A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO has become the most expensive car sold at auction->ke2845 after changing owners for a whopping $38,115,000 at Bonhams' Quail Lodge Auction in Carmel, California. The classic Prancing Horse surpassed the auction record set by a 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Formula One->ke662 race car that sold for $30 million at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed->ke3879 Auction.

Only 39 of these Ferraris->ke252 were built in the 1960s, with many of them fetching millions of dollars during either public auctions or private sales. One example that was owned by Stirling Moss changed hands for $35 million in 2012, while another 250 GTO sold for $52 million in 2013. Both were sold privately.

Powered by a 3.0-liter, V-12 engine, the 250 GTO shown above -- chassis and engine number 3851GT -- was driven to a second-place overall finish in the 1962 Tour de France by Jo Schlesser and Henry Oreiller. More a maintained car than a restored one, the 3851GT has been active all its 54-year-long life, being raced in many classic motorsport events. It's one of the most often raced 250 GTOs and it has been in a single family ownership for the past 49 years. This pretty much explains the huge price tag, doesn't it?

The $38-million 250 GTO wasn't the only Ferrari to fetch big bucks at Bonhams' sale in California. Ten other Italian sports and race cars crossed the block for a combined total of $65.9 million. The bundle included a 1962 250 GT SWB Speciale that sold for $6.8 million, a 1953 250 Mille Miglia Berlinetta driven by Phil Hill for $7.2 million, and a 1978 312 T3 Formula One car for $2.3 million.

Click past the jump to read about the Ferrari 250 GTO

Why It Matters

It is widely known that classic Ferraris are more precious than gold nowdays, but it seems the 250, no matter the iteration, keeps gaining value with each year. The $38 million bid shouldn't surprise you, initial estimates claimed this 250 GTO would sell for around $50 million. Although it's still $12 million short, we have a hunch a 250 GTO will fetch at least $50 million within the next couple of years. You might as well stop taking your hard-earned money to the bank and start investing in classic Ferraris. It certainly pays off.

Ferrari 250 GTO

Officially known as the Ferrari 250 GT Omologato, the 250 GTO was developed to race the 3-liter class of the FIA GT Championship series. Built in 39 examples, most of them fitted with 3.0-liter, V-12 engines, the GTO won the world title for three consecutive years between 1962 and 1964.

Raced between 1962 and 1968, the Ferrari 250 GTO scored 57 overall wins and 77 additional class wins. Besides being a successful race car->ke148, the 250 GTO is also regarded as one of the most beautiful Ferraris ever created. It is also the most recognizable classic Ferrari to come out of Maranello, which explains the insane publicity each example benefits while being listed for auction.