This insanely cool Ferrari 250 GTE police car is up for sale

It’s also probably the most expensive, too, with Girardo & Co revealing the price only to those who can prove that they can afford it. Unfortunately, we’re not among that exclusive cohort, but we can tell you this – it’s expected to sell for well over the half a million euros that similar, civilian examples have with Bonhams and RM Sotheby's recently.

What is it that could command such an inordinate sum, you ask? Well, firstly, it’s a Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Series II of early sixties vintage – an exquisite example of Ferrari’s first production 2+2, which was unveiled at the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans boasting a 240bhp 3.0-litre naturally-aspirated V12.

Its capacious cabin and top speed in excess of 140mph made it the perfect recruit for the Rome police force, and so it was that two factory-built Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Polizia found their way into some very lucky policemans’ hands in late 1962. And one of those policemen was Armando Spatafora, who had reportedly proposed the fast fleet as a solution to criminals’ ability to outrun the traditional Alfa Romeo 1900s and 2600s.

While one model was written off within a matter of weeks, our protagonist, chassis 3999 GT, continued to serve the force for the next six years, with the capable Spatafora behind the wheel. Imagine going out on shift in a 250 GTE? It would be like telling people to stay indoors today from the driver’s seat of a GTC4Lusso.

According to the listing on Girardo & Co, “The combination of Armando Spatafora and this Ferrari on night patrol became so legendary that beating him in a car chase became a matter of prestige in Rome’s criminal underworld. Spatafora’s success rate was incredible, his knowledge, experience and driving skills a lethal combination for any getaway.” Talk about the ultimate Italian job…

After retiring from active duty in late ’68, the Ferrari Polizia was reportedly then tasked with delivering emergency blood to Naples, and was rumoured to be able to cover the 124-mile route in under an hour. Ultimately it was sold in a 1972 military surplus auction to a certain Alberto Cappelli, who restored, raced and toured it over the next four decades. Rather fittingly, in 1984 it was reunited with Armando Spatafora at the Coppa delle Dolomiti race, where the by-now-retired Policeman set the second fastest time overall.

In the early-2000s, it was lent to the Museum of Police Vehicles in Rome, where the General Chief of Polizia used its original Polizia radio to communicate with the Polizia Head Quarters, and bestowed upon the car the right to drive with siren, blue light and “Squadra Volante” livery – making it the only private car in Italy to hold such special dispensation. It’s virtually a celebrity in the police world, receiving invites to the most exclusive events around the country, including the launch of Armandos daughter, Carmen’s, book “il Poliziotto con la Ferrari”, which tells the incredible story of her father and the car.

In 2015, it changed hands to the current Italian owner, who offers it for sale today – complete with its police equipment – with a comprehensive history including copies of the original build sheets and period Polizia documentation, plus photos of Spatafora and car from the early 1960’s. In 2014 Ferrari Classiches certified the chassis, engine, gearbox and rear axle to be entirely original.

So if you’ve got a spare million lying around, and are fond of a game of cops and robbers, here’s your chance…

Images courtesy of Girardo and Co.

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