RM Sotheby's
Sometime in the mid-sixties, the main Ferrari importer in America, a racing driver named Luigi Chinetti, decided that there was a gap in the Ferrari lineup.
He asked Enzo Ferrari himself for a convertible version of the 275 GTB/4, in which his American customers could soak up a little sunshine.
The result was the beautiful 275 GTB/4 NART Spyder — named for the North American Racing Team, Ferrari's stateside endurance racing program founded by Chinetti himself.
The car made a Hollywood appearance in the original 1968 version of "The Thomas Crowne Affair," in which it was ogled by the titular character, a millionare playboy and art-thievery enthusiast played by Steve McQueen.
The actor and noted car devotee would later buy a NART Spyder for himself.
Only ten NART Spyders were ever made, and all were intended to make it to the United States.
Except — oddly enough — this one, which was sold to to a Spanish Colonel of the Foreign Legion in February of 1968.
At an RM Sotheby's auction in Monaco next month, this 275 GTB/4 will headline an already star-studded docket, and is expected by the house to sell for between €19 million and €23 million ($21 million and $26 million).
Why that much? Well, it's from what is usually considered the greatest period of Ferrari road and race cars ...RM Sotheby's... and of that period, front engined, limited-edition convertibles usually reign supreme.RM Sotheby's
Its predecessor, the beguiling 250 GT California Spyder SWB, is another example from this very rare category. One sold at Amelia Island this year for $17.1 million.Copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company. Photo by Brian Henniker.
But the rarity of the one-of-ten NART Spyder is enough to add an extra $10 million to that price.RM Sotheby's
This particular example has a strange history. Despite the America-only intention of the program, one NART Spyder did manage to stay in Europe.RM Sotheby's
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
See Also:
- This Incredible Ferrari Costs $3.2 Million, And There Will Only Be 10 Of Them
- This is why the 1920s were the Golden Age of car design
- The Ferrari 458 Speciale Is A $300,000 Race Car That You Can Take On Normal Roads
SEE ALSO: This is why the 1920s were a Golden Age of car design
