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The Car Collector Who A Ferrari Worth $38 Million; Car of the Century Part 2

The Car Collector Who A Ferrari Worth $38 Million; Car of the Century Part 2

Bloomberg Hot Pursuit! Feb 21, 2026 43 min
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About this episode

A fascinating dive into the world of high-stakes car collecting, featuring a detailed account of a collector's recent acquisition of a Ferrari 250 GTO for $38 million. The discussion highlights the rarity and historical significance of the GTO, including its racing pedigree and unique engineering. The collector shares insights on the buying process, the importance of condition in valuation, and the driving experience of this legendary vehicle. The episode also touches on the nuances of classic car ownership and the emotional connection to these automotive masterpieces.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Ferrari 250 GTO

"...because 250 GTO to me was just way beyond like any attainable situation. I mean, people might say the cars that I have now, the supercars are unattainable or dream cars, but I did dream about those cars..."

The Ferrari 250 GTO is a famous sports car from the 1960s that is very rare and expensive. Many car enthusiasts dream of owning one because of its beauty and history in racing.

Term

supercar

"...I mean, people might say the cars that I have now, the supercars are unattainable or dream cars, but I did dream about those cars..."

Supercars are very fast and expensive cars that are designed for high performance. They often have unique designs and are made in smaller quantities than regular cars.

Car

Ferrari 288 GTO

"...My 288 GTO was my high school dream car when I saw it in the Road and Track magazine. I wanted to have it, I didn't think I could really be able to have it..."

The Ferrari 288 GTO is a sports car from the 1980s that is famous for its powerful engine and unique look. It's considered a classic and is very desirable among car collectors.

Term

short wheelbase

"...I did, and I've been looking for a long time for a 250 short wheelbase and because I thought..."

Short wheelbase means the space between the front and back wheels is smaller than usual. This can make the car handle better and feel more agile when driving.

Concept

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

"...look at the video in Pebble Beach last year, in August in Monterey, I was walking through the Ferrari lawn..."

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is a big car show in California where people display and admire beautiful classic cars. It's a popular event for car lovers.

Term

auction

"as I was getting close to the auction, my people, Kevin Cohen said, hey, you know, the GTO is going to be in Las Vegas..."

An auction is a place where people can buy and sell items by offering the highest price. For cars, it's a way to find rare and valuable vehicles.

Term

mechanic

"I'll send my mechanic Mike out there to check out the car, see if it's how legit it is..."

A mechanic is someone who fixes cars. They help make sure cars work properly and can fix problems when they happen.

Term

pre-purchase inspection

"...the smart way is always to send your guy, if you have a guy, to check it out, you know, to see how it's restored, if it's restored, see if all the parts are the kind of the original parts or the right parts on the car..."

A pre-purchase inspection is when a mechanic checks a car before you buy it to make sure it's in good shape. This way, you know if there are any problems with the car before you spend your money.

Term

original parts

"...see if all the parts are the kind of the original parts or the right parts on the car, see if the car starts up..."

Original parts are the same pieces that were put in the car when it was built. People like to keep these parts because they help the car stay true to how it was made originally.

Term

condition of the car

"...And that's really important because the condition of the car dictates the price. It dictates the model..."

The condition of the car means how good or bad the car is overall. It includes how well it runs, how it looks outside, and how it feels inside. This is important to know before buying a car.

Ferrari 250 Short Wheelbase
Car

Ferrari 250 Short Wheelbase

"...was doing very successful in all the tracks. The 250 GTO-wise so special is Ferrari at that time was the first time that they engaged the Pisa University to study..."

The Ferrari 250 Short Wheelbase is another version of the Ferrari 250 that was made for racing. It has a shorter body, which helps it handle better on the track.

Term

aerodynamics

"the car, how to make it more aerodynamic, using aerodynamic to it besides the big engine and the light weights and everything."

Aerodynamics is how air flows around a car. When a car is designed to be more aerodynamic, it can go faster and use less fuel because it cuts through the air more easily.

Term

wind tunnel

"But wind tunnels and everything to make the car more special, more aerodynamic, faster, better performance, which is very special."

A wind tunnel is a big machine that blows air around a model of a car. It helps designers see how the air moves, so they can make the car faster and more efficient.

Term

race engine

"although this one, John Shirley brought Ferrari make a new engine, a perfectly specced out engine, Casa K, which is important, the red book in there. So it came with the race engine, that it raced in many of the races that they had in history, in period."

A race engine is a special kind of engine made for racing cars. It's built to be really powerful and fast, so the car can compete in races.

Term

original engine

"...a lot of cars don't have the original engine. A lot of cars have been crashed and rebuilt or repainted..."

An 'original engine' is the engine that came with the car when it was new. It's important for collectors because it helps prove the car's history and value.

Term

race cars

"...But when you come to race cars, a totally different mentality, totally different way of looking at it..."

Race cars are cars made to go really fast in competitions. They are built differently than regular cars to help them perform better on racetracks.

Term

alloy body

"...it's an alloy car, you know, alloy body car, it's 2000 pounds, 300 horsepower, you know, and there's a lot of other parts that they have..."

An alloy body means the car is made from a special mix of metals that makes it lighter and stronger than regular metal. This helps the car go faster and handle better.

