Tag Archives: RM Sotheby's

News

$26 Million Ferrari Daytona SP3 Steals the Show at Monterey Car Week Auction

Auction week in Monterey always delivers drama, but even seasoned bidders did a double-take when the hammer fell on a Ferrari Daytona SP3 at RM Sotheby’s. The price? A staggering $26 million—more than ten times its original sticker.

This wasn’t just any SP3. Ferrari built the car specifically for the event, a one-off finished in exposed carbon fiber with a bold yellow livery stretching nose to tail, plus a bespoke interior plastered with prancing horse motifs. The sale benefitted the Ferrari Foundation, the automaker’s U.S.-based 501(c)(3) supporting education. If you’re going to write a big check, this was the place to do it.

The Daytona SP3 itself hardly needs an introduction. Launched in 2021 as part of Ferrari’s exclusive “Icona” series, it was essentially a LaFerrari without the hybrid trickery, clothed in bodywork that channels the P3 and P4 endurance racers of the 1960s. Production was capped at 599 cars, each starting around $2.25 million, and every slot was spoken for before the public even saw the car. Predictably, examples quickly began trading well above MSRP. Just not ten times MSRP.

With RM Sotheby’s gavel drop, this SP3 now holds the record as the most expensive new Ferrari ever sold at auction. It also took the top spot for Monterey Car Week overall, edging out another Maranello masterpiece: a 1961 Ferrari 250 California Spyder Competizione that crossed Gooding & Christie’s block for just over $25 million.

For perspective, the next-highest seller at RM Sotheby’s was a Ferrari F40 LM at a mere $11 million—a bargain in this rarified company.

In a weekend defined by stratospheric sales, Ferrari proved once again that nothing tugs at a collector’s wallet—or heartstrings—like a prancing horse.

Source: Ferrari

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

News

Ultra-Rare Ferrari F40 LM GTC Heads to Auction

Few names in the automotive world evoke passion quite like Ferrari. While many models from Maranello have earned legendary status, only a select few ascend into myth. The Ferrari F40 is one of them—often regarded by enthusiasts as the pinnacle of the brand’s performance legacy. But beyond the celebrated road car lies something even more extraordinary: the F40 LM.

Now, one of these ultra-rare F40 LM GTCs is set to change hands at the prestigious RM Sotheby’s auction during Monterey Car Week this August, and collectors are already lining up for a chance to own a piece of racing history.

The Unicorn Among Legends

Developed by Michelotto Automobili for the crucible of motorsport, the F40 LM (short for Le Mans) was Ferrari’s answer to both the American IMSA series and Europe’s FIA GT championship. Just 19 were ever built, each a bespoke evolution of the F40 platform, stripped, tuned, and sharpened for track domination.

The example going under the hammer is chassis number 95448—the 14th car of the limited 19—and one of the rarest of them all thanks to its even more exclusive GTC specification. This variant boasts the highest power output of any F40, pushing a ferocious 770 horsepower from its 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. With a featherweight curb weight of just 1,050 kilograms, it’s a full 317 kilograms lighter than the standard road-going F40, delivering a visceral experience that few machines—road or race—can match.

A Storied Provenance

Originally delivered new to Walter Hagmann of St. Moritz, Switzerland, a noted Ferrari collector, chassis 95448 has seen a fascinating journey. After changing hands a few times—including a return to Hagmann’s ownership—it eventually found its way to private owners across Italy, France, Spain, the Czech Republic, and later the United States, Germany, and Austria. Along the way, it participated in various historic racing events, living up to its motorsport pedigree.

In 2014, the car was sent back to Michelotto for a mechanical refresh, receiving engine and gearbox servicing along with a full respray in its iconic Rosso Corsa red. Ahead of the auction, it has undergone further preparation to ensure it’s in optimal condition, including new belts, spark plugs, fuel filters, and a fresh set of Michelin Pilot Sport GT Slick S7M tires.

A Million-Dollar Myth

Expected to fetch between $8.5 million and $9.5 million, this F40 LM GTC is more than just a collector’s trophy—it’s a symbol of Ferrari’s unrelenting pursuit of performance and motorsport glory. For the few who can afford it, owning this machine is akin to holding a piece of Ferrari’s soul.

The auction is scheduled for August 16th, where the spotlight will shine brightly on Monterey—and on one of the most formidable Ferraris ever built.

Source: RM Sotheby’s