A $55 Mln Ferrari?

(RTTNews) - A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO is on sale for an astounding $55 million. Once sold, it will become the most expensive car ever sold in the world.

The current world record auction price stands at $38.1 million, paid in 2014 for a red version of the same Ferrari 250 GTO model that formerly belonged to British racing legend Stirling Moss.

The car is being sold by UK-based Ferrari dealer Talacrest. The company believes that the rare blue color of the car, a divergence from the traditional Ferrari red, will make a difference to the price.

"The color is striking, the blue with a white stripe - it's original race colors and the race history on the car is really good," John Collins, founder of Talacrest said.

Only 39 Ferrari 250 GTOs have ever been produced between 1962 and 1964. This includes 33 cars with 1962-63 bodywork, three cars with 1964 bodywork similar to the Ferrari 250 LM, and three "330 GTO" specials with a larger engine.

The car being sold, chassis 3387, was only the second made and the first one ever to be raced. It has achieved 17 podium finishes in the 27 races it competed in.

This car was completed on March 16, 1962, whereupon it immediately started testing duties at Monza for Scuderia Ferrari to assist the development of the 250 GTO model.

Later that month, the car was delivered to Luigi Chinetti Motors, where as a NART entry it gained the distinction of becoming the first 250 GTO to race. It was a successful debut finishing second overall and first in class at the 1962 Sebring 12 Hours race, driven by Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien.

The 250 GTO features a V12 engine that helps the car hit 62 miles per hour in about six seconds. The coupe is capable of a top speed of 160 miles per hour.