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McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 06, 2021

RM Sotheby’s Guikas Collection: 2006 Ferrari F430 GTC

Presented by RM Sotheby's - Manufactured by Ferrari Corse Clienti department alongside Michelotto Automobili from 2006 to 2010, the Ferrari F430 GTC was the most advanced racing derivative of the F430. The GTC was designed to compete in the international GT2 class in events such as the FIA GT Championship, Europe’s Le Mans Series, and the American Le Mans Series. Several F430 GTCs, including this example, competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Due to FIA GT2 requirements on weight and engine displacement, Ferrari changed the cranks on their 4.3-liter V-8 that was fitted to the F430 to create this car. This brought the displacement down to 3,994.5 cubic centimeters, allowing the F430 GTC to compete in the 3.8- to 4.0-liter class, with a minimum weight of 1,100 kilograms. This revised V-8 produced 439 horsepower and increased the minimum weight of an F430 by 50 kilograms; the weight gain was offset by the F430 GTC’s overall reduced weight, ultimately resulting in an improved power-to-weight ratio. In general, Ferrari’s F430 GTC proved to be a highly competitive car, winning its class championships in the American Le Mans Series and the FIA GT. GTCs scored class wins at the 2007, 2009, and 2010 12 Hours of Sebring and at the 2008 and 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans. This GTC was delivered new in 2006 to its first owner, JMB Racing, based in Monaco. Between 2006 to 2011, this example would race 36 times in the GT2 class, and also compete at the 2008 edition of 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it achieved a strong 4th in class, and the 2009 24 Hours of Spa. Other notable results included 2nd in class at Interlagos in November 2007, 2nd at the International Open GT in Barcelona in October 2010, followed by a 3rd place in race one at the International GT Open Imola in May 2011. This car received many of the GTC revisions introduced in 2009, such as air conditioning, suspension, engine brackets, traction control, electronic power steering, launch control, removable rear fender, and a revised radiator air intake. In addition to these upgrades, this F430 GTC is currently fitted with a Step 5 engine and exhaust. The car is offered with a spare engine, exhaust, and additional spare parts. Today, the car is finished in metallic blue with 24 Hours of Le Mans 2008 livery, underwent a component crack test in 2018 and comes with Ferrari Classiche certification. RM Sotheby’s will present this vehicle as part of a single-owner collection comprised of 75 of the finest racing and road cars in the world, offered entirely without reserve. The Guikas Collection, to be sold at Paul Ricard Circuit in France in November 2021, presents pedigrees spanning from the endurance racing of the 24 Hours of the Le Mans to the world stage of Formula One and nearly everything in between. The collection of race cars will provide modern racing enthusiasts an introduction into virtually all vintage racing series worldwide, including GT and road cars that are equally impressive which offer a wide selection of Pre- and Post War sports cars. View Listing

By Edward Jones – August 10, 2021

RM Sotheby’s Presents The Fox Collection: 2015 Ferrari La...

Presented by RM Sotheby's - The LaFerrari debuted at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show as Ferrari’s successor to the Enzo, but in positioning only. Wedged behind its passenger compartment sits the FXX project’s 6.3-liter V-12 engine aided by a Formula 1-derived, 161-horsepower kinetic energy recovery system, or KERS. However, the LaFerrari’s KERS system was actually more advanced than that allowed at the time by the FIA. As such, the LaFerrari is a hybrid rated at a combined 949 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. That explosive power is delivered to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which helps the hypercar scream toward its 9,250 redline as it races to 100 mph in just 4.8 seconds before hitting a top speed in excess of 217 mph. Wrapped around the mild-hybrid powertrain is an F1-grade carbon fiber monocoque structure that is nearly 30 percent more rigid than that used in the Enzo. Brembo-supplied carbon-ceramic disc brakes that tie into the regenerative system sit behind staggered 19-inch and 20-inch Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tires made from a Ferrari-specific compound to make the most of the massive underhood power. The LaFerrari’s hyper-modern lines come from Flavio Manzoni within Ferrari’s in-house design department. The car’s silhouette echoes the Enzo, but its lines are more organic and graceful. Just 499 LaFerraris coupes were built. The LaFerrari is a vehicle that demands respect due to its mind-bending performance, but one that can be driven and enjoyed frequently. It is considered by many a break in Ferrari tradition in that the powerplant is not only extremely powerful, boasting that aforementioned total output from both its 6.3-liter V-12 engine and electric motor for a combined output of 949 brake horsepower—but it also reduces the car’s carbon footprint noticeably. Contemporary magazine road tests indicate full acceleration to 62 mph in less than three seconds. The 124 mph mark arrives in less than seven seconds, and the 186 mph mark in 15 seconds! Keep accelerating, and the LaFerrari will accelerate to a top speed of over 217 mph. This 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari is finished in Rosso Corsa over a black and red leather interior with Alcantara. It was delivered new to Ferrari of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. The LaFerrari was optioned with carbon fiber fog lamp, carbon fiber mirrors holder, carbon fiber lower parts, horse-stitched headrest, sport exhaust pipes, and special features. All in all, the suggested retail price when new was $1,451,878. This example has covered just 787 miles from new at time of cataloguing, and it is accompanied by a copy of its window sticker and its charger. Ferrari’s first foray into the hybrid market, the LaFerrari has quickly solidified itself in the upper echelon of modern supercars. With its striking design and breathtaking performance, the LaFerrai is destined to be celebrated for years to come. With minimal production runs and maximized performance, the Fox Collection is filled with supercar selections that truly stand out from their contemporaries, with a combination of uncommon specifications, low mileages, and outstanding color combinations. The Fox Collection will be offered entirely without reserve at RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale, taking place 12-14 August 2021. View Listing

