If you’re into vintage Ferraris, chances are you’ve clocked what Gooding & Company is up to with their seemingly endless supply of amazing models. Luckily for all of us Ferrari fans, they always bring out the heavy-hitters at their Pebble Beach Auctions – this year will be no different. We picked six of our favorites so we can all collectively drool over them, or even bid on them, if you’re feeling flush.
In a few short weeks, Gooding & Company will offer these six star Ferraris at their Pebble Beach Auctions on August 16th and 17th. It’s still not too late to join the festivities! You may register to bid on them here, or comb through the rest of the auction catalogue if you can’t get enough.
1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series I Coupe(Estimate: $2,750,000 - $3,500,000)
Dare we say, the 410 Superamerica is kind of an underrated great in the Ferrari universe. It was unveiled as the successor to the 375 America, and was bigger in engine size and power. In other words, it boasted a sensational design, and a true sense of exclusivity.
This Pinin Farina-built Ferrari benefited from an ultra-exotic 4.9-liter Lampredi V-12, a strengthened chassis, coil-spring front suspension and fully synchronized gearbox. This car had no real rival when it was custom built – its first owner was Bao Dai, the last reigning Emperor of Vietnam and quite the Ferrari enthusiast, and the car still proudly wears his royal crest to this day. It passed hands to a few French owners before receiving a decade-long mechanical restoration, which cemented its place as authentic, with a Ferrari Classiche Red Book and Certificate of Authenticity. It even won the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® award for the best-preserved postwar vehicle, a huge honor. Not only is it a fantastic car, but it’s also a fascinating piece of history.
1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series I Coupé Aerodinamico(Estimate: $2,500,000 - $3,000,000)
There are two words that make any Ferrari nerd practically jump for joy. Do you think you can guess them? Short Wheelbase. Music to our ears. In case you’re not familiar, a short wheelbase means that the car has a shorter distance between its wheels resulting in easier maneuverability (especially around turns). They’re super desirable, especially on Ferraris.
Anyways, this car is #5 of only 14 short-wheelbase 400 Superamericas and is finished in Blu Lancia over a Blu Grigio leather interior. Its lineage has been meticulously traced by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, and in 2011, it received a Ferrari Classiche certification, confirming that it has its original chassis, engine, gearbox, and differential. It comes accompanied with an original copy of its feature in the April 1963 issue of Car and Driver. The Superamerica is a cornerstone in any truly great Ferrari collection, and this one is no exception!
1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast(Estimate: $1,900,000 – $2,200,000)
This car was first known as the talk of the town at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show, where Pininfarina showed off what they had built for their best client, Ferrari. Let’s start off by saying, it wasn’t called the Superfast for nothing. It featured the largest and most powerful engine to ever be fitted to a road-going Ferrari. Only 36 examples were built of this five liter V-12 engine-powered model, with a top speed of 170 mph – think about that 170 mph in a full luxurious leather cockpit in 1965!
This particular one was the 14th built and one of 28 specified in left-hand drive. It’s believed to be the only example produced in the dramatic color scheme of Nero over Beige. In 2015, it underwent a painstaking restoration, costing over $100,000, which resulted in Ferrari Classiche issuing a Certificate of Authenticity and a coveted Red Book. We would like to see just how “Superfast” we could go with it!
1954 Ferrari 250 GT Europa Coupe Speciale(Estimate: $4,500,000 – $6,500,000)
Do you ever look at a car and immediately know it’s a special one? That’s how we feel when we see the 1954 Ferrari 250 GT Europa Coupe Speciale. It was designed by Giovanni Michelotti and built by the legendary house of Carrozzeria Vignale. Vignale only built custom coachwork for approximately 155 Ferraris, taking the approach of classical sculpture, resulting in incomparable design.
This car has provenance in spades – it was actually commissioned by Princess Lilian de Réthy of Belgium, one of Ferrari’s most important customers in the 50’s. She was also the wife of King Leopold III of Belgium, one of Enzo Ferrari’s most important and enthusiastic customers.
The design of this car stands out among other Vignale-bodied Ferraris, with an impressive egg-crate grille, functional air vents with chrome strakes, and subtle tail fins, as well as a truly unique roofline. Eventually, in 2010, it was restored back to its compelling original colors of dark green with a white roof and contrasting tan interior by noted Ferrari specialist Motion Products, Inc. This ultimately helped lead it to win awards at Pebble Beach, Villa d’Este, Cavallino, and the FCA Nationals. You must now be wondering whether this beauty is also Ferrari Classiche Red Book certified and documented by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini? Well, that’s a resounding yes, as it is a car fit for royalty – as it always has been!
1953 Ferrari 375 America Coupe(Estimate: $3,000,000 – $4,000,000)
If you don’t know what all this Ferrari nomenclature is, we are here to educate. When a Ferrari is called an “America,” that means it is one of the company’s most exclusive, large-displacement road cars. This model had a massive V-12 fitted to the longest chassis the company had ever produced, with a classic Lampredi-type unit modeled after the company’s Grand Prix cars. No other car had as much power as the 375 America, with a top speed of 155 mph. Only 12 were ever built.
This example Gooding & Company has for sale showcases that traditional Ferrari and Pinin Farina je ne sais quoi, with its egg-crate grille, elegant proportions and sporting lines, as well as an interior designed for long-distance touring. It’s also notably the first 375 America produced. With a Paris show car pedigree and Keck family provenance, 0293 AL is a 375 America unlike any other. Do not miss out on this incredible piece of Ferrari history – it is completely revered within car circles for its captivating details and performance.
1956 Ferrari 500 TR(Estimate: $4,000,000 – $5,000,000)
This car comes from a super iconic era for Ferrari, when they were dueling constantly with Maserati. Born out of the 500 Mondial, the chassis design was refined to accommodate a more modern and aerodynamic body – the first to use a “Testa Rossa” name, which comes from the red crackle finish applied to the cam covers. The two-litre’s most famous outing was the 1000 km Supercortemaggiore Grand Prix at Monza, where Scuderia Ferrari entered three 500 TRs, which won first, third and fourth, before going on to win all over Europe.
This model was the last of 17 examples built and was sold to a French racing driver, Francois Picard, who competed with it all over Europe – it even competed at the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans. After decades of racing, it underwent a mechanical restoration before it went on to the concours circuit with a devoted owner. This gorgeous 500 TR, with its racing history and short list of caring owners, is one of one, and has been cared for as such.
This incredible menagerie of Ferraris and a whole lot more are going on sale soon at Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach Auctions. In the meantime, you can learn more through the Gooding & Company online catalogue or register to bid if you’re ready to sign for these beautiful cars already.
