The Ferrari – Leggenda e Passione auction staged by RM Sotheby’s in the marque’s hometown of Maranello on September 9 set a number of world records as it celebrated the 70th anniversary of the fabled Prancing Horse.
The one-day, single-marque auction held at the Pista di Fiorano circuit enjoyed a 92.5 percent sell-through rate while generating €63 million (US$75.35 million) in total sales, due in part to spirited bidding on the 2017 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta charity lot for Save the Children. Setting a record for a 21st century car, the Aperta commanded a final hammer price of €8.3 million (US$9.9 million).
It was joined by two other Ferraris in setting world records, as Rolling Stone guitarist Keith Richards’ 1983 Ferrari 400i established a new world mark for the model by bringing in €345.000 (US$412,672), while Ferrari’s own as-new 2016 488 Spider “Green Jewel” — wearing a special livery to celebrate Ferrari’s 70th anniversary — sold for €1.090.200 (US$1,304,206), well above its pre-sale estimate.
Nearly matching the LaFerrari as the auction’s second-highest sale was a numbers-matching 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider by Scaglietti, chassis no. 1503 GT (above, Diana Varga photo courtesy of RM Sotheby’s). One of the most desirable examples of the ultimate open Ferrari of its era, 1503 GT was offered from nearly two decades of single ownership and brought a top bid of €7,855,000 (US$9,399,136).
Of great interest was the 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta Alloy, the only road-going alloy Daytona in existence. The matching-numbers machine was offered in complete “barn-find” condition, having been discovered in Japan after being hidden for almost 40 years. Fully documented, this car is considered by many to be the ultimate road-going Daytona. Spirited bidding resulted in the car going for a final bid of €1,807,000 (US$2,161,985), making it the most valuable Daytona coupe ever sold at public auction.
“It has been a fantastic experience to return to Maranello and to conduct a sale in the company’s 70th anniversary year,” said Augustin Sabatié-Garat, car specialist at RM Sotheby’s and the auction manager for the event. “The atmosphere throughout the whole weekend has been incredible and it was clear that buyers were keen to secure the very cars that we had on offer. The sale exceeded all our expectations and the enormous sum raised for charity through the sale of the LaFerrari Aperta was a wonderful way to end the evening. We would like to thank our friends at Ferrari for all their assistance and cooperation over the past few months.”
The top 10 sales from Ferrari – Leggenda e Passione are listed below. For complete results please visit www.rmsothebys.com
- 2017 LaFerrari Aperta €8,300,000 (US$9.930,534)
- 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider by Scaglietti €7,855,000 (US$9,399,136)
- 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I – €4,719,000 (US$5,648,878)
- 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza – €3,375,000 (US$4,038,018)
- 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO – €3,263,000 (US$3,904,995)
- 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy – €2,927,000 (US$3,502,301)
- 1953 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupé – €2,871,000 (US$3,436,300)
- 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider – €2,479,000 (US$2,967,115)
- 2004 Ferrari Enzo – €2,311,000 (US$2,764,765)
- 2017 Ferrari LaFerrari Prototype – €2,129,560 (US$2,548,764)
