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RM's new Ferrari-only sale at Maranello: the K500 opinion

RM's new Ferrari-only sale at Maranello: the K500 opinion 5th June 2017

A decade on from their first auction at the Ferrari factory, the Canadians return to Maranello this September with the modest aim of creating ‘the most significant single-marque sale in collector car auction history’.
 
Held less than a month after Monterey Week, that’s going to be quite a challenge. It also presents potential vendors with a tricky dilemma. Should a high-roller consign his 250 GT SWB, California Spider or 250 TR to a sale at what has always been the epicentre of the car-collecting world, or take the risk of waiting a few weeks for a European auction at the spiritual home of the marque?
 
You can’t fault RM’s peerless organisation or presentation, but – ‘no reserve’ madness in Milan last November aside – neither last year’s sale at the Monaco Historics, nor Villa Erba just days ago, delivered the hoped-for fireworks. What’s changed?
 
After Sotheby’s (now a major shareholder in RM) bombed going solo at Maranello in 2005, it took the might of Rob Myers’ team to really crack it at the Ferrari factory from 2007 to 2009. Highlights included the ex-James Coburn Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider (pictured, top) selling for an unbelievable €7,040,000 (then $10.9m) in 2008. A year later a 1957 250 Testa Rossa achieved a solid €9,020,000, the equivalent of $12.18m. The inaugural sale grossed €33.44m and sold 97% by number.
 
The 2017 auction will be held in conjunction with Ferrari’s 70th anniversary celebrations and the weekend clashes with both the Goodwood Revival and Chantilly Arts & Elegance. Bonhams conducts sales at both events. With due respect to the Brits, though, the question will be whether collectors of high enough standing are willing to forgo two top-class events in order to attend just an auction and associated Ferrari-only activities.
 
We'll bring you all the twists and turns live from the three events. The Maranello sale will ‘feature some of the most valuable and sought-after Ferraris on the planet’. Which begs the question: have they found Ferraris on other worlds?
 
RM Auctions at Maranello 2007 –  2008 – 2009 overview (motor cars only):
 
2007

 
Gross: €33,440,000
Total number of cars: 33
Number not sold: 1
Number sold: 32
Percentage sold by number: 97%
Average price per car: €1,045,000
Average year of cars offered: 1976
 
2008  
 
Gross: €28,073,500
Total number of cars: 45
Number not sold: 11
Number sold: 34
Percentage sold by number: 76%
Average price per car: €825,691
Average year of cars offered: 1978
 
2009  
 
Gross: €20,677,000
Total number of cars: 36
Number not sold: 9
Number sold: 27
Percentage sold by number: 75%
Average price per car: €765,815
Average year of cars offered: 1969
 
Photo by Thomas