On the rare days a Ferrari 250 GTO goes up for auction, the automotive world collectively pauses — mostly to see how many zeroes will follow the final hammer drop. The record stands at ₹583 crore, set in 2018, before a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe rewrote the history books at ₹1,190 crore in 2022.
Built between 1962 and 1964 in a run of just 36 cars, every 250 GTO is accounted for today, making it as close to immortal as a machine can be. And yet, in the last half-decade, just one example has surfaced for public sale.
That will change in January 2026, when Mecum Auctions in Kissimmee, Florida, will present a particularly extraordinary specimen: the only 250 GTO ever to leave Maranello in white. Officially called Bianco Speciale, this 1962 car (chassis no. 3729GT) wears a pearly finish that caused quite a stir at the factory back in the day.
Breaking Ferrari’s Colour Rules
The order came from British racing team owner John Coombs, who wanted his GTO in pure white — a shade nowhere in Ferrari’s racing palette. Convincing Enzo’s team to agree reportedly required the discreet assistance of Alfredo Reali, the man who handled unusual client requests.
Once delivered, the car was sent to Scaglietti for coachwork penned by Giotto Bizzarrini. Period racing touches remain intact: hood louvres, cockpit air hose, and the long, sculpted nose. Beneath that bonnet lies the 3.0-litre naturally aspirated V12, producing 296 BHP and 294 Nm. Ferrari claimed it could reach 280 km/h, which in 1962 made it one of the fastest things on four wheels. A five-speed manual channels the power to the rear axle, all wrapped up in a body weighing just under a tonne.
Provenance and Pedigree
This Bianco Speciale wasn’t a static showpiece. It raced successfully during the period, driven by names such as Graham Hill, Roy Salvadori, and Mike Parkes. Over the decades, it passed through several owners before being acquired by former Microsoft president Jon Shirley in 1999. Under his stewardship, it underwent a careful cosmetic refresh, rather than a complete restoration, thereby preserving its originality.
It earned Ferrari Classiche certification in 2008 and currently features a Ferrari Classiche-built engine, along with an additional unit constructed to the original 250 GTO specifications for vintage racing. Whether the next owner will actually race it or lock it away is anyone’s guess, though history suggests the latter is more likely.
With its rarity, racing history, and the fact that it’s the lone white GTO ever built, expect bidding in 2026 to stretch well into the hundreds of crores. For collectors, this is the automotive equivalent of spotting a white whale — and having the chance to buy it.
