Long‑nose Ferrari 275 GTB sells for £2.8 million

The Ferrari and Citroën make quite a pairing – Italian V12 thoroughbred versus quirky twin-engined French all-wheel-driver. Both are rare and collectible though, as shown by the interest they generated at the sale.

The Ferrari, one of 60 long-nose 275 GTBs with an alloy body, sold for €2,875,000 including the premium (about £2.5 million), while the 1964 2CV Sahara – an early Belgian-built example of the car with engines both in the front and the back – went for €86,250 (£75,750).

Overall the sale showed that, despite economic uncertainties, you can rely on the prancing horse to do the auction business. “The allure of the prancing horse is always powerful at Zoute,” said Bonhams’ Philip Kantor.

A gorgeous 250 GT Cabrio, estimated to make £1.1-1.4m, didn’t find a buyer on the day, but five other Ferraris did, dominating Bonhams’ top 10 list at what was a record Belgian sale for the firm.

Hard on the heels of the top-priced 275 GTB came a 2004 Ferrari Enzo which sold to a European bidder in the room for €1.5m. One of 400 Enzos, it has covered less then 27,000km.

Other Ferraris to find buyers were a 1989 F40, which sold for €920,000; a 2016 F12tdf, delivered new to Belgium, which achieved €747,500; a 1980 512 Berlinetta Boxer which realised €253,000; and, more affordably, a 1997 550 Maranello, supplied new to John Asprey, which sold for €66,700 – or £58,000 – including the premium.

Non-Ferrari highlights from the sale include the million euros that a “concours standard” 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster made, a 1974 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale which sold for €402,500 and a 1958 AC Ace-Bristol Roadster which realised for €281,750. 

Images courtesy of Bonhams.