Shelby's Ferrari 410 Sport Spider up for auction: a million-dollar treasure

Shelby's Ferrari 410 Sport Spider up for auction: a million-dollar treasure

On Saturday, August 17, during the highlight event of the Monterey Car Week, RM Sotheby's will auction one of the most legendary cars in automotive history: the 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider Scaglietti.

This unique example, highly coveted by collectors worldwide, represents a true symbol of the golden era of Ferrari racing in the 1950s.

A project born from Enzo Ferrari’s determination

The Ferrari 410 Sport was born from Enzo Ferrari’s determination to win the 1955 World Sportscar Championship. The 410 Sport, with its wide and low tubular chassis and a powerful 4,961 cc V12 engine, was initially designed to compete in the Carrera Panamericana. Only four examples were built, numbered 0592 CM, 0594 CM, 0596 CM, and 0598 CM. Among these, chassis 0592 CM, which will be auctioned, is considered the initial development prototype that laid the foundation for the Scuderia Ferrari’s future successes.

A history of successes and ownership changes

After its development in Maranello, chassis 0592 CM was purchased by Tony Parravano, a VIP Ferrari client and a prominent figure in the American West Coast racing scene. With Carroll Shelby behind the wheel, this car won the 1956 Palm Springs Road Races, marking the first of a series of triumphs. After Parravano’s mysterious disappearance in 1960, the 410 Sport changed hands several times, ending up in significant Ferrari collections in Germany and the United States.

In 2017, the car underwent a complete restoration by Ferrari specialists, shining again at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Besides its racing successes, chassis 0592 CM boasts the feature of “matching numbers,” with engine and chassis numbers corresponding, a detail that further increases its collectible value.

A staggering price

The auction estimates that the 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider Scaglietti could reach figures exceeding $15 million, making it one of the most expensive cars ever sold. The rarity and historical importance of this vehicle, combined with its impeccable condition, predict a heated auction among collectors.

This Ferrari 410 Sport Spider is not just a race car but a piece of automotive history, a testament to an era where determination and ingenuity led to the creation of true masterpieces on four wheels.

Photo (by Sicnag) licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.