Marketing Manager - Bridge Classic Cars
RM Sotheby’s have recently announced that a once-in-a-generation collection of “barn find” Ferraris will be going to auction on 17th August 2023. The 20 Ferraris, which have been named “The Lost & Found Collection“, will be going under the hammer during Monterey Car Week held in Monterey, California.
Untouched for decades, the incredible group of Ferraris has been tucked up in a secure warehouse in downtown Speedway, Indiana since 2004. It seems somewhat fitting that cars of this pedigree have still been within touching distance of an icon of motor racing (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) despite being out of sight from collectors, restorers, and the general public.
A warehouse with 20 Ferraris inside is no doubt an impressive sight to behold. However, you’d be forgiven for not instantly recognising that some of these machines have been involved in some of the world’s most famous races such as Le Mans, the Targa Florio, and the Mille Miglia. Equally, it wouldn’t be immediately obvious that a Ferrari formerly owned by royalty has sat in a warehouse not getting the time and attention it so rightfully deserves.
Perhaps, the most pressing question is simply how did these 20 vintage Ferraris end up in an Indiana warehouse left to gather dust in the first place?
Hurricane Charley
Back in 2004, Hurricane Charley caused massive destruction along the coast of Florida. It was during the storm that this stunning collection of Ferraris first came into sight, after the barn they were stored in since 1990 partially collapsed. It was at this point that they were very carefully moved and placed in the warehouse in Indiana which is where they have been ever since.
The Lost & Found Collection is expected to attract car enthusiasts from all walks of life. In what must be the ultimate dream for any collector, this ultimate “barn find” will certainly generate lots of attention from potential buyers.
Rob Myers, the man behind RM Sotheby’s said:
“While a select group of Ferrari collectors knew about the existence of these extraordinary cars, the rest of the world remained unaware. This represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for enthusiasts to acquire these iconic Ferraris, some of which have participated in renowned races. Most of these lost Ferraris remain untouched, preserving their purity and original condition since the day they were acquired—a true embodiment of the ‘barn find’ concept. It is the first time that RM Sotheby’s has presented a barn find collection of this magnitude to the market.”
The Lost & Found Collection
The Lost & Found Collection includes some very special vehicles including:
1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale by Pinin Farina – One of four 250 GT Coupes built by Pinin Farina in 1956 with Superamerica-style coachwork, this car was sold brand new by the factory to its first owner, King Mohamed V of Morocco. Traces of its breathtaking original colour combination of Celeste with a Nero roof over a Naturale Connoly leather interior, as well as the presence of its numbers-matching V-12, make this Speciale a tantalizing restoration candidate Estimate: $1,700,000 – $2,300,000 (approx £1.3 – £1.8 million)
1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy by Scaglietti – Making its debut on the Ferrari stand at the XLVII Torino Motor Show, this 275 GTB participated in the 1966 Targa Florio with Luciano Conti (publisher of Italy’s Autosprint magazine) and co-driver Vittorio Venturi. Notably, this was the first “long-nose” 275 GTB to be fitted with a low-weight alloy body and six carburettors. Estimate: $2,000,000 – $2,500,000 (approx £1.6 – £1.9 million)
1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider Series I by Pinin Farina – If an automobile could talk, the weathered chassis of this Ferrari 500 Mondial would have an incredible story to tell—in no small part because it has the most extensive racing history of the 20 cars offered. Originally clothed in Pinin Farina Spider coachwork, it was sold new to Scuderia Guastalla principal Franco Cornacchia for the use of ex-Scuderia Ferrari driver Franco Cortese. Significantly, Cortese and co-driver Perruchini achieved 4th in class (14th overall) at the 1954 Mille Miglia. Subsequently rebodied by Scaglietti, further notable races include a Benzoni-Naust effort at the 1956 Targa Florio. Estimate: $1,200,000 – $1,600,000 (approx £944,00 – £1.2 million)
1978 Ferrari 512 BB Competizione – This Ferrari 512 BB Competizione is one of three factory-specified examples prepared for the 1978 24 Hours of Le Mans. Entered by Luigi Chinetti Sr./ NART as race #87 and driven by Jacques Guérin, Jean-Pierre Delaunay, and Gregg Young, the car managed an impressive showing, completing over 19 hours and 232 laps before retirement. Appearing largely as it did when it left the Circuit de la Sarthe, this Ferrari boasts a short ownership chain of just two private caretakers. Estimate: $1,800,000 – $2,800,000 (approx £1.4 – 2.2 million)
Darin Schnabel ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Darin Schnabel ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Darin Schnabel ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Darin Schnabel ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
The full Lost & Found Collection
1978 Ferrari 512 BB Competizione
1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy by Scaglietti
1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale by Pinin Farina
1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupe Series I by Pinin Farina
1967 Ferrari 330 GTS by Pininfarina
1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider Series I by Pinin Farina
1965 Ferrari 275 GTS by Pininfarina
1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso by Scaglietti
1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta by Scaglietti
1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta by Scaglietti
1968 Ferrari Dino 206 GT by Scaglietti
1960 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Series II by Pinin Farina
1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 by Pininfarina
1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series II by Pininfarina
1976 Ferrari 308 GTB ‘Vetroresina’ by Scaglietti
1969 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 by Pininfarina
1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series I ‘Interim’ by Pininfarina
1980 Ferrari 512 BB
1991 Ferrari Testarossa
1977 Ferrari 400 Automatic
