A RARE Ferrari has set a world record for the most expensive car sold at auction, with an anonymous buyer ignoring the global recession by paying €9.02 million ($A16.2 million) for a 1957 250 Testa Rossa.
This beats the previous world record – set at the same event at Ferrari’s Maranello factory a year ago – of €7.04m ($A12.4m) for a 1961 California paid by celebrity DJ Chris Evans.
Another famous Prancing Horse that was expected to challenge the record failed to sell after reaching €7.25m ($A12.8m). The 330 P4 is one of only three built, finished second at Le Mans in 1967 and raced in Australia at Surfers Paradise a year later, but which is currently in its last racing form with modified bodywork for the United States Can-Am series.
Also failing to sell on the day was a Maserati 250F Grand Prix car driven to victory in the 1956 Monaco Grand Prix by Stirling Moss. It was passed in at €1.35 million ($A2.4 million).
The record-setting black 3.0-litre V12 ‘pontoon-fender’ 250 Testa Rossa (chassis 0714TR) is one of 22 examples built and also has a racing history, but mainly in US amateur racing.
The new auction record was posted on Sunday at the third annual factory-sanctioned Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event held by RM Auctions, which would not reveal the identity of the winning phone bidder.
“The historical significance of this car attracted a bidding war as collectors from around the world – both in the room and on the telephone – competed to secure one of the most alluring and iconic of all Ferrari racing cars,” said RM Europe managing director Max Girardo.
Rare Ferrari sets $16m auction record
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