The focus of Ferrari collectors around the globe returns to Maranello, Italy.

By Cristy Ordoqui

Since the first street-legal Ferrari was manufactured in 1947, the famous prancing horse on a yellow shield has represented the epitome of performance sports cars for Ferrari fans around the world. The brand represents exclusivity, technological excellence, and precision engineering. And this upcoming May, Ferrari fans around the world will race to Maranello, Italy, for one of the most important auctions in automotive history.

RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby’s, will be hosting its second annual “Ferrari Legenda e Passione” on May 18, 2008, an event that is sure to attract collectors the world over as well as spectators with the excitement of what will surely be one of the most important car auctions to date.

Included in the event is a pair of particularly rare Ferrari 250 California Spyders and the only four-door Ferrari ever built, the 1980 Pinin prototype, among several additional selections from the Ferrari and Maserati collections.

“Over the last three decades, RM has built a reputation for unparalleled quality, and global buyers and sellers alike are increasingly turning to us as their auction house of choice,” says Rob Myers, founder of RM Auctions.
The auction will mark RM’s third European event following their record-breaking $46 million dollar start in Maranello last year as well as the more recent sale in London, which included roughly 50 cars from the esteemed Bernie Ecclestone Collection alongside two additional important European collections.

The headliner of the much-anticipated event is a pair of the most coveted edition of the Ferrari models: the 250 California Spyder. Just over 100 of these fascinating examples of automotive excellence were built between 1957 and 1962, and in less than one month, two lucky collector car fanatics will be able to drive away in these famed automobiles for an estimated $4-$6 million.

One of the two, a 1958 LWB covered headlamp version finished in classic Rosso red, was one of the earliest versions of the California Spyder ever built, and was delivered new to John von Neumann’s dealership in Hollywood, California, from the Maranello factory in July 1958. For more than 40 years, it remained on the West Coast, changing hands several times before becoming the possession of a prominent British collector in 1999.

The other Spyder is a 1961 SWB version with coachwork finished in Nero black. Academy Award winner and performance sports car enthusiast, the late James Coburn, once owned this meticulously maintained automobile.

In addition, confirmed for the auction is one of the world’s most important Ferrari memorabilia collections-the Ferrari Francorchamps Collection, which includes the exclusive Pinin prototype. This is the first time the collection has ever been offered, giving Ferrari aficionados the chance to purchase a piece of automotive history.

However, if you happen to be a fan of the more recent Ferrari collections, there will be a little something at the auction for you as well. At least one iconic 2003 Ferrari Enzo (only 399 were built) will be featured in the line-up.

So if you consider yourself a connoisseur of vintage collector cars, mark your calendar, for this extraordinary event is sure to present you with many fierce additions for your collection.