Ferraris were never meant for economical family transportation, but for wealthy lovers of speed and status. Believe it or not, in recent years, many pre-owned Ferraris, which originally sold for less than $20,000, are now priced at well over $1 million and are finding buyers.
A Ferrari 275 GTS/4 Spyder convertible just like the one shown here was on the auction block at Pebble Beach, CA, a few years ago, the day of the world-famous Concours d'Elegance car show, along with dozens of other classic and antique automobiles, most of them restored or in excellent original condition.
This 1967 model at auction was described in the December 1967 issue of Road & Track magazine as "The most satisfying sports car in the world!" In fact, the car that was recently auctioned was the very car that Road & Track had tested and reviewed in 1967, and had been purchased wholesale by the original importer (Luigi Chinetti Motors, Inc.) for only $8,024. The retail price then was about double that amount, plus tax, license and extras.
"NART" stood for Chinetti's North American Racing Team, and only 10 of these 275 GTS/4 NART special Spyder convertibles were built. Most 1967 Ferraris were coupes. Of the 10 NART specials, only two had aluminum bodies (including the one auctioned at Pebble Beach).
Steve McQueen starred in the original 1968 version of "The Thomas Crown Affair," and he drove this 1967 Ferrari in the movie. He liked it so well that he ordered one for himself. In the film, the yellow "Giallo Solare" paint job of the Ferrari didn't photograph well, so it was repainted in "Burgundy" maroon for the screen, and was later repainted the original yellow after it was resold in 1985. Like many famous classic cars and works of art, it passed through the hands of some wealthy international collectors through the years.