Monterey Car Week always draws the rarest and most desirable Ferraris, but this year, Mecum Auctions promises something truly special. From the achingly pretty lines of the mid-engine Dino to a breathtaking, early ‘50s V12 Touring Barchetta, these five featured Ferraris each represent a defining chapter in Maranello’s history. Their stories intertwine heritage, design, racing, and rarity, setting the stage for a highly anticipated moment at Pebble Beach.
1951 Ferrari 212 Export Touring Barchetta
Pure elegance and history converge in the 1951 Ferrari 212 Export Touring Barchetta, chassis 0136E, set to cross the block as Lot S97. This fully restored, Pebble Beach-winning masterpiece wears the revered barchetta bodywork from Carrozzeria Touring. Estimated between $3.25 and $4 million, the car encapsulates Ferrari’s earliest dreams of international competition and gentleman-driver glory. Under its sculpted aluminum hood lies a Colombo V12, built for endurance events such as the Tour de France and Giro di Sicilia—races where the 212 Export cemented Ferrari’s reputation as a dominant force. This particular example stands as a rolling tribute to the dawn of Ferrari’s racing legacy.
1971 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider
Among the rarest and most coveted of Ferrari’s V12 grand tourers, the 1971 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider, chassis 14473, arrives at Mecum’s Monterey auction as Lot S99. With just 122 examples produced and Ferrari Classiche certification, this open-top masterpiece showcases 61,740 miles of storied motoring. Its auction estimate of $2.5 to $3 million underscores its exclusivity and desirability. Built by Pininfarina and Scaglietti on the storied Colombo V12 platform, this Daytona Spider has secured four FCA Platinum awards, solidifying its status as a reference example for collectors. Its presence on the auction stage is nothing short of a masterclass in Ferrari’s grand touring ethos, blending elegance, power, and open-air freedom.
1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS
The 1973 Dino 246 GTS heading to Monterey is a collectible and an icon forged in the heat of competition. Chassis S/N 05984, offered as Lot S100, achieved celebrity status in 1975 when Jack May and Rick Cline piloted it across America during the legendary Cannonball Run, averaging 83 mph and completing the journey in just under 36 hours. With 50,819 miles recorded and a provenance that reads like a screenplay, this GTS is more than a beautiful open-top sports car; it is a living artifact of automotive folklore, a bridge between Ferrari’s road cars and the rebellious spirit of 1970s racing legends.
1951 Ferrari 212 Export Touring Barchetta
This year’s Monterey auction sees not one, but two unique examples of the 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT, each telling its own story. The first, chassis S/N 03186, crosses the block as a no-reserve charity lot, with proceeds dedicated to Homes For Our Troops—a testament to the car community’s enduring generosity. With estimates ranging from $225,000 to $250,000, this Dino not only embodies Italian performance and beauty but also offers bidders the chance to drive with purpose.
1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT
Chassis S/N 02984, offered as Lot F88, presents a different angle: a 2.4-liter V6, five-speed manual, and the timeless combination of red coachwork over a tan-and-black interior. With matching numbers and disc brakes, it stands as a superb example of the model’s mechanical purity. Estimated at $325,000 to $375,000, it’s a vivid reminder of why the Dino remains a cornerstone of Ferrari’s legacy, prized for its Pininfarina styling and ahead-of-its-time driving dynamics.
Together, these Ferraris illuminate every facet of Maranello’s genius. The Dino models showcase Ferrari’s bold leap into mid-engine V6 performance, wrapped in sculptural Pininfarina design. The Cannonball-winning GTS injects the romance of adventure and competition into the classic sports car formula. The 212 Export Touring Barchetta offers a direct line to the brand’s earliest days of endurance racing and coachbuilt artistry, while the Daytona Spider stands tall as an icon of open-air V12 grand touring.
As Mecum’s Monterey auction approaches, these five Ferraris represent automotive design and engineering milestones. For the true enthusiast, each one is an irreplaceable piece of Ferrari history waiting for its next chapter.
