They say money can’t buy happiness, but it can surely buy the rarest Ferrari in the world.

Few collector cars have a story quite like David Lee’s 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO ‘Bianco Speciale.’ One of just 36 examples built, the factory-white Ferrari went from a record-setting auction sale to becoming a standout Hot Wheels release.

Lee, the CEO of the Hing Wa Lee Group, one of the largest luxury watch retailers in the US and a renowned California-based Ferrari collector, acquired chassis 3729GT for $38.5 million (PHP 2.375 billion) at Mecum Kissimmee in January 2026. The historic sale set a new auction record for Mecum and solidified the Ferrari 250 GTO’s status as one of the world’s most valuable collector cars.

The one and only white 250 GTO

Built in 1962, chassis 3729GT is the only Ferrari 250 GTO finished in white at the factory. Its original owner, British privateer team principal John Coombs, commissioned the distinctive Bianco Speciale finish instead of Ferrari’s traditional "Rosso Corsa", or “Racing Red” color.

Its rarity and racing provenance were further recognized at the recently held 2026 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where Lee’s GTO received the Tony Hulman Trophy for “the most significant race car present.”

For Lee, the Ferrari also became the centerpiece of another chapter in his collection. He owns Ferrari’s five modern halo cars, the 288 GTO, F40, F50, Enzo, and LaFerrari in both red and yellow, which he calls his “Ketchup and Mustard Collection.” The white 250 GTO marks the beginning of what he calls his “Mayo Collection.”

Hot wheels collectible

The Bianco Speciale’s story took an unexpected turn when Hot Wheels recreated it as a 1:64-scale model for its premium Car Culture Vintage Racing series. The release coincided with Mattel’s renewed official licensing partnership with Ferrari, allowing collectors to own a miniature version of one of the world’s most valuable Ferraris.

The timing was fitting. Lee’s $38.5-million purchase had thrust chassis 3729GT into the spotlight, while its unusual white livery made it an instantly recognizable subject for die-cast collectors. For enthusiasts, the Hot Wheels version is more than another Ferrari miniature. It captures the intersection of Ferrari racing history, the collector-car market, and die-cast culture.

But much like the real car, the die-cast version has become equally hard to find, having quickly sold out at local toy stores upon its release, with most examples snapped up by collectors and resellers looking to turn a profit. A quick look at online shopping platforms and collector groups shows where the 250 GTO can be found, but at marked-up prices, reflecting the die-cast model’s growing demand and scarcity.

From a privateer race car in the 1960s to a $38.5-million auction star and now a Hot Wheels collectible, chassis 3729GT has come a long way. And thanks to Hot Wheels, one of the rarest Ferraris ever built can now be enjoyed by die-cast collectors at a far more accessible price.

How about you? What's your rarest Hot Wheels die-cast collectible car?