By Edward Jones – August 07, 2021

Mecum Monterey 2021: 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari

Presented by Mecum Auctions - Unveiled to the world at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the boldly named LaFerrari, translated as “The Ferrari,” was described by Ferrari President Luca Di Montezemolo as “… the expression of what defines our company.” Following in the hallowed lineage of the 288 GTO, F40, F50 and Enzo, the LaFerrari immediately lived up to its provocative model name as Ferrari’s most advanced road car at introduction and well beyond. Built around an FIA prototype-worthy, arrowhead-shaped carbon-fiber tub main structure, the LaFerrari features a lower ride height and center of gravity than even the radical Enzo preceding it, with an F1 cockpit-style seating position and sills built into the front-hinged, scissor-type doors. Breaking from tradition, bodywork for the LaFerrari was not the work of an external design house/coachbuilder, but rather the work of an in-house design team at Ferrari headed by Flavio Manzoni. While certainly attractive, the purposefully aggressive body of the LaFerrari features a “form following function” approach while paying homage to some of Ferrari’s most successful racing cars leading up to LaFerrari. Powering the LaFerrari is a stunning hybrid powertrain delivering 950 HP and quite possibly eclipsing Ferrari’s then-current F14 T Formula 1 racing car by about 200 HP. LaFerrari power-to-weight is a mind-bending 3.7 pounds-per-HP ratio. Dubbed HY-KERS, the LaFerrari Hybrid Kinetic Energy Recovery System powertrain features a 6.3L/789 HP DOHC, 48-valve V-12 engine at its core, equipped with variable-length intake runners, 13.5:1 compression and a 9,250 RPM redline. An oil-cooled electric motor resides at the rear of the 7-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission and delivers an additional 161 HP. A low-mounted, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack stores power and serves as a stressed structural member behind the passenger compartment. Electronic controls activate the electric motor, which essentially provides a kind of boost, filling in the lower rev ranges of the howling V-12 piston powerplant for near-instantaneous throttle response and a shockingly visceral, gut-wrenching experience for the driver and passenger. Obviously, LaFerrari performance is stunning, nay, ridiculous, with the 0-60 MPH dash completed in 2.5 seconds, 0-100 MPH in 4.8 seconds and the quarter-mile in a dragster-worthy 9.8 seconds at 149 MPH through the traps. Given sufficient space, top speed is a factory-claimed 217 MPH. Helping to harness its staggering performance, the LaFerrari body bristles with amazing active and passive aerodynamic features delivering the required engine cooling and maximizing performance with massive downforce, including a large adjustable spoiler and movable diffuser flaps. Other race-derived systems include stability control and performance anti-blockage/electronic brake balance. An F1-type electronic traction control system is integrated with the hybrid powertrain system and third-generation electronic differential for incredible response to driver inputs. Maximum road contact is delivered by Ferrari’s magnetorheological damping system with twin solenoids, and track-worthy adhesion is achieved via a set of extreme-performance Pirelli P-Zero tires surrounding 19-inch front and 20-inch rear forged aluminum wheels. According to published road tests, the LaFerrari generates up to 1.16 G lateral acceleration on the skidpad and requires just 136 feet to stop from 70 MPH. Two LaFerrari variants were sold: the coupe, with 500 produced in 2013-2016, and the Aperta convertible, 210 of which were built in 2016-18. Stunning in Rosso Corsa (Competition Red) over Nero (Black) leather upholstery with red piping and stitched Ferrari Cavallino Rampante accents, this 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari is virtually as-new with only 131 miles on the clock. Other accents include Scuderia Ferrari front-fender shields, carbon fiber dash trim and red calipers for the cross-drilled and vented Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes. Creature comforts include an adjustable steering wheel and pedal box, reconfigurable digital instrument panel and both main and secondary controls for audio, navigation, climate and telemetry systems. Creating a sensation from the introduction and generating frenzied orders and deposit checks from hopeful buyers, the LaFerrari created an instant legend among Ferrari owners and collectors, one that will continue well into the future. Offered with incredibly low mileage, this Rosso Corsa LaFerrari offers an incredible opportunity to experience the design and engineering prowess that has firmly kept Ferrari at the forefront of motorsports since its inception. This 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari will be auctioned off during Mecum Auctions’ Monterey 2021 event, which runs August 12 to 14. View Online Listing

