.</small>

<small>First private owner was William McKelvy, who purchased it from Luigi Chinetti Motors in July 1962 for $18,500.<ref name="Pourret1987" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/all.ferraris/Detail/3223GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3223GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref></small>
|-
| 3387GT
| 16 March 1962
| LHD
| Blue metallic<br />with central stripe
|[[François Perrodo]]<br>[[London]], England
| <small>Originally shipped to Luigi Chinetti Motors Inc., NY for [[Phil Hill]]. Restored by Joe Macari, London in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/All.Ferraris/Detail/3387GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3387GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref></small> <small>As of 2019, this chassis was involved in a legal dispute regarding the possession of its original gearbox.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9" /></small> <small>As of 2021, chassis 3387GT resides in the private collection of oil executive and amateur racing driver [[François Perrodo|Francois Perrodo]]</small><ref>{{Cite instagram|user=fanchracing|postid=CMZeqEZASA6|title=Dear followers, yesterday was a very sad day. Les Bleus came agonisingly close to beat the roast beefs at Twickenham. Imagine the feat!!! Sadly the ruthless pragmatism of the English prevailed and we lost. Oh the horror, the agony, plus tomorrow I can only imagine all the banter I'm gonna get from my english colleagues who are gonna look at me with a smirk and say: Good game. So to cheer me up from that horrible crunch, what else but take some great cars on some great roads with some great friends!!! Sadly, my insurance broker won't let me lend the GTO to my mates which is a crying shame because not only is she amazing to drive she's also relatively easy (except the awkward gearbox). But what a joy to see the smiles on their faces the first time they unleash the full 1200 ponies of the Veyron. My bro-in-law couldn't believe how easy it is to drive, he was like, in fact this car is a rich man's Golf! I assure you, it's a lot more than that. (It didn't prevent him from putting on his Stand21 racing shoes for the occasion!). Great cars, great roads, great friends! The holly Trinity! Happy Sunday everyone et Allez les Bleus merde putain!!!! #250gto #veyron #bugatti #jerserv #bugattiveyron #ferrari|date=13 March 2021|author=Francois Perrodo|author-link=François_Perrodo}}</ref>{{bcn|date=March 2022}}
|-
| 3413GT
| 30 April 1962
| LHD
| Rosso Cina/Blue
| Unknown
| <small>First sold to Edoardo Lualdi-Gabardi, who raced it extensively in hillclimbs during the early 1960s.<br />Rebodied by the factory in series II/GTO '64 style during 1964.<br />Sold by RM Sotheby's 26/Aug/18 at [[Monterey]] for $48.4M<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/all.ferraris/Detail/3413GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3413GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref></small>
|-
| 3445GT
| 30 April 1962
| LHD
| Red/Blue
| Christopher Cox<br />Chapel Hill, NC, USA
|<small>First sold to Luciano Conti of Bologna. Raced by [[Scuderia Serenissima]] during the early 1960s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/all.ferraris/Detail/3445GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3445GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref></small>
|-
| 3451GT
| 20 April 1962
| LHD
| Maroon/white roof
| [[Lawrence Stroll]]<br />[[Montreal]], Canada
| <small>Purchased November 1996 via Duncan Hamilton.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/all.ferraris/Detail/3451GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3451GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref></small>
|-
| 3505GT
| 20 April 1962
| RHD
| Pale green
| [[Craig McCaw]]<br />[[Santa Barbara, CA]], USA
| <small>Originally shipped to UK for use by [[Stirling Moss]]</small>
|-
| 3527GT
| 22 May 1962
| LHD 
| Rosso Cina
| Dr. Richard E. Workman<br />[[Windermere, Florida]], USA
