These blue-chip Ferraris from RM Sotheby’s are Monterey market indicators

The market for classic cars is best judged after the major summer sales in California during Monterey Car Week. The focus of interest for many collectors and analysts will be blue-chip Ferraris, several of which can be found in the catalogue for the RM Sotheby’s sale…

Record or slump?

Is there a better place to sell a classic Ferrari than Monterey in August? Each year, new record prices are achieved during the Monterey Car Week, and RM Sotheby’s is looking to continue the trend with its ensemble of Prancing Horses at this year’s sale. The star of the Italian contingent – and in accordance with the location of the auction – is the 11th Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider built, with bodywork by Scaglietti. The estimate has not been disclosed, though we’re curious to see where the auction house has pitched it given the current state of the market.

Boasting Mille Miglia and Tour de France history, the 1956 Ferrari 250 GT ‘Tour de France’ is estimated to garner 7-9m US dollars. And there are other cars that wrote motorsport history: a 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spider, which was driven by American racing legends such as Phil Hill and Carroll Shelby (est. 4-5.5m dollars), and a Ferrari 268 SP that participated at Le Mans in 1962.

Italian elegance at its best

Collectors will also be bearing in mind that the stunning Pininfarina-bodied Ferrari 212 Europa Coupé starred at both the Geneva and Turin motor shows, and was the first Ferrari to clear 100 points at Pebble Beach. Another of our favourites is the beautifully preserved Ferrari 275 GTB, resplendent in a beguiling shade of silver and featuring ‘Pelle Rossa’ upholstery. Those people who think of values and investment before those sensational curves have no heart!