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Ferrari 275 GTB/4 and 250 GT SWB Sold for $15 Million: Charity

Can you believe that the man who donated these rare, classic beauties to the Royal National Lifeboat actually suffered from sea sickness? Perhaps one of the Institution’s first responders saved his life once and he decided to show his gratitude. Even so, a 15 million dollar worth donation, that’s a hell of a recognition.
Ferrari 275 GTB/4 and 250 GT SWB Sold for $15 Million 27 photos
Photo: Ferrari
A Ferrari 250 GT SWB and a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 will go under the hammer1960 Ferrari 250 GT short-wheelbase1960 Ferrari 250 GT short-wheelbase1960 Ferrari 250 GT short-wheelbase1960 Ferrari 250 GT short-wheelbase1960 Ferrari 250 GT short-wheelbase1960 Ferrari 250 GT short-wheelbase1960 Ferrari 250 GT short-wheelbase1960 Ferrari 250 GT short-wheelbase1960 Ferrari 250 GT short-wheelbase1960 Ferrari 250 GT short-wheelbase1960 Ferrari 250 GT short-wheelbase1960 Ferrari 250 GT short-wheelbase1960 Ferrari 250 GT short-wheelbase1960 Ferrari 250 GT short-wheelbase1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/41967 Ferrari 275 GTB/41967 Ferrari 275 GTB/41967 Ferrari 275 GTB/41967 Ferrari 275 GTB/41967 Ferrari 275 GTB/41967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4Ferrari 275 GTB/4 and 250 GT SWB Sold for $15 MillionFerrari 275 GTB/4 and 250 GT SWB Sold for $15 MillionFerrari 275 GTB/4 and 250 GT SWB Sold for $15 MillionFerrari 275 GTB/4 and 250 GT SWB Sold for $15 Million
These gorgeous beauties belonged to businessman and classic car collector Richard Colton, who died earlier this year aged 82. He did, however, leave a 1960 Ferrari 250GT SWB and a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 behind to benefit the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. As we were reporting earlier this year, the rare beauties headed to one of Britain’s oldest classic car auction houses, who took care of the sale.

The auction took place yesterday at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, Cambridgeshire - Europe’s largest historic aviation center. According to Ferrari, the two classic exotics sold for a total of £9,758,320 ($15,062,552 at the current exchange rate) and the proceeds will go directly to helping RNLI’s volunteer crews save lives at sea.

Worry not, your amazement is justified, as the Italian automaker itself said the sums raised make the late Richard Colton’s legacy the most valuable items ever left to the RNLI. As a matter of fact, the auction’s bids exceeded expectations, considering the two Ferraris were initially estimated at $3 million.

That doesn't mean we are not talking about a couple of rarities. Take the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT short-wheelbase Berlinetta Chassis 1995 GT, of which just 167 were made, with a mere ten being supplied new to the UK market. Or the 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4, chassis 10177 GT, which is considered as the ultimate front-engined, Enzo-era Ferrari road car.

We say it’s enough to look at them from up close, not to mention drive them - say that would be possible - to understand how they fetched so much at auction. Nevertheless, it’s not every day that you hear about classic cars of that caliber being donated to charity.
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