The name Ferrari is associated with elite performance and iconoclastic design. The ubiquitous red is as easily identifiable, as is the prancing horse, usually on a yellow background, adorned with the colors of the Italian flag and the initials “S F” for Scuderia Ferrari - the oldest and most successful Formula One team in history. The distinct roar of the engine is guttural and low and makes the experience of Ferrari a complete sensory event.
Ferrari has become synonymous with achievement, and owning one means membership to a world of exclusivity and high-stakes competition. While the Enzo, the Dino, the 488 Pista, the F 50 and other iconic models guarantee entry to the splendor of Ferrari, no other model has captured the collective imagination of high-end luxury seekers like the vintage Ferrari 250 GTO.
Produced from 1962 to 1964, the 250 GTO is considered the Holy Grail of automotive achievement, with only 36 ever produced. In August 2018, Ferrari 250 GTO number 23 auctioned for $48.4 million. In June 2018, a 1963 250 sold privately for a world-record $70 million.
The original concept of the 250 is attributed to designer Giotto Bizzarrini who pushed the limits of performance through a series now legendary wind-tunnel tests. These experiments informed the innovative lines of the car. The Ferrari website touts the results as the embodiment of the brand in having achieved “the highest levels of performance and styling.” Nicknamed The Monster, the 250 GTO was later modified and improved upon by designer Sergio Scagletti who gave it its signature shape.
From Ferris Bueller to Rocky V, Christie Brinkley in National Lampoon’s Vacation to Tom Cruise in Vanilla Sky, the Ferrari has transcended the niche European world of racing and solidified its place in the American psyche. Its flash, its speed, and its overall performance make it a compelling achievement as both machine and art. You know a Ferrari when you hear it and when you see it. A distinctly Italian brand has managed to embody very American aspirations for the many who view it as the ultimate trophy. The excellence epitomized by Ferrari inspires passionate craftsmen all over the world to push themselves beyond the limits of what is now. As a style piece, an engineering feat, and a product of expert craftsmanship, we look to Ferrari as a reminder that a product created for “the highest levels of performance and styling” is product of enduring value and legacy.