By Edward Jones – August 06, 2021

RM Sotheby’s Presents The Fox Collection: 2003 Ferrari Enzo

Presented by RM Sotheby's - Ferrari releases a new range-topping supercar only occasionally, and it is always an event eagerly anticipated by the world’s tifosi—whether or not they have the means to acquire an example themselves. To say that expectations for the Ferrari Enzo were high, then, would be quite an understatement: Not only did the supercar follow in the footsteps of the landmark F40 and the thrilling F50, it was also to be named after Il Commendatore himself. In fact, the automaker bucked the model naming conventions by officially referring to the car as the “Enzo Ferrari,” rather than expected and popularly used “Ferrari Enzo,” further emphasizing the car’s status as tribute to the company’s founder. Stylistically, the Pininfarina-designed Enzo was a drastic departure from the cars that came before. From nose to tail, form was a secondary consideration to function to allow for an unrivaled driving experience. Nevertheless, Pininfarina did a fantastic job in sculpting the company’s namesake with enduring presence to match its exceptional performance. Gone was the massive rear wing that defined both the F40 and the F50, replaced by just a small speed-activated spoiler at the rear and aided by improved aerodynamics throughout. The protruding nose was a styling cue taken from Ferrari’s contemporary Formula 1 race cars and sought to highlight the Enzo’s use of race-inspired technology. Inside, there were few creature comforts, aside from the requisite leather-trimmed carbon-fiber bucket seats and air-conditioning, in order to keep the car as lightweight and focused as possible. All Rights Reserved All Rights Reserved In terms of powertrain, it was also a step into the future for Ferrari: Although the Enzo used a mid-mounted naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V-12 (producing 651 horsepower and with an 8,200 rpm redline), the F50’s manual transmission was traded for a six-speed “F1” automated manual gearbox operated via paddle shifters. In keeping with its rich tradition of limited-production supercars, however, the Enzo would be produced in limited numbers as well. By the end of production, just 399 examples were built, with an additional car built especially for Pope John Paul II, leaving total production at 400. CHASSIS NUMBER 133118 Given the model’s exclusivity, to say nothing of its price, it is hardly surprising that Enzos tended to be ordered by illustrious individuals; chassis 133118 is certainly no exception. Purchased new by developer and casino mogul Steve Wynn, it is notably one of only two examples of the model finished in Nero over Cuoio. Under Wynn’s ownership, the car was displayed at the Penske Wynn Ferrari dealership following the opening of the Wynn Las Vegas resort in 2005. In addition to serving as a sales outlet for premier performance automobiles, the dealership was a popular draw for resort guests, who paid admission to see this very car and others. Unlike the majority of vehicles on display, however, Wynn’s Enzo was not officially said to be for sale—rather it was, quite understandably, an attraction in its own right. By December 2005, the car had been sold to its second owner via Ferrari of Orange County, California (today known as Ferrari & Maserati of Newport Beach). The car, which had been driven fewer than 400 miles at that time, soon had paint protective film applied to its major exterior surfaces. Although the protective film was recently removed, it no doubt provided great protection to the car’s rich Nero exterior finish. All Rights Reserved Today, the car records fewer than 17,540 miles from new. The bulk of these were accrued during the stewardship of its second owner, who clearly enjoyed driving the Enzo—but was equally dedicated to its proper care. Copies of invoices on file from Ferrari of Denver indicate regular service and inspection, adjustment and replacement of wear items, and close attention paid to even the smallest of fit and finish items. This care continued during the car’s tenure in the Fox Collection, with nearly $4,000 of service and inspection work performed following the consignor’s acquisition. In the quest for cutting-edge performance, Ferrari is always moving forward. The Enzo’s successor, the LaFerrari, introduced electrification to its powertrain; it seems likely that Ferrari will continue to rely on that technology as emissions regulations tighten, making the Enzo’s pure, unassisted, naturally aspirated V-12 likely to be the last of its kind. Of course, it is also an enticing, high-performance by the standards of any era—as is only to be expected for a model named after Ferrari’s founder. Accompanied by its Ferrari Classiche Red Book, as well as its owners’ manuals and flashlight in a leather pouch, and tools, this stunning, incredibly preserved example in an exceedingly rare color combination is fully deserving of a place of honor in any collection of Ferraris or significant modern sports cars. With minimal production runs and maximized performance, the Fox Collection is filled with supercar selections that truly stand out from their contemporaries, with a combination of uncommon specifications, low mileages, and outstanding color combinations. The Fox Collection will be offered entirely without reserve at RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale, taking place 12-14 August 2021. View Listing

By Edward Jones – August 05, 2021

RM Sotheby’s Presents The Fox Collection: 1995 Ferrari F5...

