One of the most enduring partnerships in the automotive world returns to California’s picturesque Monterey Peninsula for the 27th year. Monterey Car Week and RM Sotheby’s have routinely showcased rare gems at auction, such as 2023’s Lost and Found Collection. This lot of 20 Ferraris that had languished in storage for decades found new life in the event’s spotlight. RM Sotheby’s ended up claiming five of the top ten sales of that week, more than any other auction house present.
This year’s lots include a number of vintage roadsters and competition cars that have participated in the most prestigious racing events, from F1 to Le Mans, as well as a vehicle that embodies the spirit of a racer in the body of a street car.
1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider by Scaglietti
This was one of 4 cars designed specifically to tackle the Carrera Panamericana, a rally across the length of Mexico that’s divided into 9 stages taking place across a span of 5 days. It is widely considered to be one of the most dangerous races in the world and it calls for a racing machine that can glide over uneven roads. Ferrari fitted the 410 Spider with a low frame that had a shorter wheelbase and was powered by its largest engine, a 4,961 cc V-12. The race for that year was cancelled before the Spider could compete and it instead made its debut and earned its first victory at the Palm Springs Road Races in 1956 as part of the Scuderia Parravano. Mounting legal issues forced Parravano to flee to Mexico, and the 410 was among the vehicles that he took with him.
1957 Ferrari 625 TRC Spider by Scaglietti
The 625 TRC was the result of Enzo Ferrari’s ingenuity and ability to turn unfavourable conditions to his advantage. When the organisers of Le Mans reduced engine capacity to 2.5 litres as part of their sweeping changes to the event after the infamous 1955 disaster, Ferrari was quick to adapt to change and created the 625 LM, using the four-cylinder Tipo 625 Formula 1 engine. While that wasn’t as successful as expected, it did lead to the creation of the 625 TRC, which transplanted that same engine into the 500 TRC chassis. Only two such racers were designed for the South California racing circuit and this specific model became a fast favourite, achieving 21 top-three finishes and 10 victories over 40 races. It is fitted with the same Colombo V-12 that powered the 250 TR, but the original engine will also be packaged with the car.
2002 Ferrari F2001b Formula 1
This car holds a special place in racing history because of its long association with Michael Schumacher and was an integral part of his 2002 racing season. It is one of only 30 chassis that he drove to victory. This was a modified version of the 2001 chassis that was on its way out and was meant to be an interim vehicle while the chassis for the 2002 season was in the final stages of design. Mechanical issues cast doubts on the 2001b’s ability to perform, but Schumacher laid those doubts to rest when he won the season’s opening race. He would go on to win the Driver’s Championship and the chassis would make its way into racing legend.
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Alloy by Scaglietti
The North American Racing Team (NART) was one of four privately owned racing teams that were supported by the Ferrari factory in the 1960’s and was a powerhouse on the track. Team owner Luigi Chinetti really wanted to have the 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1969 but the vehicle was ineligible as its tires didn’t comply with the event’s standard. Instead, Chinetti opted to enter the car in the 24 Hours of Daytona race, where it had a strong showing.
1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider by Pinin Farina
This is one of only 13,500 Mondial Spiders produced by Pinin Farina and had its first race only two months after completion – the Mille Miglia. After an impressive debut at the 1,000-mile race, the car became a frequent participant in Nordic racing. It tackled events like the Ljungsdalbacken and Hedemor, and set a Swedish speed record at Varpenloppet. It would return to the Mille Miglia during the 70’s and 80’s, and even competed at the Monterey Historic Automobile Races.
1995 Ferrari F50
This car is a 50th anniversary model that was painstakingly built over 4 years. It is technically not a racer, but was designed by Pininfarina as an homage to Ferrari’s legendary racing models from the 1950’s and 60’s. It even features the same V-12 engine that powered its 1992 Formula 1 car, which results in an impressive performance on the road. This is not just a Ferrari ‘supercar’ – it is the closest thing that exists to a legally drivable F1 racer. Only 349 models were produced, of which this is the 47th and one of just 55 US deliveries. Its illustrious list of previous owners includes Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage, and the car is the holder of three Platinum awards, the most recent of which was awarded in 2023. It is being sold with all original accessories and documentation.
1955 Porsche 550 Spyder by Wendler
The 550 Spyder is the very first Porsche vehicle that was built specifically for racing, featuring an advanced design including a lighter aluminium body. Coupled with a 1,500 cc four-cam engine, the car became a force to be reckoned with on the track. This vehicle was the penultimate 550 Spyder ever built and was made for John von Neumann, a popular figure in Southern California racing who introduced brands like Porsche and Ferrari to the western United States. It faced the prospect of an early retirement after its debut race in 1956 but would go on to compete in more than 20 events between 1957 and 1958.
2006 McLaren-Mercedes MP4-21 Formula 1
This vehicle holds a significant place in racing history. It was the first to use the new naturally aspirated V-8 engine by Mercedes-Benz after the end of the V-10 era and was designed by F1 legend Adrian Newey during his final season with the McLaren-Mercedes team. It was driven by Juan Pablo Montoya during his sixth and final F1 season, and it would be used to test the mettle of a young Lewis Hamilton at the start of his career. The MP4-21 is one of the rare cars driven by Hamilton that isn’t part of a factory collection.
Final Take
These are just a handful among an incredible selection of vintage roadsters and supercars that will be up for auction with RM Sotheby’s during Monterey Car Week. The event has always been a highlight of summer at the Monterey Peninsula, and the 2024 auction is one that no car enthusiast will want to miss.
