Ferrari 458 GTE (2013)

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The 458 is one of Ferraris most successful models and in racing it is no different, the factory sanctioned and Michelotto built 458s were the car to have. The ultimate iteration of the 458 is the 458 GTE, just 52 cars were built by Michelotto in Padova; 11 for AF Corse as “Works” cars and 39 for customer teams. The 458 GTEs record is astonishing; they entered 617 races between 2011 and 2017, winning 104 of them. The last race entered by a 458 GTE was the 2017 Monza round of the European Le Mans Series, which it won, even against much later machinery. The 458 GTE has won the following; Le Mans 24 Hours (Pro) twice, Le Mans 24 Hours (Am) twice the World Endurance Challenge (three times) the European Le Mans Series (X4), the Asian Le Mans Series, the Sebring 12 Hours, the ILMC GTE Title, International GT Open Teams Championship and so on…

Chassis 2868 was delivered new to the legendary Japanese “Team Taisan” in 2013 to be driven in all four rounds of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest’s Asian Le Mans Series - in the LM GTE category of the by a line up including ex-Formula-One driver Kamui Kobayashi. The car won all four races, hence claiming the 2013 Title and earning an entry into the 2014 Le Mans 24 Hours. They also became the first team in history to win all four rounds in one season.

For Le Mans in 2014, due to commitments in Japan team owner Ricky Chiba decided to run the car with the support of the German team Farnbacher. At the test day ex-Formula One driver Shinji Nakano was joined by Martin Rich and for the main event itself Le Mans Veteran and Ferrari enthusiast Pierre Ehret also joined the driver line up. Despite problems in qualifying the trio battled hard in the race and managed to finish an impressive 8th In Class and 28th overall.

Following Le Mans the car was duly returned to Michelotto to be refreshed for its next race. The December 2014 invoice on file, totalling €47,352 euro (tax-free), denotes engine and gearbox rebuilds in addition to various remedial works. It then returned to Japan but was not raced again and aside from display at a Ferrari Club of Japan event remained in storage. The car had clearly left a good impression on its 2014 Le Mans driver line-up as in 2017 one of them re-purchased the car for his own personal collection. Another visit to Michelotto in 2019 ensures the car wants for nothing.

This exceptional example of Ferrari’s final naturally aspirated GT race car is presented in immaculate condition and is an important part of Ferraris long and rich history of GT racing, especially at Le Mans – it is one of very few cars to have never suffered a DNF. Interest in this era of GT race car has been gathering momentum over the last few years and as a result values are beginning to rise strongly, especially as the cars are eligible to be used in some fantastic events including racing again with the Masters Endurance Legends, which features races across the globe, as a potential invitation to the “Endurance Racing Legends” Series which has a race at Le Mans or perhaps most interestingly Ferrari’s own Club Competizioni GT, which has an exciting calendar for 2023.

Race History of 2868

2013

Asian Le Mans Series, Round 1, Inje 3 Hours, South Korea.

Drivers: Kamui Kobayashi, Naoki Yokomizo

Result: 1st in class, 4th OA.

Asian Le Mans Series, Round 2, Fuji Speedway, Japan.

Drivers: Akira Lida, Shinji Nakano, Shougo Mitsuyama,

Result: 1st in class, 12th OA.

Asian Le Mans Series, Round 3, Zhuhai 3 hours, China

Drivers: Akira Lida, Naoki Yokomizo, Shougo Mitsuyama

Result: 1st in class, 4th OA

Asian Le Mans Series, Round 4, Sepang 3 hours, Malaysia

Drivers: Akira Lida, Naoki Yokomizo, Shougo Mitsuyama