Last year, a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO was crowned the most expensive car ever auctioned after it was sold for a record-smashing US$48.4m. While the coveted Ferrari 250 GTO is held in the collection of a mega-rich collector, other Ferrari fans can get their hands on one of its successors, a 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB, which is going under the hammer next week with an estimate of US$6m-8m. It has been hidden in a private collection and unseen for the past 25 years.

The Ferrari 275 GTB is the prototype of the entire 275 program

Introduced in 1964, the Ferrari 275 GTB with a chassis 06003 is the foundation for the entire 275 GTB program – the first example built and served as Ferrari’s prototype and development car. It is the one and only 275 GTB “Prototipo” and appropriately carries assembly sequence no. 1.

Like its predecessor, the 275 GTB features attractive coachwork penned by Pininfarina and constructed by Scaglietti. At the heart of the 275 GTB is the 3.3-liter tipo 213 engine, which is larger and more powerful than the earlier 250-series V-12.

The 275 GTB evolved during its four-year production run, spawning several variations: short- and long-nose two-cam models, four-cam berlinettas, and NART spiders, as well as a limited number of purpose-built competition models. Today, the 275 GTB and its variants are undoubtedly among the most revered, collectible, iconic, and valuable Ferraris of all time.

In January 1966, 06003 was entered in the 35th annual Monte Carlo Rally under the Milan-based racing team Scuderia Sant’Ambroeus. Sadly, driveline issues forced the Ferrari to retire near Nyons.

06003 was entered in the 35th annual Monte Carlo Rally

06003 was entered in the 35th annual Monte Carlo Rally

After the Monte Carlo Rally, 06003 returned to the Ferrari factory several times during 1966 for servicing. It was then sold and resold to various owners before the current owner acquired it in 1994. The car has remained in the collection and kept out of the public eye for 25 years.

Today, this car appears very much as it did when it competed in the Monte Carlo Rally in January 1966 and, importantly, it retains its matching-numbers engine, stamped 06003 with corresponding internal no. 04/64. A Sicilian dealership sticker on the rear window dating from the 1970s and various chalk marks and stampings can still be found on the car.

1964 Ferrari 275 GTB Prototype

Lot no.: 143
Estimate: US$6,000,000 - $8,000,000

Auction house: Gooding & Company
Sale: Scottsdale 2019
Sale dates: 18-19 January 2019