2019 RM Sotheby's Monterey Sale (Ferrari 250 GT SWB Announcement)

A 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta is offered without reserve at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2019 classic car auction.

RM Sotheby’s announced a late-production 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB as the latest top car for the Monterey 2019 sales in mid-August 2019. This Ferrari comes with an estimate of $8,000,000 to $10,000,000 and is offered without reserve. The car is restored in its original colors and is Ferrari Classiche certified as a fully matching-numbers example.

RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2019 Sale

RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2019 classic car auction: 15 – 17 August 2019 with the first day dedicated to Aston Martin marque cars only.

In 2019, RM Sotheby’s earned $107 million from the three-day Monterey sale. The sell-through rate was 74%.

At the 2018 Monterey auction, RM Sotheby’s earned $158 million by selling 124 of 150 lots (83%). The average sale price was $1,270,903.

At the 2017 auction, RM Sotheby’s earned $133 million with a sell-through rate of 88% and 32 cars sold for over a million dollar. RM Sotheby’s three-day Monterey 2016 auction remained the highest grossing classic car auction ever with $173 million earned and 35 million-dollar cars sold.

1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta

The 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, chassis #3359 GT, is the latest lead car announced for the RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2019 classic car auction. The car is offered without reserve and a presale estimate of $8,000,000 to $10,000,000.

Chassis no. 3359 GT, with coachwork by Scaglietti, is one of only 40 steel body SWB Berlinettas built in the final production run during 1962, exhibiting the desirable aesthetic distinctions of the late-production cars. A model only made available to Ferrari’s top clients in period, the SWB was the predecessor to the legendary 250 GTO as one of the ultimate high-speed Gran Turismo cars which could be driven to the track, win a race, and then driven home.

1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Rear — Patrick Ernzen © 2019 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

This particular 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta was sold new to Giuseppe Chiusolo of Naples, Italy, finished in stunning Grigio Argento over Red Connolly Vaumol leather and equipped with the latest Tipo 168/61 V-12 engine, Abarth exhaust, and Borrani wire wheels.

The Ferrari passed through a handful of additional Italian owners before eventually landing with Mike Fisher of the UK in the early 1970s, making its way to the U.S. later that decade, where it competed in a handful of historic racing events.

Fast forward to the 1990s and the car returned to Europe, where it participated in five editions of the Tour Auto. In 2010, the Ferrari was acquired by noted Swiss collector Jean-Pierre Slavic, who commissioned its complete restoration, overseen by Ferrari Classiche and carried out by the experts at Carrozzeria Autosport of Modena, and Autofficina Bonini of Cadelbosco, an official Ferrari service agent.

Following restoration, chassis no. 3359 GT received the lauded Ferrari Classiche Certification, complete with the coveted Red Book, attesting to the car’s authenticity. In 2012, it was invited to the exclusive Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, where it received the Mention of Honour award in the competitive Ferrari 250 Dynasty Class. Now under American ownership, the SWB is presented in exceptional condition at RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale, 15-17 August, as one of the finest examples of the model and a must-have in any collection of the world’s best sports and GT cars.

1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinettas at Auction

Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinettas rarely come to auction and in recent years frequently failed to reach reserve prices. Results in recent years were mostly around $8 million but several bids above $8 million were refused. Competition versions have sold for up to $13.5 million (Gooding, Pebble Beach 2016) and a California Spider for $18.5 million (Artcurial, Paris 2015).

This particular 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, chassis 3359 GT, was offered at Gooding Pebble Beach 2016 but failed to sell. The estimate then was $10 to 12 million.

Monterey Week 2019 Car Auctions News

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