Term

Triple Crown winner

"...like Graham Hill, it was one of them, the Triple Crown winner. So it's been raised by important racers..."

A Triple Crown winner is a race car driver who has won three very important races. It's a big deal in the racing world and shows they are very talented.

Ferrari 250
Car

Ferrari 250

"...because, you know, I have a 250, a Lucille competition, 275 GTP 4 cam, 330 GTS, 365 GTP 4, the Jonas fighter, and a Resto Dino."

The Ferrari 250 is a famous sports car made by Ferrari, known for being fast and beautiful. It's a classic car that many people admire and collect.

Car

Ferrari 365 GTP

"...I have a 250, a Lucille competition, 275 GTP 4 cam, 330 GTS, 365 GTP 4, the Jonas fighter, and a Resto Dino."

The Ferrari 365 GTP is a racing car from Ferrari, built for speed on the track. It's part of a series that was very successful in races.

Car

Ferrari 330 GTS

"...I have a 250, a Lucille competition, 275 GTP 4 cam, 330 GTS, 365 GTP 4, the Jonas fighter, and a Resto Dino."

The Ferrari 330 GTS is a stylish sports car made by Ferrari, famous for its power and good looks. It's a car that many people dream of owning.

Car

Ferrari 275 GTP

"...I have a 250, a Lucille competition, 275 GTP 4 cam, 330 GTS, 365 GTP 4, the Jonas fighter, and a Resto Dino."

The Ferrari 275 GTP is another model from Ferrari, built for speed and racing. It's part of a series of cars that are very popular among car enthusiasts.

Term

horsepower

"...because this is our body again, it's 2000 pounds, which is very light. It's 300 horsepower. Now, you know, the other thing..."

Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful an engine is. The higher the horsepower, the faster and stronger the car can be.

Term

disc brakes

"...it's got disc brakes, you know, the balance and the suspension, everything is, you know, it's like a race car..."

Disc brakes are a kind of brake that helps slow down a car. They work better than older types of brakes, especially when the car is going fast or when it's hot.

Term

gated gearbox

"...the gearbox, the gated gearbox is tremendous. The power on the car and the and the sound is tremendous..."

A gated gearbox is a special kind of manual transmission that helps drivers shift gears more easily. It has a specific pattern that you follow when changing gears, making it feel more precise and fun to drive.

Concept

Holy Grail of car collecting

"...the 250 GTO is to all car collecting the Holy Grail and the end game of collecting..."

The 'Holy Grail of car collecting' means the most desired and valuable car that collectors want to own. It's like the best of the best in the car world.

Car

Ferrari SP1

"... you know, it's part of the Icona series. There's SP1, SP2, and then the SP3. And it's a V12 naturally..."

The Ferrari SP1 is a special, very limited sports car made by Ferrari that doesn't have a roof, allowing for an open-air driving experience. It has a really powerful engine and is designed to look like classic Ferraris while using the latest technology. People discuss it because it's rare and represents the best of what Ferrari can do.

Car

Ferrari SP2

"...know, it's part of the Icona series. There's SP1, SP2, and then the SP3. And it's a V12 naturally aspi..."

The Ferrari SP2 is like the SP1 but has a second seat, so you can take a friend along for the ride. It has a powerful engine and a design that mixes old-school Ferrari looks with new technology. It's talked about because it's rare and gives an exciting driving experience.

Car

BMW M3

"... Ferrari and so forth. The other one would be the F80, which is the newest, the sixth supercar that Fe..."

The BMW M3 is a fast and sporty version of a regular BMW car called the 3 Series. It's famous for being fun to drive while still being comfortable enough for daily use. People talk about it because it's a great mix of luxury and speed.

Term

F1

"...borrowing from F1 to place in this road car is also really revolutionary..."

F1 stands for Formula 1, which is a top-level car racing series. The advanced technology used in these race cars often inspires features in regular cars.

Car

Ferrari F40

"I heard it was, the rumors are saying it's kind of a redo of the F40 with gated shifter."

The Ferrari F40 is a famous sports car made by Ferrari. It was built in the late 1980s and is known for being very fast and having a unique look.

Concept

hybrid cars

"...It's people that want electric cars, people that will hybrid..."

Hybrid cars are vehicles that use both a regular engine and an electric motor. This helps them save fuel and produce less pollution, which is better for the environment.

Car

Ferrari 430

"...The 430, the 360 challenge cars, a lot of those cars have gone up because they're still not the hybrid..."

The Ferrari 430 is another sports car from Ferrari, produced before the 458. It's known for its speed and stylish design, appealing to car lovers.

Car

Ferrari 360 Challenge

"...the 430, the 360 challenge cars, a lot of those cars have gone up because they're still not the hybrid..."

The Ferrari 360 Challenge is a racing version of the Ferrari 360. It's built for better performance on the racetrack compared to the regular model.

Term

manual transmission

"...their daily driver should be for the three pedals. The thing is, as you know, a lot of young people, they don't even know how to drive stick shift right now, manual transmission."

A manual transmission is a system in cars where you have to change gears yourself using a stick and a pedal. It gives you more control over how the car drives, unlike automatic cars that do it for you.

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