Find This 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO at the 14th Annual Boca Concours d’Elegance
Let’s start this off with a question…What is the best and most valuable car Ferrari has ever made?
For those who answered a “1962 Ferrari 250 GTO”, you got it! Although there are many great and famous sports cars that have blessed the world thanks to Enzo Ferrari and his brilliant team, the ’62 Ferrari 250 GTO is one of the most discussed and sought after classic cars in history. It is extremely rare, unbelievably valuable, and downright beautiful, outside, inside and under the hood…However, and unfortunately, most people will never witness a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO in person. For the vast majority, the only examination of this masterpiece-on-wheels that will take place is in the virtual realm…UNLESS…you attend the 14th Annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance Main Event, because this year, the 250 GTO featured in this post will be on display, ready to be judged.
In this feature, we are going to tell you all about this 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Scaglietti AND we are going to discuss what you can expect from Sunday’s Main Event at the 14th Annual Boca Concours d’Elegance.
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO by Scaglietti
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO by Scaglietti is one of the planet’s most important, desirable, alluring, and legendary motor cars. Moreover, it is also one of the rarest.
How many Ferrari 250 GTOs are there in the world?
There are only 36 250 GTOs in the world, and this includes all 250 GTOs manufactured from 1962 to 1964.
Note: 33 250 GTOs were made in 1962-63 (Series 1) and 3 250 GTOs were made in 1964 (Series II, which has similar bodywork as the Ferrari 250LM).
The car we are looking at here, and which will be at Boca Concours this year, is a Series 1 250 GTO. A model that was designed by Giotto Bizzarrini and Serio Scaglietti.
History of the Ferrari 250 GTO
The Ferrari 250 GTOs have a special history. It’s a car that had it all. Stunning styling, power, speed, control, exclusivity, and championship-winning engineering…and here is how it came to fruition.
When Ferrari lost to an E-Type Jaguar in the 1961 24 Hours of Le Mans (the world’s oldest active sports car race in endurance racing), Enzo Ferrari assigned Giotto Bizzarrini (an Italian automobile engineer who was the chief sports car developer at Ferrari in the late 50s and 60s) to a new project. Bizzarrini was asked to develop a car that would dominate the GT race car world, allowing Ferrari to regain control as the reigning champion.
So, Bizzarrini and his team went to work, ultimately creating a more aerodynamic, faster GT racer. One that would go on to win many races, and eventually, become a legendary car forever engraved in the history of Ferrari and endurance racing.
250 GTO Development
The chassis and drivetrain for the 250 GTO was based on the highly successful 250 Berlinetta.
Beginning with the tremendously reliable Colombo V-12 Engine, Bizzarrini constructed everything so it was a lot lighter, yet at the same time, stronger.
The 250 GTO had a 5-speed transmission, six Weber carburetors, wider wheels and tires, a more rigid structure, and it was all sheathed by one of the most voluptuous, vivid and seductive bodies ever designed.
Exterior
The 250 GTO’s engine is mounted in the front, under a prolonged hood that occupies over a third of the car’s entire length.
The nose of the car is quite simple. It has a small oval grill and circular headlamps that are safeguarded by transparent plastic caps. Nevertheless, the sculpted, convex fenders and hood, which resemble a “coke bottle”, became a design masterpiece that is immensely revered in the industry.
At the rear, domineeringly enormous fenders produce a tasteful and graceful contrast with the almost flat rear glass and trunk territory. The sweeping design ceases rapidly when the fenders and trunk meet the protuberant spoiler and cropped off rear end. Yet another remarkable hallmark of the 250 GTO.
A lot of Giotto Bizzarrini and Sergio Scaglietti design elements would later be borrowed by many other 1960s sports cars. And the 250 GTO quickly became the archetype for GT sports cars due to its incredible aerodynamics and lightweight (total weight of 1,940lbs).
Engine
The 250 GTO has a 3.0 liter V12 engine, which was borrowed from the 250 Testarossa. The engine is a highly reliable all-alloy design that utilizes a dry sump and six Weber carburetors.
How fast is the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO?
The powerful twelve banger produces 302 hp at 7,500 rpm and 246 pound-feet of torque at 5,500 rpm. This enables the 250 GTO to hit 60mph from a dead stop in 5.4 seconds. Moreover, it can do a quarter-mile in 13.1 seconds and it can reach a top speed of 174mph. All very impressive stats during the early 1960s.
Although the engine wasn’t new, the 5-speed manual transmission was. This, combined with a lighter weight and better aerodynamics, is what made the 250 GTO stand out on the road and win races.
Interior
The interior of the 250 GTO has true race car DNA. In fact, they went so racecar-extreme that they contemplated removing the speedometer altogether.
Moreover, any amenity that you’d find on a luxurious Ferrari is absent. This includes the leather upholstery, carpeting, and roof headliner. Instead, they used cloth wrapped seats, they exposed the tubular space frame, and they completely stripped the door panels.
What’s more, the 250 GTO has a wooden frame three-spoke steering wheel. Definitely not something our contemporary standards are used to. And if we further compare it to modern-day race cars, the 250 GTOs flat-bottom design is significantly larger…
All in all, these are aspects you can expect to see when peeking inside this iconic classic race car. The 250 GTO is a bona fide driver’s car. It is completely vacant of conveniences that make it comfortable. The inside is a cockpit made for winners and winning.
Racing
When the 250 GTO was presented, it was a magnificent period in time…Ferrari created the perfect weapon, enabling them to command races.
Thanks to the 250 GTO, Ferrari went on to win the over-2000cc class of the FIA’s ‘International Championship for GT Manufacturer’ in 1962, 1963, and 1964. It also won the 1963 and 1964 ‘Tour de France Automobile’, earning Ferrari nine years of dominance in that race.
