Is this £5m Ferrari collection the best you’ll see this year?

By Marc McLaren
News
 | 14 Jun 2019
Is this £5m Ferrari collection the best you’ll see this year?

It’s a Ferrari collector’s dream: seven near-pristine Prancing Horses from the same owner, all for sale at one auction.

Well that dream is about to become a reality, because later this summer RM Sotheby’s will offer The Ming Collection at its Monterey sale – and what a collection it is.

This septet of spectacular supercars is led by an ultra-rare 2006 Ferrari FXX and also includes a 1991 F40 with fewer than 2000 miles on the clock, a 1984 Ferrari 512BBi and a 1985 Ferrari 308GTSi.

Rounding up the amazing group are a 2007 Ferrari F430 Spider F1, a 2013 Ferrari 458 Spider and a 1997 Ferrari 355 Spider. 

Almost all of them are single-owner examples and all have incredibly low mileages. And although all will probably command high prices, five of them will go to auction with no reserve.  

Is this £5m Ferrari collection the best you’ll see this year?

This Ferrari FXX is one of only 30 built

The undoubted star of The Ming Collection is the Ferrari FXX.

Just 30 of these track-only developmental prototypes were built, based on the only-slightly-less-exclusive Enzo, and this one is as immaculate as they come.

It’s only been on the track once – at Fiorano, during the FXX delivery event at the Ferrari factory in Italy – and is being sold by its original owner.

Powered by a 789-horsepower version of the Enzo’s 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine, the FXX is dripping with tech straight out of Ferrari’s F1 programme and can hit 214mph. 

It was only sold by Ferrari to valued customers, who are allowed to drive it on designated tracks and days, and the chance to buy one really doesn’t come up often.

Finished in Rosso Scuderia with white stripes, it underwent a recent service and comes complete with three FXX Programme travel cases containing factory track support equipment, plus an unused factory race suit and helmet. So yes, you could buy this and enjoy a spot of dressing up, too.

If all that’s got you weak at the knees, then you'll likely need to stump up between $2.85m to $3.25m (£2.25-2.6m) for the privilege of owning it.

Is this £5m Ferrari collection the best you’ll see this year?

Is this £5m Ferrari collection the best you’ll see this year?
Is this £5m Ferrari collection the best you’ll see this year?

Clockwise from top: Ferrari F40; Ferrari 308GTSi; Ferrari 512BBi

Fortunately, the F40 is slightly cheaper: this one comes with a $1.5-1.8m (£1.2-1.43m) estimate and by comparison with the FXX has been driven extensively, to the tune of 1705 miles.

A two-owner vehicle, it joined the Ming collection 20 years ago and has Ferrari Classiche Certification to confirm its fully matching-numbers status.

Remarkably, the other five cars are being offered for sale with no reserve. We’re particularly taken with the 1984 Ferrari 512BBi, which has just 2500 miles on the clock and an estimate of $350-425k (£280-£335k) – although with no reserve price set, it could go for less. 

The Ferrari 308GTSi, meanwhile, has covered 4000 miles and has an estimate of $100-150k (£80-120k).

Is this £5m Ferrari collection the best you’ll see this year?

Is this £5m Ferrari collection the best you’ll see this year?
Is this £5m Ferrari collection the best you’ll see this year?

Clockwise from top: Ferrari F430 Spider F1; Ferrari 355 Spider; Ferrari 458 Spider

Rounding out the collection are a custom-ordered 2007 Ferrari F430 Spider F1 with tan interior ($200-250k), a 2013 Ferrari 458 Spider fitted with a host of desirable custom options ($225-275k) and a 1997 Ferrari 355 Spider with just 704 miles on the clock ($125-150k). 

“The quality and originality of the Ming Collection is absolutely incredible,” said Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions at RM Sotheby’s.

“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. You’d be hard-pressed to find any of these models in better condition.

“Ferrari FXX models rarely come up for auction, and it is an especially rare opportunity to find one that has never been raced yet has been so well cared for.”

Of course these Ferraris are far from the only special cars at what looks like being a particularly special Monterey auction for RM Sotheby’s.

The sale, which takes place from 15-17 August, also includes the oldest machine to wear the Porsche name – a 1939 Porsche Type 64 – an original James Bond Aston Martin DB5, and many other classics. Expect to see plenty more announced as we approach the sale date.  

Images: Karissa Hosek/RM Sotheby’s

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