Presented by RM Sotheby's - The Ferrari F512 M, or “Modificata,” was launched in 1994 as the final version of the legendary Testarossa. Ultimately, it was to be the last flat-12-powered Ferrari produced, and in an effort to create a definitive final iteration, Ferrari improved all aspects of the model with particular attention paid to the chassis, engine and cosmetics. Numerous internal engine upgrades, including titanium rods and other lightened components, this along with increased compression helped bump engine output to 440 brake horsepower, a jump of 60 from the Testarossa’s 380 brake horsepower. Engine modifications, coupled with refinements such as a new stainless exhaust, updated suspension, and a new Bosch ABS braking system, all combined to offer more power and better handling assisted by a near 50:50 weight distribution. Styling cues enhancing the 512 M’s design include a unique set of taillights, three-piece alloy wheels, and a completely revised front fascia which combined the striking lines of the F40 and 512 BB/LM. These improvements resulted in impressive performance figures of 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 195 mph, figures quite close to the F40. In total, just 501 F512 M examples were manufactured for worldwide distribution, making it one of the rarest road-going models of Luca di Montezemolo's reign at Ferrari. SERIAL NO. 20 The F512 M offered here is serial number 20 of 75 examples produced for the United States market, and was sold new to actor Lorenzo Lamas on 16 October 1996 via Ferrari of Beverly Hills. Presented wearing the traditional combination of Rosso Corsa over beige leather, this highly original F512 M has traveled just under 14,500 miles since new. After initial acquisition by Lamas, serial no. 20 was later retained by a pair of subsequent owners in Southern California, at least until 2005. In June 2009, this F512 M appears within the inventory of Algar Ferrari of Philadelphia, then showing approximately 8,000 miles. Algar sold the car to a Florida-based collector in October 2010, where it remained under their careful custodianship until May 2015, then showing approximately 13,000 miles. In January 2015, this F512 M was exhibited at Cavallino XXIV in Palm Beach, Florida, where it won both a Platinum Award and the Modern Preservation Cup. Shortly thereafter, it was successfully submitted to Ferrari Classiche and certified as retaining its matching-numbers engine and gearbox. Six years on, this rarified F512 M shows just under 14,475 miles at the time of cataloguing. Offered from the Fox Collection, this award-winning example is now accompanied by its matching Schedoni luggage, in addition to its owner’s manuals and Ferrari Classiche Red Book. The most potent and refined iteration of the Testarossa platform is the F512 M, and it is truly an incredible automobile. A quantum leap forward over the Testarossa of 1984, it represents the end of an era for Ferrari. With more and more technology being added to today’s supercars, analog examples have become increasingly desirable among collectors, and this rare Ferrari F512 M is no exception. With minimal production runs and maximized performance, the Fox Collection is filled with supercar selections that truly stand out from their contemporaries, with a combination of uncommon specifications, low mileages, and outstanding color combinations. The Fox Collection will be offered entirely without reserve at RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale, taking place 12-14 August 2021. View Listing

By Edward Jones – August 04, 2021

Mecum Monterey 2021: 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta...

Presented by Mecum Auctions - Rightly considered one of the most beautiful Sports/GT automobiles ever created, the 250 GT/L Berlinetta Scaglietti was, and remains, one of the most sought-after classic V-12 Ferrari models. According to Ferrari marque experts, just 350 were produced in 1963-64, yet it was the most successful road-car of its era from Maranello. It was also the 14th and final model from Ferrari with the revered “250 GT” model designation. The “Lusso” also helped generate the necessary cashflow for Enzo Ferrari’s far-flung racing commitments and continued to build the company’s staunch following among the wealthiest and most demanding motorists of the time. Featuring beautiful styling by Pininfarina and bodied by the renowned craftsmen at Scaglietti, who normally graced Ferrari’s racing cars with their artistry, the 250 GT/L continues to seduce all onlookers today. Aerodynamic efficiency matched its beauty, with an aero-efficient Kamm tail and discreet, built-in rear spoiler adding much-needed downforce. While mostly of steel body construction, the 250 GT/L did utilize lightweight aluminum panels for the doors, hood and trunk lid. Unknown to many Ferrari enthusiasts, the Lusso’s 2,400 mm tubular chassis and 3.0L engine were closely related to those employed by Ferrari’s legendary 250 GT SWB and 250 GTO competition cars. Its Gioacchino Colombo-designed, 60-degree SOHC V-12 was only somewhat detuned for road use, with triple, as opposed to six, Weber twin-choke carburetors and lower compression. As installed in the Lusso, this engine was mated to a 4-speed gearbox and quoted at 240-250 HP at 7,000 RPM. Performance was excellent as expected, with 140 MPH or more on tap. Bearing Serial No. 4513 GT, this vehicle is the 57th of 350 built by Carrozzeria Scaglietti and designed by Pininfarina. It was delivered new in July 1963 to official Ferrari Dealer Garage de Montchoisy SA of Geneva, Switzerland and eventually formed part of the Matsuda Collection in Japan. Documentation is outstanding with a Marcel Massini history report and Ferrari Classiche Certification with the “Red Book” in hand. In 2003, the Lusso was displayed at Concorso Italiano in Seaside, California. The 3.0L Colombo V-12 engine is correct, albeit sourced from 4467 GT, and it features the requisite triple Weber twin-choke carburetors, 4-speed manual gearbox, 4-wheel disc brakes and Borrani wire-spoke wheels. Freshly serviced by the marque experts at Boston Sportscar, this beautiful and rare V-12 Ferrari model is perennially collectible and always desirable. This 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta Scaglietti will be auctioned off during Mecum Auctions’ Monterey 2021 event, which runs August 12 to 14. View Online Listing

