Ferrari LaFerrari auctions for US$7m

Supercars might be pin-up symbols for greed, but not this time.

Last week a one-off LaFerrari fetched US$7m at auction, with all proceeds going to the victims of the Central Italy earthquakes.

The winning bid, converting to an incredible $9.37m in Australia, makes this LaFerrari the most valuable car made after the year 2000.

It also makes it AU$6m more expensive than the original car's price (AU$2.5m), and about AU$4m more expensive than second-hand examples.

Yet, the only difference is its unique paint scheme.

Two white lines streak from its nose to its engine’s window, while its nose is marked with red, green, and white – the colours of the nation’s flag— as a mark of respect.

Adding to exclusivity is the fact was never originally planned. This LaFerrari, the 500th example, was decided upon after Ferrari and the Italian Government had a chat in Maranello.

Inside there’s also a plaque to commemorate the more than 290 people killed when a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Amatrice in September and thousands displaced in its aftermath.

The sale took place at the last round of Ferrari’s Challenge Series at Daytona Beach, where the SP275 Competizione and 488 Challenge were also revealed.

It’s reported two official Scuderia Ferrari F1 racing suits and gloves were also put up for auction, signed by Sebastien Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, that raised another US$36K (AU$48K).

This is not the first time Ferrari’s built a special ‘extra’ for charity. In 2004 Ferrari donated an Enzo to the Pope, which was then auctioned off for Tsunami victims.

This one, however, you could call ‘Italy’s LaFerrari’.