A matching-numbers 1950 Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta that participated twice in the Mille Miglia is on offer at the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2017 sale.
RM Sotheby’s revealed its final highlight for the forthcoming Amelia Island 2017 sale: an exceptionally pure, matching-numbers 1950 Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta, chassis no. 0058 M. The Ferrari participated twice in the Mille Miglia race in Italy in the 1950s. The car is in concourse condition and has been displayed five times as Pebble Beach and multiple Platinum awards at the Cavallino Classic, FCA National Meet and Concorso Italiano. As a confirmation of the quality of cars RM Sotheby’s will offer at the Amelia Island 2017 sale, this Ferrari is likely to be only the third most-expensive car in the auction despite a pre-sale estimate of $8,000,000-$10,000,000.
RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island Sale 2017
RM Sotheby’s, the official auction house of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, will return for the 19th year to Amelia Island, Florida, for a classic car sale on 10 and 11 March 2017. In contrast to previous years, a second sales day has been added to the auction during which nearly 60 cars from the Orin Smith collection will be sold. Around 80 cars will be on offer in the regular auction.
In 2016, RM Sotheby’s earned $38.6 million with a high sell-through rate of 89%. In 2015, RM Sotheby’s earned $60 million at Amelia Island with a remarkably high 98% sell-through rate.
1950 Ferrari 166 MM
The 1950 Ferrari 166 MM, chassis no. 0058 M, (Est. $8,000,000-$10,000,000) comes to market an exemplary example of the model, and one of the most important and beautiful Ferraris ever built.
The 27th of just 32 166 MM examples, and the 23rd of only 25 Touring barchettas, it was delivered to its first owner of record in June 1950, before being gifted to future Scuderia Ferrari racing driver, Eugenio Castelotti, who would race the car at many of the leading events throughout Italy, including the Mille Miglia in 1951. Chassis 0058 M returned to the Mille Miglia in 1953 before being exported to the United States where it continued its racing pursuits, including at the Pebble Beach Road Races.
In addition to its competition pedigree, 0058 M boasts a distinguished ownership record, having been carefully maintained by some of the hobby’s most discerning collectors, including more than two decades with respected Ferrari Club of America Chief Judge, Ed Gilbertson. During his custodianship, Gilbertson actively enjoyed the car, presenting it at a string of FCA events to great acclaim.
Over the years, 0058 M has also enjoyed a decorated concours career, including no less than five appearances at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where in 1979, it was awarded the coveted Hans Tanner Trophy. Testament to its incredible originality, it has also garnered multiple Platinum awards at the Cavallino Classic, FCA National Meet and Concorso Italiano.
Beyond its provenance, 0058 M’s extreme desirability lies in its incredible purity and authenticity. Extraordinarily original, it is matching numbers throughout, including its original Touring body, V-12 engine, gearbox and differential, and comes to Amelia Island complete with the all-important Ferrari Classiche certification.
RM Sotheby’s on the 1950 Ferrari 166 MM
“The 166 MM is, unequivocally, one of the most important sports cars ever constructed; it is essentially the cornerstone on which Ferrari built their successful formula, or if you like, the padrino of all the short-block based competition cars that followed, from the 195 and 212 Exports to the 225 S, the 250 GT Tour de France and Testa Rossa. As such, its significance in the marque’s history cannot be overstated,” says Shelby Myers, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s.
“In the rarefied air that is Ferrari’s 166 MM, 0058 M is one of the best of the very best,” adds Myers. “It possesses all of the critical attributes a collector wants in a Ferrari sports racer: rarity, period racing history in Italy and the U.S., a high level of originality, as well as a successful show career. A very special car and extremely eligible for the world’s top concours and driving events, we’re thrilled to bring it to market in Amelia Island.”
Gooding sold two Ferrari 166 MM berlinettas in 2016 for $5.5 and $6.5 million. A barchetta sold for $3.5 million at the Artcurial Paris 2014 sale.
More on Amelia Island 2017
- The Annual Amelia Island Auctions & Concourse d’Elegance
- 2017 Amelia Island Auctions Previews: Bonhams, Gooding, RM Sotheby’s
- 2017 Amelia Island Auction Press Announcements: RM Sotheby’s (Bugatti Type 57S Cabriolet, Ferrari 250 GTB SWB Berlinetta, Orin Smith Collection, Bentley Le Mans, Ferrari 166 MM), Gooding (Jaguar XKSS, Racing Cars, Porsche Supercars, McLaren P1, Aston Martins)
- 2016 Amelia Island Auction Results Overview
