If you were to examine the vehicles that traded hands and commanded a serious sack of coin, I'd say that the top vehicles would likely feature a smattering of vintage Ferraris. The manufacturer's vintage autos, specifically those with racing pedigree, can fetch outrageous sums of money.
So when you crack up a Ferrari 250 GTO, you don't just write it off. Hell, plenty of valuable Ferraris have been completely reworked and fully rebuilt after they were crashed. Sure it's not optimal, but a lot of the times these anecdotes add to the colorful lives of these vehicles.
Take, for example, Jim Glickenhaus' 0846. If I remember correctly, the car has been rebodied in its original sted after it was wrecked out.
This is why Ferrari Classiche was born. To repair vintage prancing horses to factory spec. Obviously, this is not an easy feat nor is it the least expensive way to go about things. But, if you want it fixed up right, there's no other option.
After being involved in an accident in France, an American collector shipped the car to Maranello for an intensive two-year overhauling to bring the car back to its rightful state. Ferrari Classiche brought the car back to life with its original engine and bodywork configuration as it was delivered back in 1962. In an interesting move, the collector opted to keep the car sporting its Swedish livery after a former owner placed second two times in the world famous Targa Florio in 1963 and 1964.
To see the 250 GTO being given a work out around Fiorano, scope out the video of it below. In addition, for more rich history of this particular 250 GTO, check out the attached press release. It doesn't get much cooler than this.
Ferrari's press release follows:
Lady in Blue
A stunning 250 GTO is restored by the Classiche department
Maranello, 28 November 2014 – One of the stars of the tracks of the 1960s was a Ferrari 250 GTO which has just emerged from a two-year-plus renovation at the Ferrari Classiche department, ready to return to its owner in America. During its stay in Maranello, the car was restored to the original engine and bodywork configuration in which it was delivered to Bologna-based publisher Luciano Conti in 1962. The latter also drove it in its maiden race, the Bologna-Passo della Raticosa.
The Volpi era. In June 1962, however, Chassis no. 3445 was sold to Count Giovanni Volpi di Misurata, a passionate racing driver, who competed under the S.S.S. Repubblica di Venezia insignia. During this particular stage of its career, the car also won the Trophée d'Auvergne with Carlo Maria Abate at its wheel.
A change of livery. In April 1963, the 250 GTO was purchased by Swede Ulf Norinder who, to comply with the racing regulations of the day, changed its livery from the original red to blue and yellow colours of Sweden. Mr Norinder then drove it to victory in the Vastkustloppet in his home nation. The car also finished second twice in the Targa Florio (with Bordeu and Scarlatti in 1963, and 1964 with Norinder and Pico Troiberg, the latter time as no. 112 which it still bears today). It subsequently changed hands several times before being sent to the Classiche department in 2012 to be restored to its original splendour. That process now complete, the 250 GTO once again sports the Swedish colours and is back with its owner.