Monterey sale certain to make millions
What’s the collective noun for an assemblage of Ferraris?
We’re not sure, but it would certainly apply to this collection of 29 pristine Prancing Horses going to auction later this month.
All 29 will be up for grabs at RM Sotheby’s Monterey Sale on 24 and 25 August, and together we reckon they’re worth more than $90m (£71m).
The sale, which is timed to coincide with the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, regularly breaks auction records. Last year, for instance, an Aston Martin DBR1 sold for a breathtaking $22.5m.
This year’s line-up is every bit as special, not least because of the record-breaking number of Ferraris included in it.
Here’s a look at every one of them – in age order.
1953 Ferrari 250 MM Berlinetta
Estimate: $7.5m - 9m (£5.7m - 6.9m)
Built to celebrate a 250 S winning the 1952 Mille Miglia event, just 31 examples of the V12-equipped Ferrari 250 MM were built – 18 of which were fitted with fastback bodies by Italian coachbuilder Pinin Farina, including the one going to auction in Monterey.
1953 Ferrari 250 MM Berlinetta (cont.)
Chassis 0344 MM competed in a host of Scandinavian road and ice events in the early-’50s, before eventually ending up in the collection of Pierre Bardinon in 1972.
The current owner bought it in 2010 and had it cosmetically refurbished – including refinishing it in midnight blue.
1954 Ferrari 375 America Coupe
Estimate: $3.5m - 5m (£2.7m - 3.8m)
Next up is another multi-million dollar lot. The luxurious 375 America took the 250 GT’s underpinnings, strapped in a 4.5-litre V12 (good for 400bhp) and wrapped it all in beautiful, bespoke bodywork. Only 12 were ever built, including this 1954 example.
Chassis 0327 AL was one of only two to be bodied like this by Vignale, and it was exhibited in 1954 at both the New York World Motor Sports Show and the Geneva Motor Show.
1954 Ferrari 375 America Coupe (cont.)
Its first owner was famed motorsport sponsor Robert Wilke and it was subsequently stabled with several renowned collectors around the world – from Fritz Kroymans to Tom Price.
Refurbished at the start of the decade, it goes to auction with its original engine and just a small dent in the nose.
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Ellena Coupé
Estimate: $750,000 – 900,000 (£572,000 - 687,000)
Designed by Pinin Farina, the 250 GT was initially bodied by Boano – until his son took over the styling firm and delivered a further 50 Ferraris.
The Ellena Coupé is therefore a rare breed among Ferraris, and this example – the 23rd built – is one of the finest.
Restored in the ’90s, the award-winning coupé was shown at Pebble Beach in ’96 and remains in stunning, worn-in condition today.
1959 Ferrari 250 GT Coupé
Estimate: $575,000 – 700,000 (£438,000 - £534,000)
Next is another 250 GT Coupé, the 120th of 355 built and one of only three to have been delivered in a fine shade of Blu Genziana.
Restored in 1988, it won several awards in the early-’90s and remains in find condition today, complete with its original engine and, possibly not quite as importantly, its original tool kit.
1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II
Estimate: $1.3m – 1.6m (£1m - 1.2m)
Designed for classy cruising rather than drop-top racing, the 250 GT Cabriolet did touring in rapid fashion – and the Series II evolution added a host of visual and performance tweaks.
This particular example – chassis 2007 GT – was the 53rd to leave the Series II production line and shortly after it was finished in 1960 found itself stabled with Arthur L. Montgomery – then CEO of Coca-Cola.
1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II (cont.)
Sold on in the ’60s, it was residing in Georgia, USA by the ’90s and in 1996 underwent a restoration – and it’s been in the current owner’s private collection since.
Today it still carries its original engine and has fewer than 48,000 miles on the clock – not bad for a car that’s nearly 60 years old.
1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Alloy Berlinetta Competizione
Estimate: $9.5m – 13m (£7.25m - 9.9m)
Next up is a competition Ferrari that was built to race – but thankfully never crashed.
