Monterey is RM Auctions' flagship sale of the year, with some of the world's finest cars going under the hammer in California. This Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta is the second one ever built and was actually produced before the first Tour de France victory in 1956. The triumph of Alfonso de Portago and co-driver Edmund Nelson that year marked the start of what became a three-year winning streak for the 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione.
This specific 250 GT, chassis 0507 GT, has quite the life story - five days after it was delivered to original owner Dr Ottavio Randaccio, he entered it into the 1956 Mille Miglia. By 1958 the car was passed on to Angelo Roma, who selected French rally driver Rene Trautmann to race the 250 GT in countless events. Over the course of its life, the car was updated to reflect later models: new headlights and tail lights were fitted, while the styling was modernised by lowering the nose, fitting a smaller grille, covering the headlamps and adding a rear spoiler. When the car was purchased by Claus Ahlefeld in 2000, it was fully restored to its original configuration you see here. It's worth remembering too how important the TdF is in the history of Ferrari V12s too; without its success, we may have never seen the likes of the 250 GTO and GT SWB. Now you can enjoy this rare Ferrari in all of its glory on your devices.
[Photo: Darin Schnabel for RM Sotheby's]