By Edward Jones – July 22, 2021

Mecum Monterey 2021: 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari

Presented by Mecum Auctions - Unveiled to the world at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the boldly named LaFerrari, translated as “The Ferrari,” was described by Ferrari President Luca Di Montezemolo as “… the expression of what defines our company.” Following in the hallowed lineage of the 288 GTO, F40, F50 and Enzo, the LaFerrari immediately lived up to its provocative model name as Ferrari’s most advanced road car at introduction and well beyond. Built around an FIA prototype-worthy, arrowhead-shaped carbon-fiber tub main structure, the LaFerrari features a lower ride height and center of gravity than even the radical Enzo preceding it, with an F1 cockpit-style seating position and sills built into the front-hinged, scissor-type doors. Breaking from tradition, bodywork for the LaFerrari was not the work of an external design house/coachbuilder, but rather the work of an in-house design team at Ferrari headed by Flavio Manzoni. While certainly attractive, the purposefully aggressive body of the LaFerrari features a “form following function” approach while paying homage to some of Ferrari’s most successful racing cars leading up to LaFerrari. Powering the LaFerrari is a stunning hybrid powertrain delivering 950 HP and quite possibly eclipsing Ferrari’s then-current F14 T Formula 1 racing car by about 200 HP. LaFerrari power-to-weight is a mind-bending 3.7 pounds-per-HP ratio. Dubbed HY-KERS, the LaFerrari Hybrid Kinetic Energy Recovery System powertrain features a 6.3L/789 HP DOHC, 48-valve V-12 engine at its core, equipped with variable-length intake runners, 13.5:1 compression and a 9,250 RPM redline. An oil-cooled electric motor resides at the rear of the 7-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission and delivers an additional 161 HP. A low-mounted, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack stores power and serves as a stressed structural member behind the passenger compartment. Electronic controls activate the electric motor, which essentially provides a kind of boost, filling in the lower rev ranges of the howling V-12 piston powerplant for near-instantaneous throttle response and a shockingly visceral, gut-wrenching experience for the driver and passenger. Obviously, LaFerrari performance is stunning, nay, ridiculous, with the 0-60 MPH dash completed in 2.5 seconds, 0-100 MPH in 4.8 seconds and the quarter-mile in a dragster-worthy 9.8 seconds at 149 MPH through the traps. Given sufficient space, top speed is a factory-claimed 217 MPH. Helping to harness its staggering performance, the LaFerrari body bristles with amazing active and passive aerodynamic features delivering the required engine cooling and maximizing performance with massive downforce, including a large adjustable spoiler and movable diffuser flaps. Other race-derived systems include stability control and performance anti-blockage/electronic brake balance. An F1-type electronic traction control system is integrated with the hybrid powertrain system and third-generation electronic differential for incredible response to driver inputs. Maximum road contact is delivered by Ferrari’s magnetorheological damping system with twin solenoids, and track-worthy adhesion is achieved via a set of extreme-performance Pirelli P-Zero tires surrounding 19-inch front and 20-inch rear forged aluminum wheels. According to published road tests, the LaFerrari generates up to 1.16 G lateral acceleration on the skidpad and requires just 136 feet to stop from 70 MPH. Two LaFerrari variants were sold: the coupe, with 500 produced in 2013-2016, and the Aperta convertible, 210 of which were built in 2016-18. Stunning in Rosso Corsa (Competition Red) over Nero (Black) leather upholstery with red piping and stitched Ferrari Cavallino Rampante accents, this 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari is virtually as-new with only 131 miles on the clock. Other accents include Scuderia Ferrari front-fender shields, carbon fiber dash trim and red calipers for the cross-drilled and vented Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes. Creature comforts include an adjustable steering wheel and pedal box, reconfigurable digital instrument panel and both main and secondary controls for audio, navigation, climate and telemetry systems. Creating a sensation from introduction and generating frenzied orders and deposit checks from hopeful buyers, the LaFerrari created an instant legend among Ferrari owners and collectors, one that will continue well into the future. Offered with incredibly low mileage, this Rosso Corsa LaFerrari offers an incredible opportunity to experience the design and engineering prowess that has firmly kept Ferrari at the forefront of motorsports since inception. This 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari will be auctioned off during Mecum Auctions’ Monterey 2021 event, which runs August 12 to 14. View Online Listing

