Italian style at Monterey

By Greg MacLeman

| 4 Aug 2014

Ever year, hundreds of the world’s most beautiful and historically significant classic cars flock to Monterey on the west coast of America for a week-long celebration of the automobile, where they are judged and admired in equal measure.

For many, part of the attraction is the ability to buy these automotive gems.

This year, RM Auctions' Monterey sale, taking place on 15-16 August, has a distinctly Italian flavour, such is the abundance of Ferraris, Maseratis and Lamborghinis on offer.

The headline act is surely the 1967 Ferrari 275GTB/4 that was once owned by Steve McQueen, but there's plenty more on offer for those with pockets not quite so deep ($8-12m).

Here are a few of our favourites.

Photo credit: Darin Schnabel, Pawel Litwinski, Tim Scott, Dirk de Jager

This 1964 Ferrari 275GTB/C Speciale was the first example of only three that were ever built. The other two cars are housed in private collections, making this a rare opportunity to buy one of the finest Ferraris of the period.

The Lamborghini Miura has been hailed as one of the most beautiful cars of all time, and this 1971 SV is no exception; it won Best in Class at The Quail in 2009, and is estimated at $1.8-2.4m.

The Ferrari 250LM was the last of the marque to win the Le Mans 24 Hours. This 1964 car is making a return to Pebble Beach; it was displayed at the Concours d'Elegance in 1969 ($8.5-12.5m).

This 1963 Maserati 5000GT is the first of just two examples bodied by Frua, and starred at the 1962 Geneva and Paris car show ($2.2-2.9m).

This 1979 Lamborghini Countach LP400S is the final car of its kind to be delivered to the United States, and has covered only 864km since then ($600-800,000).

It is thought that as few as eight Lancia Aurelia PF200C Spiders were built by Pinin Farina, making this example a genuine rarity ($1-1.5m).

This 1953 Ferrari 250 Europa coupé boasts a fine history, including participation in period Italian concours events. Fitting then, that it won Best in Class at this year's Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este ($1.9-2.4m).

The Ferrari 250GT Lusso Berlinetta was the last of the 250 line, and this 1963 model is a fine example, having been with the same owner for 46 years ($1.9-2.5m).

Greg MacLeman

Greg MacLeman is a contributor to and former Features Editor of Classic & Sports Car, and drives a restored and uprated 1974 Triumph 2500TC

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