Hoping to repeat its barnstorming success of 2007, RM Auctions has put together another superb catalogue for the 2008 Fiorano sale.

As last year, the Canadian auction house, in association with Sotheby’s, has tried to create a selection of cars that – in the rarefied atmosphere that is Ferrari collecting – will have a ‘broad’ appeal. Lowest estimate goes to the ‘No Reserve’ 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS (45.000 - 60.000 euros), while it will be high-rollers-only in the bidding for either of the 250 GT California Spyders.

First in the motor car section of the catalogue is the 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT, estimated at 95.000 - 120.000 euros. It’s one of four Dinos in the sale, all estimated similarly. As Dino production was phasing out Ferrari introduced its first big-capacity mid-engined car – the Berlinetta Boxer. There are three BBs at this year’s auction, including a highly original 1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB at 140.000 - 180.000 euros, just one of only 387 built and equipped with the earlier, single-piece, seats.

1996 Ferrari F50: 450.000 - 500.000 euros	1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso: 480.000 - 580.000 euros
1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 'Daytona' Spyder - very rare European specification: 800.000 - 1.000.000 euros	1951 Ferrari 195: 350.000 - 410.000 euros

The Boxer was introduced when Ferrari had just demolished the opposition in long-distance sports car racing with its 312 PB and only a few years after the heydays of the magnificent 512S, and 512M, series of 5-litre ‘production’ cars. One of these is included in the catalogue, a 1971 Ferrari 512 M originally supplied to Scuderia Brescia Corse. 2.000.000 - 2.500.000 euros is the estimate for this sure-fire entry to the Le Mans Classic and the Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge.

21 years separates the 200mph/600bhp Le Mans car from the sale’s oldest entry, the 1950 Ferrari 166/195S (425.000 - 475.000 euros). You can read our driving impressions of the remarkable car elsewhere on Classic Driver and in addition to this early Ferrari there is a 1951 Ferrari 340 MM America (1.200.000 - 1.500.000 euros), a 1951 Ferrari 195 (350.000 - 410.000 euros), and a 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter Europa Coupe PF (650.000 - 800.000 euros).



Like all the cars in the sale they carry Ferrari Classiche Certification, and every one of these older cars has stories to tell – none more so than the silver/black 212 Inter Europa (above) originally purchased by film director Roberto Rossellini for his wife, the movie star Ingrid Bergman.

To say that Ferrari has produced some exciting cars over the years is an understatement. During the 1960s the company came out with one creation after another that set the standard for style and performance. Top of the tree – following the on-track success of the immortal 250 GTO – must be the 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4. This is another car examined in detail on Classic Driver, but if there’s a better way of spending 800.000 - 1.100.000 euros on the most perfectly restored example of the finest marque and model I’d like to know about it.

1989 Ferrari F 40 Valeo "Agnelli Speciale": 400.000 - 480.000 euros

1966 Ferrari 275 GTS: 350.000 - 450.000 euros

Several more modern competition cars will be at Fiorano, including a 1990 Ferrari F 40 LM, estimated at 1.000.000 - 1.400.000 euros, a 1999 Ferrari 333SP (750.000 - 950.000 euros) and several more recent single-seaters including the ex-Schumacher 2000 Ferrari F1-2000 for 1.100.000 - 1.500.000 euros.



Stars of the event, however, are likely to be the two California Spyders. The black car, a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT short wheelbase version, ex-James Coburn, is estimated at 3.200.000 - 3.600.000 euros, while the 1958 Ferrari 250 GT long wheelbase Rosso Rubino example carries a price of 2.500.000 - 3.000.000 euros. These are fabulous cars and rarely come under the hammer outside Monterey-week sales.

2007 Ferrari F430 GT2: 400.000 - 450.000 euros

1971 Ferrari 512 M: 2.000.000 - 2.500.000 euros

Ferrari Memorabilia and Parts featuring The Garage Francorchamps Collection

Starting off the sale will be over 100 lots of automobilia. In addition to modern collectors’ pieces such as a 2006 Season 248 F1 Engine (60.000 - 80.000 euros), there’s a unique selection of pieces coming directly from the famous Belgian Ferrari concessionaire, Jacques Swaters. A regular entrant at Le Mans from the early 60s to the 70s with top-notch cliente machinery, Swaters has created what must be the most desirable Ferrari collection outside the factory.

Collectors can choose from items such as a Garage Francorchamps Metal Signboard (3.000 - 4.000 euros), an Ecurie Francorchamps wristwatch by Girard-Perregaux (7.500 - 10.000 euros) or the Rear Bodywork from Ferrari 512S chassis 1030 (12.500 - 15.000 euros).



There’s also lot 220, the 1980 Ferrari Pinin, Ferrari’s first four-door, executed as a styling exercise by Pininfarina. And or those who cannot quite run to a complete 1967 Ferrari 330GTC, why not bid on the Static Exhibition Display, a complete right-hand side of car painted and ready for wall-mounting? It carries an estimate of 25.000 - 30.000 euros

All of The Garage Francorchamps Collection lots are ‘Offered Without Reserve’.

Rear Bodywork from Ferrari 512S chassis 1030: 12.500 - 15.000 euros

Two Ecurie Francorchamps wristwatch es by Girard-Perregaux: 12.500 - 15.000 euros

To see a full lotlisting of entries to the May 18th Leggenda e Passione auction please CLICK HERE.

To see all motor car entries in the Classic Driver car database please CLICK HERE.

Please CLICK HERE to read our review of the RM 2007 Maranello sale.

Preliminary auction schedule

SALE:
May 18, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(viewing starts at 9:00 AM)

PREVIEW:
May 16, 2008 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
May 17, 2008 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
May 18, 2008 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Dates and times are subject to change.

GALA RECEPTION:
May 17, 2008 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM (by invitation only

LOCATION:
Ferrari S.p.A.
Circuito di Fiorano
41042 Fiorano, Maranello, Italia

RM Auctions in association with Sotheby's 34-35 New Bond Street London W1A 2AA UK UK Telephone: +44 (0)207 293 6336 Fax: +44 (0)207 293 6337 North America Telephone: +1 800 211 4371 Website: www.rmauctions.com Email: [email protected].

Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: RM Auctions in Association with Sotheby's

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