By Edward Jones – July 20, 2021

Mecum Monterey 2021: 1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast

Presented by Mecum Auctions - Established almost immediately after the close of wartime in Europe, Ferrari and its enduring legend were built upon racing success from inception. Intense demand, fueled by Ferrari’s winning reputation, brought about the company’s first dual-purpose road/race cars in 1949. Spurred by epic wins that year at the most important European races—including the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and the Le Mans 24 Hours—Enzo Ferrari built his new factory in Maranello, Italy. Road-car production soon began, albeit in strictly limited numbers, mainly to finance Scuderia Ferrari’s racing commitments. By the late 1950s, road models were largely consolidated around the 250 GT, but Ferrari’s wealthiest and most demanding clients were offered the 400 Superamerica (400 SA) of 1959-1964 and 500 Superfast (500 SF) of 1964-66. For its part, the 500 Superfast debuted at the March 1964 Geneva Salon, marking the end of an era as the last of Ferrari’s elite, limited-edition closed models. While only as few as 36 were produced (some experts quote 37), the 500 SF captured the automotive world’s imagination in a manner unseen since the great prewar coachbuilt models from Bugatti, Duesenberg and Hispano-Suiza. The sleek bodywork of the 500 Superfast was directly influenced by Pininfarina’s prior 400 Superfast Aerodinamico coupes and glamorous Superfast II show car (Chassis No. 2207 SA), which was largely the work of Pininfarina’s longtime master designer Aldo Brovarone. Refinements applied to the rolling design laboratory provided by Chassis No. 2207 SA were previewed at the era’s top international motor shows, confirming Pininfarina’s design prowess and laying the foundation for the 500 Superfast. Powering the 500 Superfast was the ultimate development of Aurelio Lampredi’s “Long Block” V-12 engine, with lineage dating back to some of Ferrari’s most glorious racing cars of the early 1950s. Designated Tipo 208, the 500 SF engine displaced nearly 5.0L—4961cc, to be exact—and featured removable cylinder heads, a choice of 8.8:1 or 9:1 compression ratios, and triple 40mm Weber twin-choke carburetors; altogether, it was good for 400 HP at 6,500 RPM. Riding a tubular chassis with a 2.65-meter wheelbase, the 500 SF included independent front suspension and a live rear axle with leaf springs, dual-circuit servo-assisted Dunlop disc brakes all around, and a 4-speed manual transmission with electrically operated overdrive for Series 1 models and a 5-speed for Series 2. As one of the most powerful road cars of its time, the aero-efficient 500 Superfast was capable of nearly 170 MPH while cosseting occupants in leather and fine details. Pininfarina’s renowned craftsmen produced the bodies for the 500 Superfast with exceptional care and, unlike prior high-level Ferrari/Pininfarina collaborations, with few deviations from the basic design of the 1964 Geneva Show car. Only a neat hood bulge was added for carburetor clearance, and detail differences were limited to door handles and tail lamps. Production included approximately 25 “first series” cars, followed by a dozen “second series” examples, which shared updates with the 330 GT including a 5-speed gearbox, “hanging” pedal arrangement and revised front-fender vents. Production was unhurried, at a rate of roughly one 500 Superfast per month, with the final example, 8897 SF, delivered to British Ferrari importer Colonel Ronnie Hoare of Maranello Concessionaires on August 1, 1966. Buyers of the 500 Superfast formed a “who’s who” list of top Ferrari clients including the Aga Khan, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, shipping magnate Peter Livanos, Shah Reza Pahlavi of Iran, German playboy Günther Sachs and brilliant British actor Peter Sellers, the star of “Doctor Strangelove” and the “Pink Panther.”This “Series I” 500 Superfast, No. 6305 SF, is steeped in fascinating early history and documented by marque historian Hilary A. Raab in “Ferrari Serial Numbers Part I” as the 15th example produced. Originally finished in Nero (black) paint over Natural (beige) leather upholstery, 6305 SF differs from the other Series 1 cars with its factory-fitted 5-speed manual gearbox. Delivered to Milanese Ferrari dealer Crepaldi S.p.A., 6305 SF was purchased new in May 1965 by Count Guido Monzino, scion of Italy’s Standa grocery chain with offices in Milan. While born in 1928 to a logical future in business, the Count lived an amazingly adventurous 60-year lifetime, one which could certainly fill many volumes or easily inspire a decades-long, James Bond-style movie franchise. Best-known as one of Italy’s premier adventurers, explorers and mountain climbers, Monzino ascended the deadly Matterhorn by his early twenties and went on to complete 20 more arduous and hazardous expeditions throughout the world by 1973. The Count’s motorized adventures were equally prolific, including ownership of numerous elite-level Ferrari models and associations with the era’s top racing drivers. Monzino was also famous for rocketing across Lake Como in his beautiful racing hydroplane, the San Marco. Featuring supercharged Ferrari 340/375 MM V-12 power, the San Marco was once piloted by Count Monzino to a new speed record of over 150 MPH in the 1950s, demonstrating his ample bravery and skill. By 1969, the 500 Superfast was with a new Italian owner, and through the intervening years, it has formed part of some of the finest private collections on both sides of the Atlantic, including the 1998-2007 timeframe in the Seattle area with John McCaw, Ken McBride and Bill Cotter in succession. As offered at Mecum’s upcoming Monterey auction, 6305 SF continues to benefit from a complete engine rebuild and attention paid to its various mechanical systems by the Ferrari specialists at Wayne Obry’s Motion Products Inc. Retaining the matching-numbers original engine and mechanical components, this extremely rare Ferrari masterpiece has also received Ferrari Classiche certification, with the “Red Book” accompanying it. Finished in factory-specified black paintwork as new, 6305 SF is well equipped with power window lifts, an AM/FM radio, and it includes a proper tool roll and roadside jack. Brutally powerful, supremely elegant, blindingly fast and outrageously expensive when new, 6305 SF remains a truly rare example of Ferrari’s ultimate “classic era” V-12 Gran Turismo in every respect. Owned new by one of Italy’s most enigmatic business tycoons and daring adventurers, it is also one of the most fascinating. This 1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast will be auctioned off during Mecum Auctions’ Monterey 2021 event, which runs August 12 to 14. View Online Listing

