Feeling flush? This gorgeous Ferrari has remarkable provenance.
The Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder that was once the world’s most expensive car is on the market again. Twelve years ago, the rare open-topped V12 sports car became the very first car in history to sell for more than US$10 million when it fetched US$10,894,900 at an RM (now RM-Sotheby’s) auction held at Ferrari’s Maranello Formula One test track in Italy.
The car has a remarkable provenance, having been purchased by Hollywood actor James Coburn when he and Steve McQueen went into Brussels during the filming of blockbuster movie, The Great Escape.
James Coburn owned this fabulous Ferrari for 25 years, with it sharing driving duties with another Ferrari 250 GT/L Lusso. Coburn painted it three times (dark blue, silver, and burgundy) and could often be seen driving it in the Hollywood Hills with his friends and Great Escape co-stars James Garner, and Steve McQueen in tow. All three had Ferrari 250 GTs.
Coburn purchased the car from the famed Garage Francorchamps within minutes of clapping eyes on it for the first time, and kept it until 1986 when he decided to part with it when his health began to decline. It was then owned by two other (rather less famous) Americans before it was purchased in 2008 by British media personality, Chris Evans - becoming the most valuable car in history for a short period of time.
Interestingly, the car that was the most valuable in the world just 12 years ago is now on the edge of the top 50 most valuable cars ever sold at auction, as 52 cars have now sold for more than eight figures.
Recently listed for sale on Joe Macari’s web site, no price is quoted for the car, and no indication has been given to the expectations of the seller.