Given it has just cost its new owner $27.5 million, we're unlikely to see
this Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S N.A.R.T. Spyder
out on the road too frequently. Fortunately, the guys at Petrolicious have recently filmed the very car sold this weekend by RM Auctions, and a fine video it makes too.
Driven all its life, sale money donated to charity
Just 10 N.A.R.T.s were made by Ferrari after US importer Luigi Chiennti had persuaded Enzo the demand existed in the States. Chassis number 10709 was purchased by Eddie Smith Senior in March 1968, and it was to stay in the Smith family for the next 45 years.
During this time, it was joined by later Ferrari models and underwent a colour change; before it even reached America, Steve McQueen tried to buy it after his own N.A.R.T. was written off. As its value continued to rise, some thought Smith's decision to drive the N.A.R.T. seemed foolish; his son Eddie Junior indeed suggests they were 'incredulous' that such use continued. But the Spyder was driven and enjoyed up until Eddie Senior's death, just as any discerning enthusiast would.
As we've come to expect from Petrolicious, this video is slick and attractive, no doubt helped by such beautiful subject matter (we mean the car...). It's a fascinating and emotional story, documented in a wonderful way. The money raised by selling the Spyder has been donated to charities chosen by Eddie Smith Senior before he died; a petrolhead of fine taste and a philanthropist, he sounds like quite a bloke! For the full story see RM's auction listing here. Or just watch the video!
[Sources: Petrolicious, photos RM Auctions/Darin Schnabel]