Race to buy rare Ferrari ends with sale for a massive £5.2m

Sold ... rare Ferrari went for a massive £5.2million

A RARE 1958 Ferrari has become one of the world's most expensive supercars after it sold at auction for a whopping £5.2million.

The midnight-blue convertible 250 GT LWB California Spider model - one of only 50 ever made - was the subject of a bidding war which saw it soar past its £4.2m estimate. 

It was sold by auctioneers Gooding and Company at the meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, after passing through the hands of just three owners in the past four decades. 

It was lovingly restored in 2012, going on to scoop a Platinum trophy and a set of almost perfect scores when it was shown off at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the American Ferrari Club Meet. 

Fully restored ... Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider

 

The model, certified as genuine by the Ferrari Classiche Department, features rare covered headlights, and an interior decorated with tan leather. 

David Gooding, president and founder of Gooding & Company said: “We always look forward to January because Scottsdale automotive auction week is a dynamic and significant marketplace for our business as well as the collector car industry as a whole." 

The auction also saw a cream 1957 Maserati 150 GT Spider prototype go up for sale, eventually being snapped up for just under £2m 

In June last year, a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO made for race driver Stirling Moss was sold to US car collector Craig McCaw for a reported £22m. 

If true, that would make it the most expensive Ferrari ever sold.