| <small> Built for [[Gotfrid Koechert]]. Sold by dealer Tom Hartley in mid-2019 for [[Irvine Laidlaw]]<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/VQ4ehQd4VLM Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200225204035/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ4ehQd4VLM&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ4ehQd4VLM| title = Tom Talks: Ferrari 250 GTO #3527GT - Tom Hartley Jnr | website=[[YouTube]]| date = 2 July 2019 }}{{cbignore}}</ref></small> [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ4ehQd4VLM Video] of 3527GT history and sale
|-
| 3589GT
| 20 April 1962
| RHD
| Blu scuro/Rosso
| Christoph Stieger<br />Teufen, CH
|<small>Originally shipped to Tommy Sopwith's Equipe Endeavour, Brighton, UK via Maranello Concessionaires Ltd.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/all.ferraris/Detail/3589GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3589GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref></small> [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GHbKZTCzVk Video] of 3589 history and restoration
|-
| 3607GT
| 6 June 1962
| LHD
| Rosso Cina/Blue
| [[S. Robson Walton]]<br />[[Bentonville, AR]], USA
|<small>Originally sold to Ferdinando Pagliarini.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/all.ferraris/detail/3607GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3607GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref></small>
|-
| 3647GT
| 6 June 1962
| RHD
| Rosso Cina
| James McNeil Jnr.<br />[[Staten Island, NY]], USA
|<small>Originally shipped to Col. Ronnie Hoare of [[Bowmaker]], UK, raced initially by [[John Surtees]] for Col. Hoare's [[Maranello Concessionaires]] team.</small> <small>Owned by James McNeil since 1966. The only 250 GTO to remain unrestored.<ref name=":14" /></small>
|-
| 3705GT
| 14 June 1962
| LHD 
| Rosso Cina/Blue
| Ed Davies<br />[[Coral Gables, Florida]], USA
|<small>Came second at the 1962 [[24 Hours of Le Mans]], driven by [[Jean Guichet]]/[[Pierre Noblet]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/All.Ferraris/Detail/3705GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3705GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref></small>
|-
| 3729GT
| 28 July 1962
| RHD 
| Bianco
| Jon Shirley<br /> J&M, LLC
|<small>Originally shipped to John Coombs in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/all.ferraris/detail/3729GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3729GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref></small>
|-
|3757GT
| 20 April 1962
| LHD
| Red/Blue
| [[Nick Mason]]<br />London, England
|<small>Originally shipped to [[Jacques Swaters]] Ecurie Francorchamps racing team. Came third at the 1962 24 Heures du Mans.</small>
|-
| 3765LM
| 1 May 1962
| LHD
| Rosso Cina
| Luc Poirier Montreal, Canada
|<small> 4L Sefac car. Raced [[6 Hours of Nürburgring|Nürburgring 1000 km]] and 24 heures du Mans in 1962. James Jaeger sold by auction 13 Nov 2023<ref>{{cite web | url=https://rmsothebys.com/gto/ | title=1962 Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO by Scaglietti &#124; the One – 1962 Ferrari GTO }}</ref></small>
|-
| 3767GT
| 26 July 1962
| RHD
| [[BP]] green
| [[Anthony Bamford]]<br />[[Oakamoor]], England 
|<small>Originally shipped to [[David Piper (racing driver)|David Piper]] in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/all.ferraris/detail/3767GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3767GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref></small>
|-
| 3769GT
| 13 June 1962
| LHD
| Grey metallic<br />with blue central stripe
| Anthony Wang<br />[[Long Island, NY]], USA
|<small>Originally shipped to [[Fernand Tavano]] for the 1962 24 Heures du Mans, DNF.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/all.ferraris/detail/3769GT.250GTO.htm|title=Detail - 250 GTO s/n 3769GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref></small>
|-
| 3809GT
| 9 July 1962
| LHD
| Rosso Cina
| Ernesto Bertarelli, Swiss
|<small>Originally shipped to [[Kalman von Czazy]] in Switzerland<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/all.ferraris/detail/3809GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 3809GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref></small>
