Seventy million dollars or a seven followed by seven zeros, the equivalent (at today's exchange rates) of approximately 60 million euros is a considerable amount. You could buy a mega-house… or several; or 25 Bugatti Chiron (base price of €2.4 million, excluding tax).
But David MacNeil, automobile collector and CEO of WeatherTech — a company that sells car accessories — has decided to spend $70 million on a single car, which is an all-time record.
Of course, the car is pretty special — it's long been the classic with the highest value in its deal — and, not surprisingly, it's a Ferrari, perhaps the most revered Ferrari of all, the 250 GTO.
The Ferrari 250 GTO for 60 million euros
As if the Ferrari 250 GTO wasn't unique in itself — only 39 units were produced — the unit MacNeil purchased, chassis number 4153 GT, from 1963, is one of his most special examples, due to its history and condition.
Amazingly, despite having competed, this 250 GTO has never had an accident , and stands out from virtually every other GTO for its distinctive gray paint with a yellow stripe — red is the most common color.
The 250 GTO's goal was to compete, and the 4153 GT's track record is long and distinguished in that department. He ran, in his first two years, for the famous Belgian teams Ecurie Francorchamps and Equipe National Belge — that's where he won the yellow belt.
The #4153 GT in action
In 1963 he finished fourth in the 24 Hours of Le Mans — conducted by Pierre Dumay and Léon Dernier —, and would win the 10-day long Tour de France in 1964 , with Lucien Bianchi and Georges Berger at his command. Between 1964 and 1965 he would participate in 14 events, including the Angola Grand Prix.
Between 1966 and 1969 he was in Spain, with Eugenio Baturone, his new owner and pilot. It would only reappear in the late 1980s, when it was bought by Frenchman Henri Chambon, who ran the 250 GTO in a series of historic races and rallies, and would eventually be sold again in 1997 to the Swiss Nicolaus Springer. It would also race the car, including two Goodwood Revival appearances. But in 2000 it would be sold again.
Ferrari 250 GTO #4153 GT
This time it would be German Herr Grohe, who paid around 6.5 million dollars (approximately 5.6 million euros) for the 250 GTO, selling it three years later to compatriot Christian Glaesel, himself a pilot — it is speculated that it was Glaesel himself who sold David MacNeil the Ferrari 250 GTO for nearly €60 million.
the restoration
During the 1990s, this Ferrari 250 GTO would be restored by DK Engineering — British Ferrari specialist — and gained Ferrari Classiche certification in 2012/2013. DK Engineering CEO James Cottingham was not involved in the sale, but having first-hand knowledge of the model, he commented: “This is without a doubt one of the best 250 GTOs out there in terms of history and originality. His period in competition is very good […] He has never had a big accident and remains very original.”