RM beat its previous record for the ‘most expensive motor car ever to be sold at auction’ by a handy 1,980,000 euros last weekend, with the 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa selling for 9,020,000 euros. Readers will remember the famous ex-Coburn 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder achieving 7,040,000 euros at the same event in 2008.

There’s no doubt about it, the world has changed since then. Few would dispute that RM sets the standard for high quality sales, and the 2009 all-Ferrari/Maserati event was another stunner. Potential buyers, however, were just that little more difficult to find this year – as shown a day later, at Bonhams Monaco event.

Or perhaps the buyers were there – it was just the sellers that needed to be flexible in their expectations...

1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Tour de France - Sold for 2,310,000 euros	1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GT - Sold for 82,500 euros
1985 Ferrari 288 GTO - Sold for 385,000 euros	1959 Ferrari 250GT (SWB) Berlinetta Speciale Bertone - Not Sold

That said, you can’t gross over 21 million euros and be particularly disappointed.

The 250 TR looked superb on the nearby Fiorano test track (and roads of Maranello…) when driven on the Saturday. These do not come up very often and, if you wanted to buy one, this particular example was a stunner in its black and red period livery.

The 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 Can-Am car was a relatively late entry but also featured heavily in pre-event publicity. Despite fevered action post-sale, it failed to find a buyer despite a bid of over 7m euros on the day. The debate will rage on as to whether this genuine car (carrying Ferrari Classiche certification, as all the entries do) should remain as a Can-Am spyder or ‘revert’ to its long-distance, much more desirable, bodywork – a change that requires lengthening the chassis and maybe spending $2m in the process.



Looking at the sellers (most of which could easily headline a ‘normal’ sale), the 1959 Ferrari 250GT California Spyder (LWB), an ex-Rodríguez brothers car, sold for 2,117,500 euros and the simply fantastic 2008 Maserati MC12 Corsa for 770,000 euros.

Those ‘in the know’ rated the 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Tour de France highly. A potential Le Mans Classic, Tour Auto or Mille Miglia retrospective entry, the beautiful French blue GT sold for 2,310,000 euros.

1974 Ferrari 365 GT 4 BB - Sold for 126,500 euros

1957 Ferrari 250 GT Ellena Coupe - Sold for 275,000 euros

Dutch collector Edgar Schermerhorn’s cars all sold, with the exception of his delightful, two-tone blue Farina-bodied 1949 Ferrari 166 Inter Coupé that was withdrawn prior to the sale. Top seller from this collection was the impressive 1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast, at 715,000 euros.



Of the 275 GTBs, the rare, racing 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/C was bid to 1,250,000 euros but did not sell; however the two others did, with the Giallo Fly alloy 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB going for 797,500 euros and the superb silver 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C for 660,000 euros.

The latter also garnering the (unofficial) Classic Driver “What would you like to drive home in?” award.

1969 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 - Sold for 77,000 euros

1964 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso Competizione - Not Sold

There was talk of last year’s magnificent, greeny-silver Lusso (which sold for 759,000 euros – a real cracker) and for 2009 RM came up with a very good, red 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso which sold for 440,000 euros. Both Dinos sold pretty well on-estimate, and the rather nice, metallic blue 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 deservedly did well, going for 110,000 euros. The colour was great and the interior spot-on.

A lovely car.



Of a similar era, the Rosso Dino 1974 Ferrari 365 GT 4 BB looked good in the Maranello sunshine and sold, mid-estimate, for 126,500 euros. Sporting an unusual colour, these cars must be a good bet for the future with their dramatic styling, six-tailpipe exhaust and useable performance from the big, 380bhp flat-twelve ‘Boxer’ motor.



Prior to the motor car auction, 98% (or 529,230 euros gross) of the automobilia sold, with the ‘without reserve’ Scuderia Ferrari Drivers’ Motorcoach by Iveco selling over-estimate for 132,250.00 euros.



On the Saturday of the sale weekend visitors were treated to the Mille Miglia driving through the Maranello factory. RM and Ferrari had also laid on tours of the production facility and Ferrari Classiche’s fantastic workshops. Neither RM nor Ferrari put a foot wrong – it was another wonderful event. Just factor in a few more realistic sellers and watch the records really tumble.

To see the full, multi-currency results of the May 17th Leggenda e Passione auction please CLICK HERE.

RM Auctions, in Association with Sotheby's, will hold its next European sale in London, on October 28th.

RM Auctions in association with Sotheby's 46a Carnaby Street London W1F 9PS UK UK Telephone: +44 (0)20 7851 7070 Fax: +44 (0)20 7851 7079 North America Telephone: +1 800 211 4371 Website: www.rmauctions.com Email: [email protected].

Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: Classic Driver

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