A classic Ferrari has become the most expensive car ever sold in Britain after it sold for £20.2 million.
The Ferrari 250 GTO is one of the world’s most sought-after cars, with just 39 built between 1962 and 1964.
This particular 1963 model is believed to have been sold by British multi-millionaire businessman Jon Hunt, who bought it in 2008 for a then world record price of £15.7 million, according to The Telegraph.
Mr Hunt, who founded London-based real estate agency Foxton and sold it for £370 million before the housing slump, has made a £4.5 million profit from the sports car in just three years.
The £20.2 million sale price makes this Ferrari 250 GTO the second most expensive car ever sold in the world after a 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC which went for “between £20 and £26 million” in 2010.
The sale terms were reportedly agreed in secret between the buyer and seller over the past fortnight, but rumours of the sale quickly began circulating among the vintage car industry.
John Collins, chairman of classic Ferrari specialist Talacrest, confirmed the GTO’s sale but refused to reveal if it was Mr Hunt’s model.
But records show Mr Hunt is the current owner of the vehicle – which is now thought to be on its way to its new home in Spain.
When it was launched in the 1960s by Enzo Ferrari, the 250 GTO was sold for a comparatively mere £6,000.
The 250 GTO was fitted with a 3-litre V12 engine producing 300bhp, with a 0-60mph time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 174mph.
UK-based Talacrest, which has been selling bluechip Ferraris for more than 30 years, saw record sales in 2011 despite the economic downturn.
Mr Collins said: “Wealthy people are spending a lot of money on classic Ferraris and everyone wants a GTO at the moment.
“Classic Ferraris have seen more gains than others, they’re like the Picassos of the car world.
“And the 250 GTO is the golden car of its generation, show me a man who wouldn’t want one.
“They are bought by people who have a love of cars and see them as an investment.
“I have bought and sold seven over the years including this model and I wish I had kept one now, but hey ho.”
The one sold for £20.2 million was built in September 1963 and enjoyed a successful racing career.
It made its racing debut in the 1963 Tour de France road race, finishing second while being driven by Carlo Maria Abate and Lucien Bianchi.
The sports car – number 5095 – went on to win three competitions in 1964 – the Rallye de Picardie, Rallye du Limousin and Les Andelys hillclimb.
It continued to race and appear at motor shows before it was bought by Lee Kun-hee, the chairman of Korean electronics giant Samsung, in 1996.
Mr Lee owned the Ferrari until 2007 when he sold it to British property developer William Ainscough, with Mr Hunt paying £15.7 million for it the following year.
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