A few months back, rock legend Sammy Hagar announced plans to auction off his prized 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari at Barrett-Jackson’s event in Scottsdale, Arizona, which is scheduled for next week. The sale of the one-of-a-kind hybrid hypercar was being aggressively publicized by both Hagar and the auction house with the anticipation of turning it into the most expensive LaFerrari ever sold. However, the plan seems to have met with a temporary hiccup, as the sale has been put on hold. You’ll be surprised by the reason that derailed the auction. Believe it or not, but it was a dead battery that stopped the jaw-dropping Ferrari from hitting the auction block.
As reported by USA Today, the sale of the vehicle had to be placed on hold after a full vehicle inspection by Barrett-Jackson recently found that the LaFerrari’s battery needed replacement. The highly specialized ion starter battery that powers the electric motor apparently had reached the end of its eight-year life span. Obviously, it’s not going to be cheap to replace it, considering the battery pack is fitted to a limited-production Ferrari model. According to a LaFerrari forum, it could cost more than $17,000 to replace the battery pack, including labor.
However, it’s not so much about the cost but the time it’ll take to procure the replacement battery. Unable to get a new one in time for the auction, the one-off LaFerrari’s sale has been moved to Barrett-Jackson’s auction in mid-October, just in time for Hagar’s 77th birthday.
This incident also highlights the issue faced by hybrids and EVs that are fitted with battery packs. Rarer the car, the more difficult and time-consuming it might be to get hold of replacement batteries. In 2021, Ferrari even launched the LaFerrari Power program, which includes an extension of the car’s factory warranty. Interestingly, it also covers the complex HY-KERS system and high-voltage battery. There is no information on whether Hagar opted for the program or not.
Hagar’s 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari is a one-of-a-kind example that features a bespoke cream-white exterior. Inspired by a Ferrari race car from the 1960s, it’s the only cream-colored LaFerrari in the world. The auction house believes the hypercar’s uniqueness and ownership history will help it set an auction record by selling for around $5 million.
As disappointed as I am about a last-minute mechanical problem, I am so happy I didn't sell the car to someone & have it happen to them. Good news is I get to drive the car more between now & 10/12 when it goes back on the block! 🥂@marcodellacava https://t.co/zs2eI8Di8Z pic.twitter.com/u6hb1jGVY2
— Sammy Hagar (@sammyhagar) January 23, 2024
