Leading the early consignments for RM's biennial Villa Erba sale on 25 May is a 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica.
Once a leftfield choice for collectors, the Pininfarina-styled rarity is now at the heady end of the Ferrari firmament and this one – chassis 3559SA, one of only 36 examples built in 1962 – is expected to make up to €2million.
That's four times the money expected to be raised by a 1947 Cisitalia 202 MM ‘Nuvolari’ Spider with Mille Miglia history.
Cheaper still, for want of a better phrase, is an ex-Motor Show Barker-bodied 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Open Tourer that served as transport for Princess Elizabeth on her 1952 tour of Kenya. Estimated at €375–€450,000, the car was a hit at last year's Windsor Castle Concours d'Elegance.
Last of the early big-hitters is a 1930 Bugatti Type 46 Superprofile Coupé that took awards at the 2011 Sydney Concours and is expected to make up to €1million.
Just 40 classics will be auctioned during the high-roller sale during the Villa d'Este concours weekend in Italy.
Max Girardo, managing director of RM Europe, said: “It will be wonderful to be back at Lake Como and supporting the Concorso d’Eleganza with what promises to be a truly spectacular selection of cars.