By Edward Jones – June 11, 2021

2000 Ferrari 550 GT1 To Be Offered at RM Sotheby’s Milan ...

Presented by RM Sotheby's - With a front-line racing career spanning some 11 years—and encompassing two FIA GT Championships, a Le Mans class win and overall victory in the Spa 24 Hours—the Ferrari 550 GT1 justifiably occupies a place in the pantheon of all-time great Competition GT cars. Remarkably, Ferrari’s last serious GT offering had been the mighty Group 4 Daytona, some three decades previously. However, whilst that project had been factory-led, no such blessing, initially at least, was forthcoming for the 550. Ferrari made it clear that any racing version would have to be developed privately, with Italian Race Preparation firm Italtecnica and their British counterparts Prodrive taking the lead. Indeed, it was not until 2003 that the factory-approved N. Technology squad, somewhat belatedly, chose to develop their own version. One of four Italtecnica cars built, chassis 115811 was purchased by wealthy Italian Andrea Garbagnati, making its race debut in the first round of the 2001 FIA GT Championship at Monza. Entered by Team Rafanelli, the car was driven by former Formula One drivers Emanuele Naspetti and Mimmo Schiattarella. Although running fifth early on, their race ended in retirement following steering failure just after two-thirds distance. At the second round at Brno, the pair enjoyed a largely uneventful race to finish fifth, whilst at Magny-Cours two weeks later, they recorded a valiant fourth behind the winning Lister Storm and two Chrysler Vipers. After another fifth at Silverstone, a busy early season of five races in seven weekends concluded with a visit to Zolder in Belgium, in mid-May. Naspetti took a richly deserved pole position, although once again bad luck intervened with the car retiring once again due to accident damage. The season resumed at Spa in early August for the series’ blue riband event, the 24 Hours. Naspetti was retained as lead driver of 115811 with Schiattarella replaced by two-time Spa winner Eric van de Poele; Belgian amateurs Philippe Steveny and Martial Chouvel also joining the squad. After qualifying second, Naspetti made a blistering start, even taking the race lead briefly in the third hour. However, the early pace had taken its toll, the car retiring after just six hours with a broken crankshaft. A truncated season saw the car compete at the A1-Ring in late August, but the squad opted to miss the final three rounds of the Championship at Nurburgring, Jarama and Estoril. In Austria, Naspetti was partnered by Marc Duez, and after a somewhat lacklustre qualifying session—which left the pair only 13th—the car retired once again with engine maladies, this time shortly before half distance. After lying dormant for the majority of the 2002 season, 115811 was loaned to erstwhile Touring Car team Dart Racing for the last three rounds of that year’s FIA GT Championship. Although driven by vastly experienced Red Bull-backed Austrian Dieter Quester and former Le Mans class winner Luca Riccitelli, and suitably updated to 2002 specification by Milan-based J.A.S Motorsport, the alliance was not a fruitful one, with all three rounds—Enna, Donington and Estoril—ending in retirement. For 2003, car owner Garbagnati entrusted preparation responsibilities to JMB Racing, entering selected events in both the FIA and Italian GT Championships. Once again, the former was a disappointment, with drivers Terrien, Derichebourg and Pescatori enduring lamentable reliability and retiring from all four race starts. However, an otherwise disappointing season was salvaged when Garbagnati himself shared the car with Ferrari test driver Andrea Bertolini in two Italian GT races at the A1-Ring, taking overall victory in both. The 2004 season represented 115811’s competitive swansong, with JMB’s lead driver Lorenzo Casè securing three overall victories in the car at Imola, Magione and Vallelunga en route to third place in the end of year standings. Appropriately, the Vallelunga win would be the car’s final contemporary race, with Casè sharing the car on this occasion with future Mercedes-Benz Formula One supremo Toto Wolff. Following the conclusion of its contemporary race career, the car was sold to Frenchman Bruno Tortara and then to an anonymous German collector, the latter commissioning former JMB engineer Jean-Christophe Noel to undertake a comprehensive restoration. It was acquired by the vendor in 2018, who reinstated the spectacular 2002 Red Bull livery and undertook a complete engine and gearbox rebuild. Subsequently tested by three-time Le Mans winner Marco Werner, chassis 115811 is now fully race prepared and ready to do battle once again. It would undoubtedly be a competitive and show-stopping entry into the burgeoning Endurance Racing Legends and Masters Endurance Legends series, whilst its eligibility for Ferrari’s factory-organised Club Competizioni GT events further enhances its already considerable status. Indeed, with its seductive lines, classic front-engined 6-litre V-12 layout and unparalleled accompanying soundtrack, the 550 Maranello has long been considered a worthy successor to the likes of the 250 GTO, 275 GTB/C and Daytona; an accolade which will surely only be cemented further in future years. This vehicle will be offered in RM Sotheby’s new Milan Sale, taking place 15 June at Palazzo Serbelloni in Italy. The sale will be livestreamed and remote bidding options are available. View Online Listing

