Superfast tycoons’ tourer. A rare right-hook Ferrari 500 Superfast, so what’s behind its low estimate?
CHASING CARS Russ Smith’s market headliners
Estimated at the low end of guide prices, is this rare Sixties Ferrari a victim of the times? We asked Hagerty Insurance’s John Mayhead for his take on it.
‘When released in 1964, the 500 Superfast was Ferrari’s crown jewel. With 400bhp on tap from the 5.0-litre ‘long block’ V12, the car was the fastest Ferrari in the range. Its 170mph top speed is still more than creditable today.
‘Just 37 of these Ferrari Superfasts were made, 25 in “Series I” configuration, another 12 “Series II” with some styling changes and a five-speed manual gearbox. One of these later cars, still in its original Blu Chiaro colour, with tan leather interior and matching numbers engine, is due to go up for sale at Bonhams’ auction at its New Bond Street location on December 1.
‘Chassis 8459 SF, has an interesting history. Ordered new by entrepreneur Jack Durlacher, it passed between various owners until 2007, when Bonhams sold it for £254,500 to the current owner. Then it was displayed at the Auto Collections Museum in Las Vegas. Last August it was offered at RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale, estimated at £1.3m to £1.55m, but bidding stopped at £1.05m. Bonhams’ estimate is on par with RM’s at £1.3m to £1.4m.
‘All these figures are way under the “Condition 4” Hagerty Price Guide figure of £2.1m. These cars hardly appear regularly on the market, but in the last couple of years other examples have sold for between £1.5m and £2.4m. Although 8459 SF is an older restoration and the steering wheel was on the wrong side for the majority of US bidders back in the summer, this still seems like a very conservative estimate for a car with the right numbers and a great colour combination.
‘It doesn’t quite have the cachet of its 250GTO, 250GT SWB and 250 California brethren, but is a very limited-edition Ferrari and a wonderful grand tourer. Time will tell if the market agrees, and a new owner this side of the Atlantic is tempted by it. It seems very much priced to sell.’
‘These cars hardly appear regularly on the market, but in the last couple of years other examples have sold for between £1.5 million and £2.4 million’
