Skip advert
Advertisement

Watch - evo drives Ferrari 250 SWB at RM Sotheby's

What's it like to drive a €10 million Ferrari from 1960? Jethro Bovingdon finds out, thanks to RM Sotheby's

evo, as Jethro Bovingdon explains to Max Girado from RM Sotheby’s, is more about the driving experience than it is polished cars and upscale locations.

But even seen with a cynical eye, it’s hard not to appreciate the beauty of a lineup of Ferraris stretching from the 1950s through to the modern day.

Advertisement - Article continues below

So, in the run-up to hosting a livestream from the auctioneers’ event at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on May 23, we decided to take a closer look at the appeal behind such vehicles.

As it transpires, many of the priceless cars do indeed get driven, whether on-track at events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Revival or daily driven.

In the case of the Ferrari 250 SWB Berlinetta that Jethro has the pleasure of driving in our video, its first owner was a Florentine doctor who used the car every day.

That means the stunning yellow example doesn’t have the racing pedigree of some, but it has since taken part in events at the Goodwood Revival and is eligible for other historic events, too.

With a live rear axle, ladder chassis and four-speed gearbox it seems rudimentary on paper. But its 3-litre V12, developing somewhere between 260-280bhp, is as beautiful to listen to as the Pininfarina coachwork is to view, and its disc brakes were relatively sophisticated for the age.

Is it worth €10 million? That’s more difficult to answer, but the ownership experience would surely be priceless.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Ferrari’s first ever electric car is coming this October
Ferrari EV spies
News

Ferrari’s first ever electric car is coming this October

In-line with its electrification plan, Ferrari’s on track to launch its first all-electric model in Q4 2025
18 Feb 2025
Kalmar 7-97 RS-R Evo 2025 review – part Porsche 911, part Ariel Nomad
Kalmar 7-97 RS-R Evo – front
Reviews

Kalmar 7-97 RS-R Evo 2025 review – part Porsche 911, part Ariel Nomad

Kalmar Automotive’s 7-97 RS-R Evo makes the Porsche 911 Dakar look a bit half-hearted. Is it as fun to drive as it looks?
2 Feb 2025
HWA Evo is a £730k resto-mod Mercedes 190E Evo II tribute
HWA Evo Mercedes 190E restomod front
News

HWA Evo is a £730k resto-mod Mercedes 190E Evo II tribute

The makers of the Mercedes CLK GTR and the Pagani Huayra R’s screaming V12 have developed their modern take on the iconic Mercedes 190E Evo II
2 Jan 2025
Ford Escort RS Mk1 returns as 10,000rpm £295k continuation
Boreham Ford Escort Mk1 front
News

Ford Escort RS Mk1 returns as 10,000rpm £295k continuation

Still want that Alfaholics GTA-R? This dream Mk1 Ford Escort RS can be had with a 295bhp 10,000rpm four-cylinder screamer
12 Dec 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Performance Link Mazda MX-5 R300 review – an MX-5 with Honda VTEC power
Performance Link Mazda MX-5 R300 – front
Reviews

Performance Link Mazda MX-5 R300 review – an MX-5 with Honda VTEC power

A screaming 296bhp Honda VTEC engine and a full chassis upgrade package turn the NC-generation Mazda MX-5 into something altogether more thrilling
25 Mar 2025
Why car enthusiasts are suddenly lusting after once-ridiculed old Volvos
Volvo 760 Turbo
Opinion

Why car enthusiasts are suddenly lusting after once-ridiculed old Volvos

A sighting of a 1980s Volvo induces a bout of wistfulness for Porter
21 Mar 2025
The new Porsche 911 Turbo (992.2) is going electrified, and we've spotted it testing
Porsche 911 Turbo spies
Spy shots

The new Porsche 911 Turbo (992.2) is going electrified, and we've spotted it testing

The 911 Turbo will receive a mid-life refresh later this year, gaining hybrid power for the first time ever. Here's an early look
25 Mar 2025