The best Ferrari of all time is the 250 GTO, the 1962 to 1964 racing GT whose 1963 example sold privately for a reported $70 million in June 2018. This is our opinion list of the 10 best Ferrari models, scored on racing record, design, rarity and what the car meant to the brand. We re-ranked our original list and added the new F80 hypercar.
| Rank | Model | Years | Why it ranks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 250 GTO | 1962 to 1964 | Race winner, world’s most valuable Ferrari |
| 2 | F40 | 1987 to 1992 | Last Ferrari approved by Enzo |
| 3 | 250 Testa Rossa | 1957 to 1961 | Three Le Mans wins |
| 4 | Enzo | 2002 | F1 technology, 399 units announced |
| 5 | 275 GTB | 1964 to 1968 | Classic front-engined V12 GT |
| 6 | 288 GTO | 1984 to 1987 | 272 built, never raced |
| 7 | 250 GT California | 1950s to 1960s | Open-top 250 for America |
| 8 | F12 Berlinetta | 2012 | 730 hp, 3.1s to 100 km/h |
| 9 | 458 Italia | 2009 | Mid-engine V8 benchmark |
| 10 | F80 | 2024 reveal | 799 units, hybrid V6 flagship |
How we ranked: we weighed racing results, design, rarity, collector value and influence on later cars. It is our opinion, not a poll, and prices are as reported at the time of each sale.
1. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
The 250 GTO was built from 1962 to 1964 to homologate into the FIA’s Group 3 GT class. Under chief engineer Giotto Bizzarrini it was designed to beat rivals such as the Shelby Cobra, Jaguar E-Type and Aston Martin DP214. GTO stands for Gran Turismo Omologato, and 250 is the displacement of each cylinder in cubic centimetres.
New, it cost $18,000 in the US, and buyers were personally approved by Enzo Ferrari and his North American dealer, Luigi Chinetti. Prices fell to $2.7 million in 1994, then climbed. In June 2018, a 1963 car (chassis 4153GT) sold privately for a reported $70 million, the record for the world’s most expensive Ferrari.
2. 1987 Ferrari F40
The F40 was built from 1987 to 1992 to celebrate Ferrari’s 40th anniversary and was the last Ferrari personally approved by Enzo Ferrari. It followed the 288 GTO and used carbon fibre, Kevlar and aluminium panels to keep weight low. The planned run was 400 cars at about $400,000 each, five times the price of the 288 GTO.
It has aged into the defining analogue supercar.
3. 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
The 250 TR (Testa Rossa, red head) was a sports racing car built from 1957 to 1961. Variants won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1958, 1960 and 1961, plus Sebring and Targa Florio rounds. A 1957 car reportedly sold in August 2011 for $16.4 million, a record at the time.
4. 2002 Ferrari Enzo
Named for the founder, the Enzo was announced at the 2002 Paris Motor Show with a production run of 399 cars, offered first to customers who had bought the F40 and F50. It used Formula One technology: carbon-fibre body, carbon ceramic brakes and an F1-style gearbox. Its naturally aspirated V12 gave about 651 hp, 0 to 60 mph in 3.14 seconds and a top speed of up to 355 km/h.
Ken Okuyama, then Pininfarina’s head of design, styled it.
5. 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB
Built from 1964 to 1968, the 275 GTB was a two-seat front-engined GT powered by a 3.3 litre Colombo V12 making 280 to 300 hp. It was more of a pure sports car than its name suggested, with three or six Weber carburettors available. Collectors still love it.
6. 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO
The 288 GTO was built from 1984 to 1987 as a homologation special for Group B. The class was cancelled after the 1986 Tour de Corse tragedy, so all 272 cars built stayed road cars and never raced. Enzo Ferrari gifted the last one to Niki Lauda.
7. 1957 Ferrari 250 GT California
The California was Scaglietti’s open-top interpretation of the 250 GT, built in long and short wheelbase series for export to North America. Its 3 litre V12 made about 260 hp, with a top speed of 145 mph. It is the open-air Ferrari of the golden era.
8. 2012 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
Introduced at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show to replace the 599, the F12 has a naturally aspirated 6.3 litre V12 with 730 hp and an official 0 to 100 km/h time of 3.1 seconds. It won the 2013 International Engine of the Year award in the best performance category.
9. 2009 Ferrari 458 Italia
The 458 Italia replaced the F430 and was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. A mid-engined V8 sports car with Pininfarina design, it balances beauty with aerodynamic efficiency, and many enthusiasts treat it as the last great naturally aspirated V8 Ferrari.
10. Ferrari F80
The F80 is Ferrari’s newest flagship, revealed on 17 October 2024 with production from 2025 to 2027. A 3.0 litre twin-turbo V6 derived from the 499P Le Mans Hypercar makes 900 PS, and three electric motors add 300 PS. Only 799 will be built, all reserved by customers at about $3.9 million (3.6 million euros) each.
It ranks tenth because it is too new to judge, but its racing pedigree is hard to ignore.
What other recent Ferraris deserve a look?
- 296 GTB (2021 reveal): the first production Ferrari with six cylinders since the Dino, a plug-in hybrid making 819 hp combined.
- SF90 Stradale: a hybrid with a V8 and three electric motors, around 1,000 PS.
- 12Cilindri: a front-engined 6.5 litre V12 grand tourer making 819 hp.
- Purosangue: Ferrari’s first four-door SUV, introduced on 13 September 2022.
The 599 GTB Fiorano (2006 to 2012), which was on our original list, still deserves a nod as the most powerful series Ferrari road car of its time with 612 hp. Which one is your favourite? Tell us in the comments.
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FAQ
What is the best Ferrari of all time?
In our opinion, the 250 GTO, thanks to its racing record, rarity and a reported $70 million private sale in June 2018.
What is the most expensive Ferrari ever sold?
A 1963 250 GTO (chassis 4153GT) sold privately for a reported $70 million in June 2018.
How many Ferrari F80s will be built?
Only 799, all reserved by customers at about $3.9 million each. Production runs from 2025 to 2027.
Was the 288 GTO ever raced?
No. Group B was cancelled after the 1986 Tour de Corse, so all 272 cars stayed road cars.
What was the last Ferrari Enzo Ferrari approved?
The F40, built from 1987 to 1992 for the company’s 40th anniversary.
What changed from the old list?
We added the F80, moved the 250 TR and Enzo up, and removed the 599 GTB to a mention.
Last updated: October 2026.
