A 1986 hit movie made the Ferrari 250 GT California Spider famous among non-enthusiasts, but the California Spider had a rich life before that film. Enthusiasts have revered the car as a pinnacle Ferrari classic since it left the factory more than a half-century ago. The Ferrari collectors who restored this 1962 California Spider bought it in lightly damaged condition in 1972 for – wait for it – $2,400! It is expected to sell for up to $22 million at the Gooding & Company Amelia Island auction.
One a year in January, Palm Beach, Florida becomes the center of the Ferrari world with Cavallino Classic. This four-day event presents the full spectrum of the Ferrari lifestyle, including racing, touring, and concours competition – all in and around the luxurious setting of The Breakers hotel. A feast for all the senses, Cavallino Classic is a rare opportunity to see the marque’s vibrant history on display and on the track.
Will the 812 GTS be Ferrari’s final front-engine, naturally aspirated V-12 spider? Based on the appropriately named 812 Superfast Berlinetta, the 812 GTS shares a lineage with a line of classic open Ferraris, including the magnificent 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider of the early ’70s. The 812 GTS has a retractable hardtop roof and a 789-horsepower 6.5-liter V-12. Bonhams’ Scottsdale auction is offering a 2021 812 GTS with just 217 miles.
The F512 M is considered the Testarossa at its pinnacle, the last of Ferrari’s analog flat-12 supercars. After three decades, the car can still snap necks even while standing still. The F512 M continued the Testarossa / 512TR evolution, and Ferrari would make just 501 of this final version before sunsetting its flat-12 supercar series. Demand was high for the 75 cars sent to the U.S., and RM Sotheby’s Miami auction in December is offering #52, a two-owner model from the Youngtimer Collection with 10,200 miles. The pre-sale estimate is $400,000-$450,000.
Built 35 years ago, Porsche’s 959 is still considered king of the marque’s 911 line. Only 292 cars were made, with a price tag of $227,000, and Porsche reportedly lost money on each one. Broad Arrow Auctions is offering a 1987 Guards Red 959 Komfort at its Monterey Jet Center Auction, with a pre-sale estimate of $1.4 – $1.6 million.
The 599 GTB Fiorano design by Jason Castriotta at Pininfarina channeled 50 years of Ferrari spirit. There probably is not a better bang-for-the-buck V-12 model in the Ferrari catalog than the 599 GTB.
LaFerrari was Ferrari’s first hybrid, and sold for $1.4 million in 2013. Today, these beautiful cars sells for $3 million at auctions. And it’s not “Ferrari LaFerrari,” just LaFerrari.
The annual Scottsdale 2019 auctionpalooza came to a close on Sunday, with the seven auctions tallying $251m, the fourth highest take ever for these sales. Unsurprisingly, seven out of the top-10 sales for the week were Ferraris.
At its Scottsdale auction this month, RM Sotheby’s will offer a 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO originally sold in the U.S. but rarely driven. The car shows less than 2,900 miles after passing through the hands of several collectors. The pre-sale estimate is $3.2m-$3.6m.
