One of the most exclusive Ferraris ever produced will be offered by Auctions America on Saturday, June 25 at its Santa Monica Collector Car Auction where expected to fetch $1,8 – $2,1 million. This car, chassis number 104794, was completed by the factory in December 1995, finished in Rosso Corsa (FER 300/12 DS) over Nero (VM 8500), with contrasting red cloth inserts. It is one of only 55 US specification examples produced by the factory. The car was sold new in Texas, and in 1999 was acquired by its second owner, a noted collector in the Pacific North West, with a reported mileage of 1,448. The car remained with the second owner for 12 years, with Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo entrusted for all maintenance and major service work, including replacement of the fuel bladders in 2011, as well as refinishing and replacing all “sticky” interior trim, a ubiquitous problem on Ferraris of this vintage.
The current owner, a noted Ferrari collector himself, acquired this car from the second owner in 2011, contributing a scant 100 miles per year since purchase, and maintaining the exceptional condition through a continued regimen of service at Ferrari of Ontario. Though the fuel bladders were good through 2018, the current owner took initiative to have them replaced in 2014, ensuring worry free operation until 2024. The paint and interior are both in fine original condition, as evidenced by the full Classiche Certification and Red Book received in February of this year.
Chassis number 104794 received a service including all fluids in April 2016, and was given a clean bill of health from the lead technician. The car is accompanied by invoices going back to 1999, as well as original road cases, the car’s matching red hardtop, roll bars, black soft-top, Ferrari car cover, a pair of very rare original F50 driving shoes, factory-fitted luggage, both tool kits, wheel socket, owner’s manuals, and of course the Ferrari Classiche Red Book.
The car has been reimported into the US with all duties paid and can be registered in all 50 states.
The F50, lauded as the last great proper six-speed manual Ferrari supercar, has very few peers, combining Formula One-inspired innovation and technology with a road car platform. With only 349 examples produced, the F50 is already a part of the most rare and legendary tier of Ferrari road cars – the fact that this car is one of only 55 original US examples elevates it to a higher level still, and makes chassis number 104794 one of the most exclusive Ferraris of all time, certainly of the modern era.