The 1962 model, commissioned by British John Coombs, was driven by Graham Hill and maintains its original condition
The car collector market is looking forward to the auction of one of the rarest vehicles in history: the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, chassis 3729GT. Expected to be the star of the Mecum Auctions event in January 2026, in the United States, the model is the only one among the 36 examples manufactured that left Maranello originally painted in white, in the shade “Bianco Speciale”. Experts estimate that the auction could exceed the 60 million euro mark.
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While the vast majority of 250 GTO cars sport the traditional “Rosso Corsa”, this particular example broke with tradition at the request of its first owner, the influential Jaguar driver and dealer, John Coombs. The choice for the light color aimed to highlight the car on the tracks against red rivals, creating a unique visual identity that has lasted for more than six decades.
In addition to the aesthetic peculiarity, the vehicle stands out for its history of preservation. Unlike many classics that undergo invasive restorations, the 3729GT chassis retains its structural authenticity, preserving to this day period modifications, such as additional air intakes and functional aerodynamic adjustments aimed at competition. The sporting pedigree is reinforced by those behind the wheel: legends such as Graham Hill and Roy Salvadori drove the machine, accumulating podiums and victories on elite European circuits, such as Goodwood.
Under the hood, the white Ferrari 250 GTO preserves the legendary 3.0 type 168/62 V12 engine. The engine delivers approximately 300 hp — an expressive number for engineering in the early 1960s. The mechanical set, coupled to a five-speed manual transmission, offered performance that made the model practically unbeatable in its category.
The combination of rarity (one in 36), proven historical provenance and the “Bianco Speciale” configuration positions this lot as a potential record-holder for values in automotive public auctions.