By Edward Jones – June 09, 2021

1966 Ferrari 275 GTB by Scaglietti To Be Offered at RM So...

Presented by RM Sotheby's - By 1966, both the careers and the relationship of the recently married film director Roger Vadim Plemiannikov and Hollywood starlet Jane Fonda were very much on the rise. The pair had met while filming La Ronde in 1963, officially becoming a couple later that year. Married in Las Vegas in August of 1965, the pair lived a glamorous trans-Atlantic lifestyle between Vadim’s native France and Southern California. Attractive, wealthy, talented, and eager for more success, the pair seemingly lived an idyllic lifestyle that anyone would have been envious of, and that included what they drove. After having sold his Ferrari 250 California SWB Spider, chassis number 2175 GT, Vadim purchased the 275 GTB on offer here, chassis number 08641, on 15 June 1966. Finished in Azzuro (106-A-32) over a full leather Nero (VM 8500) interior, the car was built to left-hand drive specifications for use in France. Chassis number 08641 falls late in the production run of the 275 GTB, fitted with long-nose steel bodywork, torque tube, and three Weber carburetors. It was sold to him through Franco-Britannic Autos of Paris, Ferrari’s official distributor, and the car was subsequently registered in Vadim’s name (as Roger Plemiannikov) under registration number 64 SW 75. Later that summer, the registration documents were transferred to Fonda, keeping the same number. The pair kept their 275 GTB for about two and a half years and during this time, they were photographed with the car frequently, as one would expect for a pair of A-list celebrities. In August of 1966, the pair were photographed emerging from the car in Saint-Tropez, Vadim sporting swimming trunks and attracting a crowd of onlookers, clearly starstruck by their celebrity sighting, and perhaps the 275 GTB as well. Another color photo exists in the history file of Fonda in the passenger seat in October of 1968, departing the hospital for the first time with their newborn daughter Vanessa, a much more personal moment. In November of 1968, the 275 GTB returned to Franco-Britannic Autos and was reregistered 1404 W 75 (trade plate) and then subsequently purchased by a Mr. Tamalet in Lyon. In short order, the car was repainted red and registered under the name of his company as 1191 DG 69 according to Ferrari historian Marcel Massini. By April of 1972, chassis number 08641 had passed to Christian and Anne Baverey in Lyon. In their ownership, the car saw a bit of action on the track. It appeared at Pierre Bardinon’s famous Mas du Clos circuit where it was driven by Jean-Claude Killy, a former World Cup ski racer and triple Olympic Champion at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble. Anne Baverey would take to the wheel next at the Limonest-Mont Verdun hill climb near Lyon and later the Coup des Dames at Mas du Clos, in September and October of 1974 respectively. On 16 April 1980, chassis number 08641 passed to Michel Ferry, director of the Société des Bains de Mer in Monaco. The car was still noted as being painted red at this time, although the chromed front grille guard had been removed and it sported yellow headlights for use in France. Briefly reregistered in Monaco, the 275 GTB was subsequently sold to a collector in Toulouse who drove the car in a series of local events and rallies, reregistering the car as 275 TM 31. Sold to French dealer and collector Jean Guikas, in 1988, it passed through him to another French owner before finding its way to the consignor roughly twenty years ago. In the last five years, chassis number 08641 was subject to a full restoration seeking to bring the car back to its original colour scheme of Azzurro over Nero, just as it was when it was owned by Fonda and Vadim. Afterwards, the car received Ferrari Classiche certification, confirming that it retains its original chassis, engine, and gearbox. In period, the 275 GTB was a favorite of many of the Hollywood jet set and in addition to Fonda and Vadim, 275 GTBs found their way into the garages of other celebrities in period, including Steve McQueen, and Miles Davis who had a 275 GTB/4. Vadim was clearly a fan of the Ferrari for some time, having previously owned a 250 California Spider (chassis number 2175 GT). Interestingly, Fonda also had previous experiences with a California Spider alongside the car owned by fellow actor Alain Delon (chassis number 2935 GT). Both no stranger to Ferrari as a marque, it is easy to understand why the pair were drawn to the 275 GTB and it is clear that the car played an important role in their lives early on in their marriage and a time when it looked like the sky was the limit for the couple. Presented today exactly as it was when it was delivered to Fonda and Vadim, chassis number 08641 sits amongst the upper echelon of 275 GTBs, with its celebrity ownership only adding to its known history, and Classiche certification. It would be at home on a concours lawn anywhere in the world, but would perhaps be most at home cruising the roads of the south of France in unrivaled style as it did with its first owners. This vehicle will be offered in RM Sotheby’s new Milan Sale, taking place 15 June at Palazzo Serbelloni in Italy. The sale will be livestreamed and remote bidding options are available. View Online Listing

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