Category Archives: Auctions

Auctions

Ferrari F50: Ralph Lauren’s Yellow Unicorn Shatters Records

This past weekend, someone with a very large wallet and an even larger sense of taste spent $9.24 million on a Ferrari F50. Yes, that’s right — nearly four million more than what these cars typically command. You could call it madness, but we call it inevitability.

Because this isn’t just any F50. This is the fashion-forward unicorn once owned by Ralph Lauren — a man who, when he wasn’t redefining American prep, was amassing one of the most jaw-droppingly valuable Ferrari collections on Earth.

And what a spec it is. Out of the 349 F50s ever built, just 55 were tailored for the American market. And of those, only two were painted in Giallo Modena yellow — this being one of them. So yes, rarity cranked up to 11.

Lauren eventually let go of the car back in 2003, and since then it’s spent most of its life in hiding. In fact, the last time it showed its face in public was in 2009, before disappearing into the quiet suburbs of Virginia. Cue this auction, and the world finally remembered just how intoxicating the F50 really is.

In preparation for its big debut, Ferrari Central Florida gave it a fresh dose of TLC in late 2024: new fuel tank, brakes, and rubber. And it’s got the Ferrari Classiche certification, because obviously. Despite being almost 30 years old, the odometer reads just 8,690 kilometers. In Ferrari-speak, that’s barely run in.

It wasn’t always like this, of course. For years the F50 lived in the shadow of its lairy older brother, the F40, and its futuristic younger sibling, the Enzo. Critics once moaned about its looks, its lack of a turbocharged punch, or the fact that it felt too much like a race car on the road. Today, those same critics are probably kicking themselves, because values are now skyrocketing faster than the rev counter on its 4.7-litre naturally aspirated V12 — an engine with genuine Formula 1 DNA.

For context, the previous record for an F50 was a mere $5.5 million, set earlier this year by an example with just 2,174 kilometers on the clock. This new sale obliterates that, and suddenly the F50 isn’t the “forgotten middle child” of Ferrari hypercars anymore. It’s the one everyone wants.

So, what have we learned? Simple: if you’ve got an F50 sitting quietly in your garage, congratulations — you’re sitting on a gold mine. If you don’t… well, best start designing polo shirts.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

Auctions

Ultra-Rare 2021 Ruf CTR Anniversary Heads to Auction

Another rare gem from the house of Ruf is heading to auction, and it’s expected to command a price tag north of $3 million. The car in question? A 2021 Ruf CTR Anniversary — a modern reinterpretation of the iconic Yellowbird, built to mark the 30th anniversary of Ruf’s legendary CTR lineage.

At first glance, it might be mistaken for a classic Porsche 911, but don’t be fooled. Underneath its retro shell lies a thoroughly modern supercar engineered by one of the most revered Porsche tuners in history. Ruf doesn’t merely modify Porsches — it builds its own vehicles from the ground up, registered under its own manufacturer status. And the CTR Anniversary is a shining example of this philosophy.

Debuting at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the CTR Anniversary blends timeless design with cutting-edge materials and race-proven engineering. Just 50 units were produced, making it rarer than many exotic supercars. The example set to hit the auction block is chassis number 25 — finished in stunning Riviera Blue and showing fewer than 200 miles on the odometer.

Originally delivered to a discerning collector in Florida, this CTR Anniversary was optioned with nearly every carbon fiber component available. The exterior features lightweight carbon bodywork, carbon ceramic brakes with matching body-colored calipers, a front axle lift system, and featherweight carbon-fiber doors — all in the name of performance and precision.

Inside, the cabin is equally jaw-dropping. The Kevlar-carbon bucket seats are wrapped in supple leather with pepita (houndstooth) inserts and accented by Riviera Blue contrast stitching. Even the seatbelts match the exterior hue. A black Alcantara headliner adds to the bespoke feel, while titanium pedals round off the interior with a motorsport-inspired touch.

But this car isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s a powerhouse under the skin. The CTR Anniversary is powered by a 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine, developed in-house by Ruf, that delivers a staggering 720 horsepower and 890 Nm (656 lb-ft) of torque. With a six-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive, this analog rocket catapults from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under four seconds and boasts a top speed of 360 km/h (224 mph).

When new, the CTR Anniversary commanded an eye-watering €892,000 (around $1 million at the time). However, given the recent sale of an original 1987 Ruf CTR Yellowbird for $6.1 million — nearly 41 times its original price — expectations are high. Pre-auction estimates suggest the car could fetch between $2.8 and $3.4 million when it crosses the block later this month.

For collectors and driving purists alike, the CTR Anniversary represents a perfect blend of rarity, craftsmanship, and raw performance. While Singer may offer gorgeous 911-based restomods, the Ruf CTR Anniversary delivers heritage and homologation-grade engineering from a marque that’s been rewriting Porsche’s rulebook for decades.

This is more than just a car — it’s an artifact of performance history, destined for a place of honor in a world-class collection.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

Auctions

Custom 1955 Ford “Beatnik Bubbletop” Set to Cross the Auction Block

In a world where modern cars often blur together in shades of gray and practicality, the Beatnik Bubbletop is a brazen reminder that automotive design can still be wild, wonderful, and a little weird. Built from the bones of a 1955 Ford, this custom creation is anything but conventional—and nearly a decade after its last auction appearance, it’s once again ready to turn heads as it heads to the Mecum Auctions block this September.

Originally the brainchild of renowned custom car builder Gary Fioto, the Beatnik Bubbletop took over four years to complete. The project was no mere restomod—it was a full-blown reinvention. Fioto chopped the roof off a ’55 Ford and mounted the body on the chassis of a 1988 Lincoln Town Car. From there, things only got more radical.

Up front, a bumper from a 1959 Cadillac makes a bold first impression, while the rear is capped with a 1958 Caddy bumper and striking finned taillights sourced from a 1960 Chrysler. All the bodywork in between was handcrafted in steel, painstakingly joined with oxy-acetylene welding to achieve a sculptural, seamless flow. It’s a design that feels more at home in a Jetsons cartoon or a mid-century sci-fi dream than on any city street.

But the most striking feature—and the reason for its name—is the clear Lexan bubble roof, giving the car a full-blown space-age silhouette. The oversized dome isn’t just a design flourish; it defines the car’s entire persona. It’s audacious, theatrical, and undeniably unique.

Inside, the show continues. The cockpit is as bespoke as the bodywork, featuring a yoke-style steering wheel, custom dashboard, and sleek, color-matched air vents that extend into the rear. Pearl White upholstery shimmers beneath the light pouring in from the transparent canopy, while a Vintage Air HVAC system and Alpine screen add a modern touch to this retro-futuristic fantasy.

The Beatnik Bubbletop isn’t just a novelty—it’s a decorated showpiece. It cleaned up on the custom car circuit in the mid-2000s, taking top honors at events like Daryl Starbird’s National Rod and Custom Car Show, where it earned a $20,000 grand prize in 2006. It later joined the eclectic collection of the late Larry Klairmont, a well-known Chicago collector who passed away in 2021.

Back in July 2015, the car fetched $165,000 at an RM Sotheby’s auction. Now, ten years later, collectors and custom enthusiasts alike will be watching closely to see if its value—and its legend—have grown with time.

Whether you love it, loathe it, or simply marvel at its existence, one thing is certain: the Beatnik Bubbletop wasn’t built to blend in. It’s an automotive statement piece, a rolling work of art that revels in excess and eccentricity. As it heads back to the auction stage, the question isn’t whether it will attract attention—it’s whether anyone will be bold enough to take it home.

Source: Mecum Auctions