California man spends $2,425,000 on Ferrari that can't be driven on US roads
Published on Feb 25, 2026 at 10:11 PM (UTC+4)
by Jason Fan
Last updated on Feb 25, 2026 at 1:17 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
A Ferrari snapped up by collector David Lee for $2,425,000, might be one of the most impractical supercars money can buy.
It cannot be registered.
It cannot legally cruise down Rodeo Drive.
And yet, someone just paid millions to park it in a collection.
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This Ferrari accumulated plenty of mileage during testing
That someone is David Lee, the Los Angeles based jewelry mogul and high profile Ferrari enthusiast known for his eye watering stable of Maranello’s greatest hits.
The car in question is an internal development prototype for the Ferrari LaFerrari, sold through RM Sotheby’s.
Unlike the production model, this pre production machine lacks the hybrid system that made the LaFerrari such a technological powerhouse.
And because it was never homologated, it is not street legal in the United States.
To understand why this matters, you have to understand the LaFerrari itself.
Revealed at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the hypercar paired a naturally aspirated 6.3 liter V12 with Ferrari’s HY KERS electric system to produce a combined 950 horsepower.
Production was capped at 499 coupes between 2013 and 2016, later joined by 210 Aperta convertibles.
With an original MSRP of around $1.4 million, values today hover around $3.5 million, while the open top cars can soar past eight figures.
This prototype, internally linked to the ‘F150’ development program, reportedly accumulated over 34,000 miles during testing.
Engineers used it to calibrate systems before the LaFerrari’s global debut.
It retains a production style body, finished under camouflage wrap, with Rosso paint and carbon fiber elements beneath.
Ferrari even issued it a Classiche ‘Yellow Book’ in 2022, confirming its historical significance despite its non road legal status.
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David Lee is one of the biggest Ferrari collectors out there
For Lee, exclusivity is the point.
The outspoken collector, who owns dozens of Ferraris and frequently showcases them online, has long pursued limited run halo cars.
Ferrari’s invitation-only specials are notoriously difficult to obtain, and are typically reserved for loyal clients with deep purchase histories.
In 2017, he gained notoriety after the Los Angeles Times reported that he failed to buy the exclusive LaFerrari Aperta, despite his vast collection of Ferraris.
The saga dragged on for years, and Ferrari wasn’t pleased with the negative press generated.
Finally, in 2022, Lee managed to convince Ferrari to finally sell him the LaFerrari Aperta, mending the damaged relationship between the two parties.
So yes, while $2.4 million for a Ferrari you cannot legally drive sounds absurd, it’s clear that Lee is a huge Ferrari fanboy.
And in the ultra-exclusive world of Ferrari’s inner circle, owning a piece of development history might just be the ultimate flex.
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Jason joined the editorial team at Supercar Blondie in April 2025 as a Content Writer. As part of the growing editorial team working in Australia, and in synergy with team members in Dubai, the UK, and elsewhere in the world, he helps keep the site running 24/7, injecting his renowned accuracy and energy into every shift.