Chassis 2163 GT is one of just 42 of the 250 GT short-wheelbase machines to have been built with alloy bodies in 1960, and it spent much of its life in the care of British owners, entering several vintage car events in the ’90s.
1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Alloy Berlinetta Competizione (cont.)
It goes to auction in remarkably original condition, fitted with a correct, rebuilt Tipo 168 engine from a 250 GT LWB California Spider and wearing its appropriate Rosso Chiaro paint job.
Recently refreshed, it’s a stunning and pristine example of a truly rare Ferrari racer. And its bumper price does rather reflect that!
1961 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II
Estimate: $1.65m – 1.9m (£1.25m - 1.45m)
Continuing the 250 GT presence at Monterey is this second Series II Cabriolet. Finished in 1961, it’s one of just seven to have been delivered in a fetching shade of Grigio Fumo over a Beige Pelle interior.
1961 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II (cont.)
Blessed with a detailed and well-known ownership history, it’s Ferrari Classiche-certified and, after a comprehensive concours-quality restoration, it appeared at last year’s Pebble Beach event as part of Ferrari’s 70th anniversary celebration.
1962 Ferrari 250GTO
Estimate: $45m (£34.3m)
This one’s the headline lot – and, at $45m, it’s the most expensive car ever to go to auction.
Chassis 3413 left the Ferrari factory in 1962 as a Series I car – just the third of the 36 250GTOs that would eventually be built.
1962 Ferrari 250GTO (cont.)
It competed in 20 races in its prime – winning nine out of the 10 it entered in 1962 – and it retains its original engine, gearbox and rear axle, together with the factory Series II body it gained in 1964, at the hands of Italian coachbuilder Scaglietti.
1962 Ferrari 250GTO (cont.)
Once it retired from racing, the GTO entered a chain of ownership that can be traced through every step to the present day.
It was bought by the current owner in 2000 and has taken part in a raft of vintage events, showing that it can still be enjoyed even at 56-years-old and with a $45m price tag.
1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta ‘Lusso’
Estimate: $1.75m – 2m (£1.4m – 1.58m)
Last of the 250s at Monterey is this 250 GT/L Berlinetta – or ‘Lusso’. Launched at the ’62 Paris Motor Show, its stunning bodywork was penned by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti.
Chassis 4393 was the 21st of 350 to leave the production line, finished in 1963 before heading, variously, to Geneva, California, Chicago and Alabama, before bouncing back and forth between Europe and the USA.
1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta ‘Lusso’ (cont.)
Certified Ferrari technician Uwe Meissner oversaw its refurbishment in both the early-’90s and 2001, before it returned to the US and, in 2006, came into the ownership of Wayne Carini, host of Chasing Classic Cars.
Subsequently, it was well cared for and gained Ferrari Classiche certification, earmarking it as one of the finest examples of the Lusso around.
1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series II
Estimate: $1.75m – 2m (£1.4m – £1.58m)
The 330 GT 2+2 was only Ferrari’s second production four-seater, and its second iteration carried a host of changes over the first – including a five-speed gearbox, alloy wheels and optional air conditioning.
1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series II (cont.)
Chassis 7883 is one of those Series II machines, going to auction in exceptional restored condition, carrying a matching-numbers engine and with a long and traceable history of Italian ownership. The best news? There’s no reserve.
1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast Series II
Estimate: $1.75m – 2m (£1.4m – 1.58m)
Next up is a mid-’60s Prancing Horse machine that’s one of just 12 Series II examples of the 500 Superfast to have been built. What’s more, chassis 8459 SF is the seventh of only eight produced in right-hand drive guise.
1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast Series II (cont.)
First shipped to Jack Durlacher – backer of the Rob Walker racing team – after he rejected his first Superfast on the basis of paint quality, it was restored in 1981 and subsequently well looked after.
Today it carries its original engine and the correct paint scheme – as applied to just three Superfasts.