In the end, the 250 GTO was one of the last front-engined cars to stay competitive at the top level of sports car racing.
21st Century
Over 50 years later, the 250 GTO is widely recognized as the epitome of a classic Ferrari GT. It has earned top iconic ranking among judicious Ferrari collectors. It is one of the most sought after cars in the world. Yet only 36 fortunate people are able to claim it as their own. And because of this, the Ferrari 250 GTO is extraordinarily valuable.
What is a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO worth?
A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO recently sold for $48.4 million dollars at an auction in California. At the time, this was the most a classic car had ever sold for at an auction.
Now consider this, the 1962 250 GTO’s original price was $18,500. Can you say “incredible investment?”
So, the above explains a brief history of the 250 GTO as a whole. However, each of the 36 250 GTOs have their own special history and story. So, here is the story of this particular 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO…
The Story of THIS Ferrari 250 GTO
The chassis number on this particular 250 GTO is #3527. And we mention its chassis number first because this is where its story begins, as two 250 GTOs have worn this chassis number.
The first to be designated with #3527 was the 6th 250 GTO. That car was delivered on May 22nd, 1962. It was raced in the Nurburgring 100km race a week later. However, it withdrew from the race early and was sent back to the factory promptly after the race.
At the same time, a man named Kalman von Csazy had made an order for a 250 GTO. But it was still not finished yet, and it wouldn’t be for months. So, Ferrari decided to change the chassis number from #3527 to #3809 and sell the 6th 250 GTO to Kalman von Csazy.
From there, Ferrari assigned the car that was still in production the chassis number #3527. Eventually, it was finished, and on September 16th, 1962, it became the 16th 250 GTO. The 16th 250 GTO included all of the modifications that were on all the later GTOs. Hence it being a Scaglietti. Scaglietti was the designer for the upgrade period of the 250 GTO.
Note: The 16th 250 GTO is the car of this feature and the one that will be at the 14th Annual Boca Concours d’Elegance Main Event.
The 16th 250 GTO was sold to Lucien Bianchi at Garage Francorchamps in Belgium. He immediately entered the car into the 1962 Tour de France Automobile race. It was an enervating, exhausting 9-day event that comprised 7 race circuits and 5 hillclimbs. Moreover, it included driving of the car on public roads in-between events…
After the 8th day of racing across France, this 250 GTO, driven by Lucien Bianchi and Claude Dubois, was in first place. They were on their way to the last race at the Reims-Gueux circuit in northern France. Then devastation struck. A milk truck pulled out in front of the bone-tired drivers and they collided. Luckily, the steadfast V12 engine was fine, as were the drivers. However, the drivers were refused from finishing the event due to safety concerns. This took them from a potential first-place finish to 7th place overall. It wasn’t all bad news for Ferrari, though, as a Ferrari 250 GT SWB ended up coming in first.
As for the fate of the 16th 250 GTB ever created, the damage was sizable. So much so that the front of the car needed to be taken off completely. Of course, it was fixed and back to new in no time.
It went on to race in the Paris 1000kms race and multiple hillclimbs before retiring as a race car. From there, the car was forever a road car, and one of immense appreciation.
Owners of this 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO – The 16th 250 GTO
This 250 GTO has always had wonderful caretakers, which is why it is in such great condition. As it has been for its entire road car life.
Former owners have partaken in GTO reunions, which occur every 5 years. These reunions see most of the 36 original 250 GTOs. They always take place at an exclusive location where the owners can drive the legendary motor cars at speeds that rival the historic drivers.
In 2019, the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO #3527 was added to the Rare Wheels Collection and was driven on the 4-day 1,000 mile Colorado Grand Road Tour.
Are you interested in seeing this car in person?
There is a lot of hype for the 14th Annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance. One of the reasons is that this incredible rare car will be in attendance.
YES, this 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO will be at the Main Event of Boca Concours on Sunday, February 9th, 2020.
Sunday’s Main Event at the 14th Annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance
The 14th Annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance begins on Friday, February 7th, 2020 and continues through the weekend with its spectacular three-day event.
You can read all about what to expect at the Boca Concours this year here…
Why you don’t want to miss the 14th Annual Boca Concours d’Elegance classic car show.
For now, we just want to quickly focus on Sunday’s event…
On Sunday, February 9th, the most exquisite collector cars from around the country will assemble on the show field at the famous Boca Raton Resort & Club. There will be a profusion of fine collector cars there. For example, the incredible collection from Duesenberg’s (Marque of the Year for the Straight Eight Model A) and this 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.
The show set up begins at 7:00 am to 8:30 am. Then, at 9 am, the judging starts. The judging process combines a point and percentage system, as well as the Modified French Rule evaluation criteria. So, it considers the cars condition, authenticity/originality, and appeal in multiple areas, such as the car’s exterior, interior, engine area, and complete presentation, visual impact and significance.
Do you think the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO will win? Let’s wait and see.
If you want to see what happens firsthand, VIP admission starts at 9:30 am and General Admission starts at 10 am on Sunday, February 7th. But, you should buy your tickets ASAP…
Beyond a plethora of antique, vintage and classic cars, guests will have the chance to satisfy their taste buds with gourmet foods, wines and cocktails from South Florida’s finest restaurants in the Concours d’Gourmet Pavilions (VIP ticket entry). There will also be delectable snacks available around the show field as well.
Recap of last year’s Boca Concours Main Event.
Put simply, you don’t want to miss the 14th Annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance main event or this classic 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
