What do Ferraris from the ‘80s, ‘90s, aughts and 2010s have in common? For one, they’re still being painted in Rosso Corsa. And two, they’re all represented in The Ming Collection.
During RM Sotheby’s annual Monterey auction, set for August 15th to 17th in California, the house is bringing its usual slate of headline-making cars (including one of four Goldfinger Aston Martins). But above the fold, next to Bond’s machine, you’ll find seven uniquely seductive Ferraris from the aforementioned collection. Not only are they representative of four decades of the Prancing Horse, but they’re all low-mileage models.
Why is that such an important factor? It may seem obvious, but you know that old adage about cars losing value the second you drive them off the lot? It’s even worse for performance vehicles and supercars, like the Ferraris. You may buy that Prius with 60,000 miles on it and not bat an eye. But what about a track-only prototype that comes with a race suit and helmet? Just one day racing in the hands of some filthy rich dunderhead should make you think twice about bidding, especially when the estimated selling price is in the millions (and especially if he wore the suit).
Luckily for all you Ferrari fanboys, you don’t have to worry about that here. As Gord Duff, the Global Head of Auctions, said in a press release, “Every single car in the group is nearly better than new and the meticulous level of care that has gone into maintaining these cars is outstanding.”
We reached out to RM Sotheby’s to learn more about the actual collecting of the Ming Collection (Who collected them? Why these Ferraris? Et cetera.) and will update if we learn more. But for now, we’ve compiled your cheat sheet to the sale below, including the estimated selling price, the mileage on the odometer and one fact to know about each.
2006 Ferrari FXX
- Estimate: $2,850,000 to $3,250,000
- Miles: 1,705
- One thing to know: Only 30 of these track-only, Enzo-based developmental prototypes were made, and this one has only been on a track one time — during the initial delivery event at Ferrari’s Italian factory. As Hagerty writes, “The intent was to fully weaponize the Enzo to become the ultimate track monster, and it is safe to say that Ferrari accomplished that mission.”
1991 Ferrari F40
- Estimate: $1,500,000 to $1,800,000
- Miles: 1,705
- One thing to know: Even if you’re not familiar with the marque’s history, chances are you know this anniversary Ferrari (the name is a nod to their 40th). It’s an ‘80s automotive icon (even though it was produced until ‘92) and the last car approved by Enzo Ferrari before he passed away.
1984 Ferrari BB 512i
- Estimate: $350,000 to $425,000
- Miles: 2,500
- One thing to know: The name marks the five-liter, 12-cylinder, fuel-injected engine (512i) and the Berlinetta Boxer (BB) design.
2013 Ferrari 458 Spider
- Estimate: $225,000 to $275,000
- Miles: Not listed
- One thing to know: Unique among the collection for its customization, including Novitec lowering springs, an Akrapovič exhaust, and an Escort iX Ci radar detector with custom carbon fiber dash pods. In other words, this one’s meant to be driven.
2007 Ferrari F430 Spider F1
- Estimate: $200,000 to $250,000
- Miles: Not listed
- One thing to know: In a 2005 test drive, Car and Driver had this to say about the new F430: “Wide, squat, and busied up with air dams, exhaust tubes, and mesh screens, the [Spider] resembles the Millennium Falcon from the back as it screams past morning commuters in their microcubes.” Time yourself in parsecs.
1997 Ferrari F355 Spider
- Estimate: $125,000 to $150,000
- Miles: 704
- One thing to know: The F355 Spider was the first Ferrari to feature an electronic semi-automatic soft top, but don’t worry, the transmission on this one is a six-speed manual.
1985 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole
- Estimate: $100,000 to $150,000
- Miles: 4,000
- One thing to know: Almost as desirable as being low-mileage is having as few previous owners as possible. This 308 GTS only had one before joining The Ming Collection in 2013.
Check out the rest of RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction lots here.
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