1968 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2
Estimate: $250,000 – 300,000 (£200,000 – 235,000)
Getting into the late-’60s, this 365 GT 2+2 might be a tenth of the price of some of the other lots, but it remains a fine example of mid-century Ferrari motoring – complete with matching numbers engine and that all-important optional air conditioning.
1968 Ferrari Dino 206 GT
Estimate: $550,000 – 750,000 (£435,000 – 590,000)
There’s no mistaking the distinctive Dino and its game-changing Pininfarina curves. This 1968 number is the 30th of just 152 Dino 206 GTs ever built.
Well-preserved and wearing its correct colour scheme, it’s a fine example of arguably one of the most important Ferrari models.
1969 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2
Estimate: $250,000 – 300,000 (£200,000 – 235,000)
Another 365 GT 2+2, this 1969 example is only the 25th to have been built to US spec.
Originally delivered to Ferrari enthusiast Richard Losee, it’s been stabled with the same owner since 1992 and goes to auction with its original engine.
1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider Competizione
Estimate: $2.3m – 3.5m (£1.8m – 2.75m)
Also at the sale is chassis 15965 – the only competition-spec Daytona built as a spider.
Shown at the 1975 Geneva Motor Show by designer Michelotti, the storied racer was entered – but withdrawn due to background politics – for both the 1975 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 1978 24 Hours of Daytona.
1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider Competizione (cont.)
Following its attempts at racing, it was stabled with oil magnate John Mecom Jr. who converted it to road spec.
Then, in 2002, it was rebuilt to Le Mans specification before returning to the track for a host of historic racing events – including the Le Mans Classic. It remains in fantastic running condition today, ready for its next outing.
1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta
Estimate: $575,000 – 650,000 (£450,000 – 510,000)
Next up is the first of a pair of 1973 Daytonas at the Monterey sale. Built for the US, this one’s spent its entire life Stateside – from its Philadelphia delivery office to its more recent California residence.
Equipped with factory air conditioning and power windows, it also carries aftermarket power steering and reportedly drives well. A perfect everyday Daytona, then.
1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta
Estimate: US$725,000 – 775,000 (£570,000 – 610,000)
Second of the Daytonas at Monterey is this Ferrari Classiche-certified example, one of only 30 originally delivered with a Nero paint job and in possession of its original engine, gearbox and interior.
Restored and recently serviced, it has a remarkably low 15,500 miles on the clock – making this US-spec machine a truly desirable Daytona.
1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS
Estimate: $300,000 – 400,000 (£235,000 – 315,000)
Another Dino, this one’s an example of the later, more powerful 246 GTS – and it ticks all the right boxes.
With just two owners from new – the current owner’s held it since 1989 – it has a mere 8300 miles on the clock and goes to auction as an impeccable, mechanically sound and unrestored Dino, accompanied by reams of documentation
1976 Ferrari 308 GTB ‘Vetroresina’
Estimate: $180,000 – 220,000 (£140,000 – 160,000)
Designed by Pininfarina, built by Scaglietti, the 308 GTB became the first roadgoing Ferrari to carry glassfibre (‘Vetroresina’) bodywork – with 712 leaving the factory wrapped in the lightweight material, including this 1976 example.
Highly original – equipped with matching numbers engine, gearbox and chassis – and with just 14,000 miles on the clock, it’s one fine GTB.
1984 Ferrari 288 GTO
Estimate: $2.75m – 3.25m (£2.15m – 2.55m)
Only the second Ferrari to carry the GTO moniker after the esteemed 250GTO, the 288 was built to allow Ferrari to go racing in Group B – even if the category didn’t exist by the time it came to fruition.
Angular styling and aggressive performance – think a top speed of 189mph and a 0-60 time of 4.8 seconds – soon showed it was a worthy recipient of that fabled label.
1984 Ferrari 288 GTO (cont.)
Chassis 55237 was the 137th GTO built and the first to ship to Japan. Delivered to prominent Ferrari collector Yoshiho Matsuda, it remained in his collection for some 25 years before he sold it in 2010 with just 9500km on the clock.
