This unique 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO will make history.
Few Ferraris are as legendary as the 250 GTO, and none are even remotely memorable as the 3729GT chassis, lovingly celebrated as the Bianco Speciale. Built between 1962 and 1964, it is one of only 36 examples ever made, but it is the only example finished in a factory-optional Bianco Speciale paint finish. This single shade alone glorifies it as an outstanding model in Ferrari history. Rather than undergoing a complete restoration, the car has been carefully maintained, repaired and refurbished over the decades, retaining as much of the original material as possible. Collectors consider it to be the most desirable Ferrari of all time, and this GTO’s status cements its place at the very top of its league.
The racing resume of the 3729GT chassis reads like a who’s who of 1960s motorsport. On its debut at Brands Hatch during the Peco Trophy on August 6, 1962, Roy Salvadori drove it to second place. Two weeks later, Graham Hill stepped in at the RAC Tourist Trophy at Goodwood and also finished second, helping Ferrari secure the GT manufacturers’ title for 1962. In 1963, Mike MacDowel took the wheel twice, including in the Whitsun Trophy and the British Grand Prix GT race, and Jack Sears took the car’s first GT class win in August. Driven by racing heroes like Salvadori, Hill, MacDowel, Salmon and Sears, Bianco Speciale made a name for himself without winning a single class win, which was his only mistake.
Despite its aggressive debut in racing, the GTO also has a softer side and retains all the raw characteristics that define its original Italian spirit. John Coombs, the owner who commissioned it in 1962, sent the car to Scaglietti and requested the unthinkable: a pearl white paint job. Back then, Ferrari insisted on reds, but Coombs pulled the strings and created a real exception through Alfredo Reali. This rare influence transformed the Bianco Speciale into an automotive anomaly, whose paintwork forever separated it from its ruby siblings.
Even his influence went beyond Ferrari. Coombs eventually loaned Bianco Speciale to Jaguar engineers for reverse development, helping to inspire the Lightweight E-Type. In subsequent racing seasons, Coombs drove both cars in major events, almost like a public head-to-head test. While the E-Types took victories locally, the GTO’s raw power and sharp handling proved harder to beat on the biggest stages. Even after the change of ownership, the car remained in race-ready condition, received the Ferrari Classiche Red Book in 2008 and featured many original Coombs-era parts.
Now ready for its next chapter at Mecum Kissimmee 2026, this Ferrari 250 GTO is living history. The car is even fitted with a replacement GTO engine for use in vintage racing and retains its original, minimal build quality where possible. When someone takes ownership of the Bianco Speciale, they are joining the most elite car club in the world. This is a unique masterpiece that never needed restoration as it was already perfect.
Source: Mecum Auctions
