Aug 19, 2013 10:20 AM EDT
Rare Ferrari Sold at Auction for Record $27.5 Million (VIDEO)

A 1967 Ferrari once owned by the former mayor was sold at auction this weekend for a record $27.5 million.

Eddie Smith, the vehicle's owner, was the mayor of Lexington, N.C. and died in 2007 at the age of 88. Since his death, the Ferrari has been stored in a custom-built garage.

"This is a bittersweet moment for us," Eddie Smith Jr. said before bidding began according to the Associated Press. "Ferraris came and went, but this one never went, thank God. We enjoyed it as a family for 45 years."

The red 275 GTB/ 4*s NART Spider was one of only 10 built according to the Los Angeles Times.

The identity of the winning bidder has yet to be revealed as of press time. The vehicle was expected to sell for approximately $14 to $17 million.

"Dad wouldn't want the car to be shut away, he would want it to be enjoyed," said Smith Jr. at the event. "Even when the value reached went over a million dollars, he would still drive it."

The Smith family decided before the auction to donate all proceeds to charity.

Smith Sr. was Mayor from 1970 to 1975, and became wealthy from a mail order company he started. He owned a number of different Ferraris over the course of his life, but the Spider was his favorite.

 "Drive it, love it, enjoy it, and more importantly share it with others so they can see it," said Smith Jr.

Related Articles:

Ram 1500 Rumble Bee 395-HP Concept Revealed in Michigan (PHOTOS/ VIDEO)

Voyager Becomes First Man-Made Object to Leave The Solar System

Cruze Recall: GM Calls Back 293,000 Vehicles Over Brake Issue

40 Pythons Seized From Motel Room in Canada Were Stored in Plastic Bins

Audi Launches S3, First Car With 4G Capability (VIDEO)

See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?

 PREVIOUS POST
NEXT POST 

EDITOR'S PICK    

Hyundai to Invest $16.1 Billion for EV Business; Sets Annual Sales Goal of 1.87M Electric Cars by 2030

World's Most Expensive and Most Heavily-optioned Porsche 928 GTS is Coming Home to the U.S.

Major Boost as Tesla Giga Berlin Facility in Final Phase of Approval Process; Delivery Event Set This Month

Audi Looking for e-tron Electric Vehicles to Spur Car Brand's Growth in India in 2022

Toyota Offers Free EV Charging to Owners of 2023 bZ4X After Partnership Agreement with EVgo

2022 Suzuki Baleno Finally Unveiled in India: What are the Specs and Features of this City Car?