Ferrari has entered the electric era with a record-breaking sale. A one-of-a-kind version of the Ferrari Luce, the Italian automaker’s first fully electric vehicle, sold for an astonishing $40 million during an auction at Monterey Car Week in California. Known as “Chassis 0,” the vehicle is the first production chassis from Ferrari’s new electric program and has now set a world record for a new car sold at auction.
A $40 Million Start to Ferrari’s Electric Era
The 2026 Ferrari Luce “Tailor Made” was sold through RM Sotheby’s during Monterey Car Week. The vehicle represents a major milestone for Ferrari as the legendary sports car company moves into the fully electric market for the first time.
The $40 million sale price was far beyond the normal price of the Luce. Ferrari launched the five-seat, four-door electric vehicle with a starting price of €550,000, or about $638,400.
The auction also broke Ferrari’s previous record for a new car sold at auction. A one-off Ferrari Daytona SP3 sold for $26 million in 2025. That vehicle was purchased by the same collector who bought the Luce.
Billionaire Collector Takes Home Chassis 0
The winning bidder was U.S. billionaire investor and longtime Ferrari collector Herbert A. Wertheim. Wertheim is an optometrist and the founder of optical lens technology manufacturer Brain Power Inc.
His latest purchase gives him a unique place in Ferrari history because “Chassis 0” is the first production chassis in the Luce program.
The buyer will have to wait before getting behind the wheel. Following the auction, the vehicle is expected to return to Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello, Italy. Final delivery is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.
A Ferrari Designed to Stand Apart
The record-breaking Luce is not a standard production model. It was created through Ferrari’s Tailor Made personalization program and includes several features developed specifically for the car.
Its exterior uses Madreperla Semi-Gloss paint, which creates iridescent reflections that can shift from green to violet depending on the light and viewing angle.
Inside, Ferrari used Perla-colored Le Mans metallic leather made from specially selected Swiss hides. Grigio Corvara elements replace the traditional black trim found in many vehicles.
The car also includes dedicated wheels, custom brake calipers and special Ferrari badges displayed against an optical white background. A special plaque identifies the vehicle as “Chassis 0.”
Ferrari’s Electric Gamble Faces Its Critics
The Luce represents one of the biggest changes in Ferrari’s modern history. The company unveiled the model in May, introducing a fully electric Ferrari to customers accustomed to the sound and performance of the company’s famous combustion engines.
The change did not receive universal praise.
The Luce’s unconventional styling and move away from Ferrari’s traditional combustion-engine heritage sparked debate among enthusiasts, analysts and social media users. The reaction also raised questions about whether Ferrari’s wealthy customers would embrace an electric model.
Ferrari, however, has indicated that customer interest remains strong. The company said in July that it was “very pleased” with orders for the Luce, although it did not provide specific sales figures.
The $40 million auction result now provides another sign that Ferrari’s first electric model can generate serious interest among collectors.
Record Sale Will Support Education
The historic auction was about more than selling an expensive car. All proceeds from the sale will support educational initiatives through the Ferrari Foundation, a public charity. The buyer’s premium was also waived.
Ferrari said the money will help fund education projects for young people in the United States and other countries.
That gives the record-setting transaction an additional purpose while allowing one collector to own the first production chassis from a new chapter in Ferrari’s history.
A New Chapter for the Prancing Horse
Ferrari has built its reputation around powerful engines, distinctive sound and decades of racing history. The Luce represents a very different direction, but the $40 million sale shows that Ferrari’s ability to create exclusivity remains powerful even as its technology changes.
Whether the Luce eventually becomes as celebrated as Ferrari’s legendary gasoline-powered models remains to be seen. For now, “Chassis 0” has already secured its place in automotive history as Ferrari’s first production electric car and the most expensive new car ever sold at auction.
