The 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spider bought new by Steve McQueen is set to be sold at auction by Gooding Christie’s at its inaugural New York Rétromobile sale on 20-21 November.
Estimated at $15 million to $20 million (£11.1-£14.8 million), this is the sixth of 10 NART Spiders built and one of only two finished in Blu Sera (Evening Blue).
It is the first time McQueen’s NART Spider has been sold by auction.
The car was supplied new by Luigi Chinetti to McQueen in September 1967 through Hollywood Sports Cars and the actor had the car repainted a darker metallic blue. He also had the seats retrimmed with a distinctive stitch pattern.
The car was repaired in following an accident during McQheen’s ownership and then sold in 1971 to J. David Kopf before joining the current vendor’s collection in 1986.
During this ownership, the car has been restored to its original blue colour and retains its matching numbers engine, transaxle and body.
Chassis 10453 Ferrari historian and author Marcel Massini said of chassis 10453: ‘Forever linked to its previous owner, Hollywood legend Steve McQueen, this brilliant Ferrari 275 NART Spider is the ultimate icon, uniting two global legends in a single machine. Marking a monumental moment in car history, this iconic machine will make its historic first auction debut this November.’
Gooding Christie’s President David Gooding added: ‘Of all the high-profile cars owned by the iconic Steve McQueen, this NART Spider remains the most elusive and mythical, spending most of its time with the famed actor, and even thereafter, away from the public eye.
‘We are honoured to bring this NART Spider to public auction for the very first time. Few cars are as fitting as this Ferrari, with its rarity, beauty, and cultural relevance, to star as the headlining lot for our inaugural New York Auctions at Rétromobile this November.’
Images courtesy of Mathieu Heurtault, Gooding Christie’s
