Rare Ferraris to be auctioned as 70th anniversary nears

Ferrari celebrates its 70th birthday in September, and the milestone is set to be marked in typically exuberant fashion as private collectors receive two opportunities to bid for some of the Italian marque’s rarest models at auction over the coming weeks.

RM Sotheby’s will auction off the thirteen-strong ‘Ferrari Performance Collection’ at its Monterey sale during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance next week, and will also oversee a special Ferrari sale at the carmaker’s base in Maranello next month.

• Most expensive cars sold at auction

The Pebble Beach event features some of the most sought-after Ferrari models in the world, with a 1991 F40, a 2011 599 GTO and a 1983 512 BBi among the many cars offered without reserve at Monterey. Remarkably, all of the lots have been given up for sale by a single owner.

The headline act will no doubt be the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, which is expected to fetch between $8,500,000 (£6,500,000) and $10,000,000 (£7,700,000).

Meanwhile at the Maranello event, examples going under the hammer will include a 1955 750 Monza, a 1966 275 GTB, and a Ferrari Enzo from 2004, to name but a few.

“For collectors and enthusiasts alike, the sale represents a world-class and singular event, perhaps one of the most significant auctions ever held,” said RM Sotheby’s CEO Rob Myers. “We are deeply honoured to hold this distinction.”

Below we’ve picked out a few of our favourites lots from the two auctions. What would you spend your money on if you had some cash to spare?

Ferrari Performance Collection - RM Sotheby’s Monterey Sale

1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 by Scaglietti

Expected to command a price of up to $3,250,000 (£2,500,000), this exquisite 275 GTB/4 has done 82,577km since new and was the 140th example built by Ferrari.

1976 Ferrari 308 GTB 'Vetroresina'

Heading into the auction without reserve, this 308 GTB from 1976 has a top end estimate of $225,000 (£175,000), having been the first of 100 examples to be imported into North Africa.

1983 Ferrari 512 BBi

Ferrari Classiche certified and carrying 20,458 miles on the odometer, this 512 BBi from the early 1980s has been valued at $325,000 (£250,000).

1991 Ferrari F40

For some the F40 is the greatest supercar of them all, so no wonder it’s carrying a top-end estimate of $1,500,000 (£1,550,000). This example has had two owners since new, and has only done 2,802 miles in nearly three decades of its existence.

2011 Ferrari 599 GTO

Age isn’t a prerequisite of a hefty price tag, as this six-year-old 599 GTO demonstrates. It’s anticipated that this model - which has done less than 520 miles over its lifespan - will be sold for $800,000 (£615,000).

Leggenda e Passione - RM Sotheby’s Maranello Sale

1955 Ferrari 750 Monza by Scaglietti

Successor the 500 Mondial, the 750 Monza was powered by a more powerful 3.0-litre version of the Mondial’s 4-cyl engine. It did battle - albeit in vain - with the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR in the World Sportscar Championship in 1955, the same year Alberto Ascari lost his life while testing the 750 Monza.

1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso by Scaglietti

RM Sotheby’s claim that the GT/L is the “most elegant model” of the 250 GT series, and it’s hard to disagree. This example has just 349 siblings, and has been used sparingly since it was restored to Concours standards in 2006.

1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS by Scaglietti

This beautiful Dino 246 GTS is made even prettier by the ‘Blu Dino Metalizatto’ paint. With 26,500km on the odometer it isn’t the most sparingly used by auction standards, but nonetheless this example has been extremely well maintained and is almost entirely original throughout.

1994 Ferrari 348 GT/C LM

In 1994, the 348 GT/C LM went to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with hopes of winning the GT2 class. And although three entered the race, only one finished, crossing the line in eleventh place and fourth in class, 31 laps behind the victorious Porsche 911 Carrera RSR.

2004 Ferrari Enzo

Described as Ferrari’s “first hypercar of the new millennium”, this Enzo is finished in ‘Nero’ black with a matching interior. It has done 21,500km since new, although the auctioneer insists that it has been rigorously maintained over the course of those miles.

2005 Ferrari 575 Superamerica

RM Sotheby’s says this car is one “of the most compelling models” produced while Ferrari was under the leadership of Luca di Montezemolo, although not everyone will agree with such superlatives. 559 examples of the 575 Superamerica were produced, with this particular car undergoing repairs worth €23,000 (£21,000) in 2016.