A rare piece of Ferrari history is preparing to cross the auction block, and expectations are already running at the very top of the collector car market. Ferrari 250 GTO chassis 3729GT, the only example ever finished in factory white, is scheduled to be offered at Mecum’s 2026 Kissimmee auction, where speculation suggests it could approach a $70 million sale price.
Built in 1962, the car is one of just 36 Ferrari 250 GTOs produced and one of only a small number configured in right-hand drive. Finished in Bianco with a blue interior, it stands alone within the GTO lineage, having been delivered new in white at the request of its original owner, British team boss and Jaguar dealer John Coombs. That specification remains unique to this day.
Coombs ordered the car with competition firmly in mind. Period modifications included additional bonnet louvres, an extra front wing vent, and a cabin cooling duct, all intended to improve performance and reliability during long races. Power comes from Ferrari’s Colombo-designed 3.0-liter V12, producing roughly 300 horsepower and paired with a five-speed manual transmission. With race weight well under a ton, the 250 GTO was among the most capable GT cars of its era.
Chassis 3729GT built its reputation on the track, competing at venues such as Brands Hatch and Goodwood. It was driven in period by notable names including Roy Salvadori, Graham Hill, Mike Parkes, Jack Sears, and Richie Ginther. One of its most significant results came with a second-place overall finish at the RAC Tourist Trophy at Goodwood, contributing to Ferrari’s GT manufacturers’ championship. The car was also loaned to Jaguar for comparative testing against early E-Type development cars, work that informed the Lightweight E-Type program.
Ownership history further strengthens the car’s standing. Jack Sears later acquired the GTO and kept it for roughly three decades before it passed into prominent collections. Rather than being heavily restored, the car has been carefully maintained and refinished, retaining much of its original interior. It now carries Ferrari Classiche certification, underscoring its authenticity.
Public auction prices for Ferrari 250 GTOs have already exceeded $50 million, with private transactions reportedly climbing higher. Against that backdrop, a right-hand-drive GTO with unique factory color, documented race success, long-term ownership, and preserved originality places 3729GT in rare territory. As it heads to Kissimmee, it stands as one of the strongest candidates yet to challenge the upper limits of the collector car market.
Shawn Henry