|-
| 3851GT
| 11 September 1962
| LHD
| Rosso Cina
| Carlos Monteverde, UK
|<small>Badly damaged twice</small>
|-
| 3869GT
| 8 October 1962
| RHD
| Rosso Cina
| Giorgio Perfetti, Swiss
|<small>Raced by Ron Fry in 1963, 1964</small>
|-
| 3909GT
| 10 September 1962
| LHD
| Rosso Cina
| John McCaw, USA
|<small>Raced by Jo Siffert at 500 Km Spa 1963</small>
|-
| 3943GT
| 16 October 1962
| LHD
| Rosso Cina
| Charles E. Nearburg, USA
|<small> Class Winner 1000km Nürburgring 1963</small>
|-
| 3987GT
| 11 October 1962
| LHD
| Rosso Cina
| [[Ralph Lauren]], USA
|<small> Winner over all at 1000 Km Paris 1962 with Rodriguez</small>
|-
| 4091GT
| 17 November 1962
| LHD
| Grigio metallic
| Peter G. Sachs, USA
|<small> Class winner at Targa Florio 1965 with Clemente Ravetto</small>
|-
| 4115GT
| 7 December 1962
| LHD
| Silver metallic
| Paul Vestey, England
|<small> The only GTO deliver new in Germany</small>
|-
| 4153GT
| 2 June 1963
| LHD
| Silver metallic
| David MacNeil, USA
|<small> Winner over all at Tour de France 1964</small>
|-
| 4219GT
| 5 February 1963
| LHD
| Rosso Cina
| Brandon Wang, England
|<small> Delivered new to a young American heiress Mamie Spears Reynolds in 1963. Raced by Rodriguez in period</small>
|-
| 4293GT
| 22 April 1963
| LHD
| Rosso Cina
| William E « Chip » Connor, USA
|<small> Class Winner 24 heures du Mans 1963</small>
|-
| 4399GT
| 29 May 1963
| RHD
| Rosso Cina
| Anthony Bamford, England
|<small> Raced the 24 heures du Mans 1964</small>
|-
| 4491GT
| 7 June 1963
| RHD
| BP Green
| Johann Anton Rupert, South Africa
|<small> Car rebodied many times</small>
|-
| 4561SA
| 23 September 1963
| RHD
| Rosso Cina
| Carlo Vögele, Swiss
|<small> 4 Liter customer car</small>
|-
| 4675GT
| 23 May 1963
| LHD
| Rosso Cina
| Claudio Roddaro, Monaco
|<small> Deliver new to Pasquale Annunziata in Roma. The car raced the Tour de France 1963 with Guido Fossati and the Targa Florio 1964 with Jean Guichet. Later raced by Luigi Taramazzo from Bordighera. Sold in 2024 to Claudio Roddaro.</small>
|-
| 4713GT
| 5 June 1963
| LHD
| Rosso Cina
| Lulu Wang, USA
|<small> The only GTO with a 330 LMB body style</small>
|-
| 4757GT
| 5 June 1963
| LHD
| Rosso Cina
| Tom Price, USA
|<small> The car raced the 24 heures du Mans 1963</small>
|-
| 5095GT
| 6 September 1963
| LHD
| Rosso Cina
| [[National Museum of Qatar]]
|<small> 2nd over all at the Tour de France 1963</small>
|-
| 5111GT
| 6 September 1963
| LHD 
| Rosso Cina
| Unknown
|<small>Originally shipped to [[Jean Guichet]] in France.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/all.ferraris/detail/5111GT.250GTO.htm|title=250 GTO s/n 5111GT|website=www.barchetta.cc|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref><ref name="Pourret1987" /></small>
|-
|}

== See also ==
* [[Ferrari 250]]
* [[Ferrari 250 GT SWB Breadvan]], a 250 SWB modified by [[Giotto Bizzarrini]] and [[Piero Drogo]] for [[Giovanni Volpi]], in order to challenge the 250 GTO

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
250 GTO Vin. 3223 GT : https://pbase.com/ferrari250gto/250_gto_vin3223

Damaged 250 GTO : https://pbase.com/ferrari250gto/crash

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |last1=Buckley |first1=Martin |last2=Chris Rees|title=World Encyclopedia of Cars: The Definitive Guide to Classic and Contemporary Cars from 1945 to the Present Day |location=London |publisher=Anness Publishing |year=1998 |isbn=1-84038-083-7 |oclc=40502946}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Ferrari 250 GTO}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-5JNxVVkDA A gathering of GTOs for the 45th Anniversary celebration]
* [https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/history/garage/1962/250-gto Ferrari 250 GTO: Ferrari History]

{{Scuderia Ferrari}}
{{Early Ferrari vehicles}}
{{Ferrari}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ferrari 250 Gto}}
[[Category:Ferrari vehicles|250 GTO]]
[[Category:Grand tourers]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1962]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 1964]]