RE: Ferrari 250 GTO? $52m...
RE: Ferrari 250 GTO? $52m...
Thursday 3rd October 2013

Ferrari 250 GTO? $52m...

Prancing horses show no sign of calming down in the overheated classic market



Anyone who thought the classic car price boom was tailing off may have to wait a little longer before the bubble bursts. Another record has been set for the world's most expensive car.

That it's a Ferrari 250 GTO probably isn't too surprising; the $52million (£32m) price tag is staggering though.

Ex-Moss GTO a snip at just over £20m...
Ex-Moss GTO a snip at just over £20m...
This particular GTO, chassis #5111, was owned by collector Paul Pappalardo. Its competition history includes a win at the 1963 Tour de France. The price represents 49 per cent increase on the previous record price recorded for a, you've guessed it, Ferrari 250 GTO. The ex-Stirling Moss Apple Green GTO made $35million (£21.6m) last June.

Predictably, experts are now voicing concern about the sustainability of such meteoric price rises in the new car market. The most recent price index of rare Ferrari sales has shown a 54.5 per cent rise in values, against a typical yearly increase of about 15 per cent. This implies the values have to average out soon.

We suspect the latest owner will be enjoying their car far too much to be unduly concerned though. If the EuroMillions numbers don't come in for you tomorrow (and probably a few more weeks too!), take a look at this video of Mark Hales discussing and driving Nick Mason's GTO.

[Sources: Bloomberg via WCF, Telegraph, Moss car photo: Auto Italia Magazine/Michael Ward]

Author
Discussion

427James

Original Poster:

628 posts

242 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
Not sure that this is indicative of the prices of all classics, or of the classic car market as a whole. Old Astons and Ferraris have been increasing in price faster than anything else for donkey's years...

storminnorman

2,357 posts

181 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
surely we're nearing the peak now

Bash Brannigan

211 posts

216 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
As long as the next owner takes it to Goodwood then I don't care how much it's worth. These cars will always be in the stratosphere for mere mortals, so whether they're worth £1m or £100m is almost immaterial, it's the appreciation of the price that's more worrying. If it gets bought by an investor who carcoons it in the hope that the price rises will continue, that will be sad.

GreatGranny

9,519 posts

255 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
Has it actually sold for that or is it advertised for $52m?

Not obvious from the story or am I missing it?

XJR500bhp

1,205 posts

239 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
These cars don't benefit from being tucked away in a carcoon. They benefit from being raced, used and well looked after - the more history and provenance the better

Captainawesome

1,817 posts

192 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
No car is worth 32 million quid. These people have too much money. Ridiculous.

soad

34,637 posts

205 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
storminnorman said:
surely we're nearing the peak now
You'd think so.

DonkeyApple

69,654 posts

198 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
I don't like the wheels.

RSoovy4

35,829 posts

300 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
Captainawesome said:
No car is worth 32 million quid. These people have too much money. Ridiculous.
It's worth what someone is willing to pay.

It's more worth it than a painting, or some dumb piece of modern art.

Ownership of such a car means that you get invited to participate in events and to experience things which money alone cannot begin to open up to you.

"Too much money"? In whose opinion? Nick Mason has one of these cars, and he made his money be legitimate means by being in one of the greatest bands that ever lived - he brought pleasure to ten of millions.

Jealousy is a very unedifying trait.



One does wonder what Mason's insurers will be asking for next year though!!!


Cotty

42,220 posts

313 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
Captainawesome said:
No car is worth 32 million quid. These people have too much money. Ridiculous.
Agreed but idiots have too much money.

DonkeyApple

69,654 posts

198 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
Cotty said:
Captainawesome said:
No car is worth 32 million quid. These people have too much money. Ridiculous.
Agreed but idiots have too much money.
Indeed. The definition of an idiot is obviously someone who has $50m. wink

What casual observers usually miss is the the key details.

EG: "The red competition car, owned by the Greenwich, Connecticut-based collector Paul Pappalardo, was acquired last month by an unidentified buyer in a private transaction, said three specialist traders who independently confirmed the purchase and price to Bloomberg News. "

For me there are some interesting elements in that para alone. Such as, an unidentified buyer, 3 specialists all confirming the price and private transaction.

