FERRARI TOPS RM AUCTIONS' MONTEREY SALE

The top seller was a rare 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S N.A.R.T. Spider, of which only 10 were built, with this particular example being with the one owner, an avowed Ferrari enthusiast, from new.

The owner's friendship with the Ferrari importer for the USA, Luigi Chinetti, led him to purchase the N.AR.T. (which stood for Chinetti's successful North American Racing Team) Spider new in 1967.

Originally painted Azzurro Metallizzato (Metallic Blue) and fitted with a chrome grille guard from the factory, the Spider was repainted in dark red metallic in the 1980s and had been restored to near perfect condition more recently.

Seen as something of a Ferrari holy grail, at least amongst American collectors and enthusiasts, the N.A.R.T. Spider was expected to be a good seller at the Monterey auction, but the ultimate sale price of US$27.5 million (AU$30 million approx.) floored all involved.

While just short of the world record achieved by the Bonhams-auctioned Mercedes-Benz W196R F1 car, the sale price for the Ferrari makes it the new record-holder for the most expensive road-legal car sold at public auction.

The 275 GTB/4*S N.A.R.T. Spider was one of 13 Ferraris to sell for more than US$1 million at RM's Monterey auction. Mercedes-Benz, Maserati and Jaguar road and race cars also featured prominently amongst the 120 cars offered.

For details on all lots from this auction, go to www.rmauctions.com