Imported to the US in 2015, it remains highly original and in outstanding condition.
1984 Ferrari 512 BBi
Estimate: $375,000 – 475,000 (£295,000 – 375,000)
Decode the name and you’ve got the key details of the 512 BBi: a 5-litre 12-cylinder engine with fuel injection.
Balancing performance with drivability, the 512 BBi could hit 60mph from standing in 5.4 seconds and topped out at 174mph, while also offering greater efficiency than the 512 before it.
This 1984 example is remarkably original, having been held in a private collection since 1988, with a mere 6200 miles on the clock.
1988.5 Ferrari Testarossa
Estimate: $130,000 – 160,000 (£100,000 – 125,000)
From the aggressive side strakes to the startling performance, the Testarossa was a supercar in every sense of the word.
This award-winning and Classiche-certified 1988.5 example wears a rare coat of Oro Chiaro Metallizzato and, with just 4300 miles on the clock, is in fantastic, all-original condition
1989 Ferrari Testarossa
Estimate: $130,000 – 160,000 (£100,000 –125,000)
A second Testarossa, this similarly striking number was delivered new to the USA, finished in classic Rosso Corsa.
Recently subject to a comprehensive service, it goes to auction as a fine example of Ferrari’s mid-’80s supercar poster boy.
1990 Ferrari F40
Estimate: $1.4m – 1.6m (£1.1m – 1.25m)
From one symbolic Prancing Horse to another, the F40 redefined what was meant by supercar performance.
Launched in 1987, its 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 was good for roughly 470bhp and could propel the featherweight machine all the way to 201.4mph – making it the world’s fastest production car.
1990 Ferrari F40 (cont.)
Only 1311 were ever built and this 1990 number is up there with the best, equipped with its original engine and gearbox, and with a mileage of just 1700.
In fact, shipping with its factory tool kit, manuals, car cover and luggage set, it’s probably as close as you can get to buying an F40 new today.
1995 Ferrari F512 M
Estimate: $325,000 – 375,000 (£255,000 – 295,000)
The esteemed Testarossa received its final send-off in 1994 with the unveiling of the 440bhp F512 M.
Distinguishable by a number of design flourishes bespoke to the model, this ’95 number has run for just 15,000 miles and remains in excellent condition.
2005 Ferrari 575 Superamerica
Estimate: $375,000 – 425,000 (£295,000 – 335,000)
Into the noughties and this more recent Prancing Horse is fine example of Ferrari’s 523bhp convertible, based on the 575M Maranello and equipped with an uprated 5.7-litre V12.
Shipped in Nero BB and with just 4400 miles on the clock, it’s ready to impress.
2011 Ferrari 599 GTO
Estimate: $575,000 – 650,000 (£450,000 – 510,000)
A proper performance car in the vein of the 250GTO and the 288 GTO before it, the 599 GTO delivered 670bhp and was good for 208mph.
Just 599 were produced, including this US-spec model built in 2011 and finished in Nero Daytona.
2014 Ferrari LaFerrari
Estimate: $3m – 4m (£2.35m – 3.15m)
Destined to be a classic of the future, this 2014 example of Ferrari’s hybrid supercar goes under the hammer with just test mileage on the clock – meaning it’s about as close to new as they come today.
2014 Ferrari LaFerrari (cont.)
Finished in classic Rosso Corsa, it also carries nearly $5000 worth of special-order options. Proceeds of the sale will go to the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan – so the buyer can enjoy their new 950bhp Ferrari guilt-free.
2017 Ferrari California T 70th Anniversary
Estimate: $300,000 – 350,000 (£235,000 – 275,000)
Back to the present and the last lot is this special-edition California. To celebrate its 70th anniversary, the iconic Italian marque made 70 unique liveries available, to be fitted just once to each model in its line-up.
Chassis 0666 TR wears a scheme inspired by the 250 Testarossa prototype and was one of 70 special anniversary Ferraris displayed at last year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.