Their words not ours, but who would bet against it?

The mouths of Ferraristi will no doubt be watering at the prospect of “an exclusive, curated selection of the greatest sports, GT and racing Ferraris ever built, celebrating pivotal moments in the marque’s history and unearthing some of the most valuable and sought-after examples on the planet.” Enough said.

The relationship between the two organisations (although it was three in 2009) has been fruitful in the past with the last “Leggenda E Passione” Ferrari auction in 2009 breaking the record for the most expensive motor car ever to be sold at auction, the 1957 Ferrari 250 TR, chassis no. 0714TR selling for €9,020,000. It’s worth taking a look at the results of the auction to get a feel for just how far Ferrari values have grown since then – so the bar for outshining their previous results has been set relatively low.

“RM has successfully sold more examples than any other auction house, and proudly holds the record for four of the top 10 most valuable Ferraris ever offered for public sale.”

The timing is perfect for those collectors wishing to cash out of (or into) the Ferrari market as some sectors begin to cool – what finer coincidence than the celebration year of Ferrari’s 70th anniversary? The week leading up to the Maranello auction also sees the staging of Salon Prive, the Hampton Court Concours of Elegance and RM Sotheby’s own London sale at Battersea Evolution. The only fly in the ointment for those attending (and Bonhams) is that the auction clashes with Goodwood Revival. It will also no doubt have an impact on the cars offered at this year’s Monterey auctions, so expect a bigger than anticipated drop in sold values in California.

RM Sotheby’s are masters of surprise as they demonstrated with 2016’s Duemila Ruote auction, no doubt this sale will be no different but it also comes at a very important time for the market – one where we will learn what the big hitters really think about the collector market.

Images courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The Press release

RM Sotheby’s and Ferrari join forces during legendary marque’s 70th anniversary year to host most significant single-marque sale in collector car auction history
Held weekend of 8 September in Maranello, auction to feature some of the most valuable and sought-after Ferraris on the planet
Details on early entries for the auction to follow in coming weeks. More at www.rmsothebys.com.

BLENHEIM, ONTARIO (30 May, 2017) – RM Sotheby’s is thrilled to announce an historic sale held in partnership with one of the most revered marques the world over: Ferrari. The sale takes place during Ferrari’s 70th anniversary year, an extraordinary achievement in automotive history, and a major milestone in the marque’s rich heritage that will hold the attention of the global motoring community throughout 2017.

The collaboration will see RM Sotheby’s—the clear leader in the market for Ferraris at auction—join in the international year-long 70th anniversary celebrations. RM has successfully sold more examples than any other auction house, and proudly holds the record for four of the top 10 most valuable Ferraris ever offered for public sale. RM Sotheby’s and Ferrari have come together on numerous occasions in the past, including the 2007-2009 record-setting ‘Leggenda e Passione’ auctions held at the Ferrari factory in Maranello, events that cemented RM’s relationship and expertise with the marque. The strength of the partnership was proven once again in December 2016, with the charity auction of a unique LaFerrari at the Finali Mondiali at Daytona. The car achieved $7,000,000, with proceeds benefitting earthquake victims in Central Italy and, in the process, setting a record for a new car sold at auction.

“At RM Sotheby’s we are continually striving to offer our clients an experience that is second to none. Our partnership with Ferrari is a direct reflection of this crowning achievement. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, the sale represents a world-class and singular event, perhaps one of the most significant auctions ever held, in fact. We are deeply honored to hold this distinction and feel that this represents exactly what our customers expect from an association between such storied and historic brands as Ferrari and RM Sotheby’s”, says Rob Myers, CEO and Founder of RM Sotheby’s.

The partnership extends to several events throughout the anniversary year, culminating in the must-attend affair of the 2017 collector car calendar—an exclusive auction at the spiritual home of the marque—Maranello. Held 9 September at the Ferrari Factory, the auction will bring together an exclusive, curated selection of the greatest sports, GT and racing Ferraris ever built, celebrating pivotal moments in the marque’s history and unearthing some of the most valuable and sought-after examples on the planet. All entries for the sale will carry certification from the lauded Ferrari Classiche Department, with whom RM Sotheby’s enjoys a close relationship.

RM Sotheby’s has achieved incredible auction results to date across the full spectrum of Ferrari models; of the 660 million-dollar-plus cars sold in RM’s history, 40 percent are Ferraris. The upcoming event will build on this previous success in the sale of important Ferraris at auction, which accounts for nearly half of all examples sold for over $10,000,000 and is highlighted by: the ex-Works, ex-Juan Manuel Fangio 1956 Ferrari 290 MM, which commanded $28,050,000 at RM’s 2015 New York sale; the single-owner 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S N.A.R.T. Spider, which achieved $27,500,000 at RM’s 2013 Monterey sale, maintaining the record for the most valuable road-going Ferrari sold at auction; and, the one-of-three 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale sold for $26,400,000 at the same event in 2014. RM Sotheby’s auction expertise and Ferrari’s brand, coupled with the historic Maranello backdrop, will bring together the world’s discerning collectors for the most significant single-marque sale in collector car auction history and an unforgettable weekend.

For further information on the Ferrari sale, please visit www.rmsothebys.com, or call +1 519 352 4575 to discuss limited consignment opportunities. Additional details on early entries for the auction will be announced in the coming weeks.