All leads me to believe that there are real details being obscurred. biggrin

RSoovy4

35,829 posts

300 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
DonkeyApple said:
Cotty said:
Captainawesome said:
No car is worth 32 million quid. These people have too much money. Ridiculous.
Agreed but idiots have too much money.
Indeed. The definition of an idiot is obviously someone who has $50m. wink

What casual observers usually miss is the the key details.

EG: "The red competition car, owned by the Greenwich, Connecticut-based collector Paul Pappalardo, was acquired last month by an unidentified buyer in a private transaction, said three specialist traders who independently confirmed the purchase and price to Bloomberg News. "

For me there are some interesting elements in that para alone. Such as, an unidentified buyer, 3 specialists all confirming the price and private transaction.

All leads me to believe that there are real details being obscurred. biggrin
I rather suspect that this car is going to be taken from public view, and placed in someone's house so that they can have it for themselves only.



wezo

250 posts

313 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
Fair play to whoever bought the car, if you have the means why not, you only get one chance at life.

As for idiots with money, on balance I would suggest there are a lot more without it than with it. Envy isn't the best of traits for a decent man to have.....

Behemoth

2,105 posts

160 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
Predictably, experts are now voicing concern about the sustainability of such meteoric price rises in the new car market.

Have I somehow gone back in time to 1963, but with the interweb still working? confused

Justin Case

2,195 posts

163 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
RSoovy4 said:
"Too much money"? In whose opinion? Nick Mason has one of these cars, and he made his money be legitimate means by being in one of the greatest bands that ever lived - he brought pleasure to ten of millions.
But then Nick Mason didn't pay $52m for his car, or even $20m or even anywhere near $1m.

http://www.ferraris-online.com/Articles/SCM_0209.h...

A lot of these classics have been in the same ownership for a number of years and the owners are no doubt feeling very pleased with themselves, but compared to other classic Ferraris (330 GTC anyone?) 250 GTOs do seem over-priced.

Mermaid

21,492 posts

200 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
soad said:
storminnorman said:
surely we're nearing the peak now
You'd think so.
SIV's went on for a while, did they not?

Captainawesome

1,817 posts

192 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
RSoovy4 said:
Captainawesome said:
No car is worth 32 million quid. These people have too much money. Ridiculous.
It's worth what someone is willing to pay.

It's more worth it than a painting, or some dumb piece of modern art.

Ownership of such a car means that you get invited to participate in events and to experience things which money alone cannot begin to open up to you.

"Too much money"? In whose opinion? Nick Mason has one of these cars, and he made his money be legitimate means by being in one of the greatest bands that ever lived - he brought pleasure to ten of millions.

Jealousy is a very unedifying trait.



One does wonder what Mason's insurers will be asking for next year though!!!
I'm not jealous, ut if I was that rich I wouldn't spunk 32 million on a car!!! I still think it's daft. I could go and buy a brand new 458 or gallardo and pay in cash right now if I so desired but I couldn't pop to tescos in those here. I would look like a tool. My daily is 11 years old....I drive it because I love it not because I can't afford anything better.

epom

14,865 posts

190 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
What bonkers money to pay for a car !! But Hey I assume it's their money so feel free to do what they please with it. I'd buy a 458 an F40 an F50 and an Enzo and drive the nuts off em' but hey whatever you are into smile

Davey S2

13,394 posts

283 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
Captainawesome said:
I could go and buy a brand new 458 or gallardo and pay in cash right now if I so desired but I couldn't pop to tescos in those here. I would look like a tool. My daily is 11 years old....I drive it because I love it not because I can't afford anything better.
That's a great story but what's the relevance to this article?

I believe that Nick Mason and his wife used to use their GTO to do the school run for many years.



Skater12

507 posts

187 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
Back in 1990 when a Bugatti Royale sold for over $15m the industry said $20m would be the peak.

Things are only worth what someone's willing to pay.
Cars are things, some people are stupid!