Published on 08/15/2014 at 4:21 p.m.
A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta shattered the record for the most expensive car sold at auction by fetching $38 million at a sale in California, local media reported.
The previous record was held by a 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196, acquired for $30 million last year in England.
The Ferrari, put up for auction during “car week” in Monterey near San Francisco, is a red two-seater from the Maranello Rosso collection.
The car’s first owner, French racing driver Jo Schlesser, rode it during the 1962 Tour de France Automobile with his compatriot Henri Oreiller, according to the Bonhams house which organized the sale.
Pillow was killed in October of the same year during a race on the Montlhéry circuit, south of Paris.
After the accident, the Ferrari was acquired by Fabrizio Violati, a member of a wealthy Italian family. He used it for years to participate in races.
Monterey sales manager Robert Brooks did not disclose the name of the buyer.
Famous people who own a Ferrari 250 GTO include Ralph Lauren and Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason, according to the Los Angeles Times.
