SANTA MONICA, Calif. (November 18, 2011) – Gooding & Company, the world’s leading auction house for collectors of rare and exceptional cars, is pleased to announce three pedigreed Italian collector cars – rarely presented to the public – for its 2012 Scottsdale Auctions: a 1956 Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa Scaglietti Spider, a 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV by Bertone and a 1971 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Spider by Ghia. A testament to the exciting post-war designs and performance technology of Italy’s manufacturers and carrozzerie, these extraordinary Italian coachbuilt cars are in even higher demand 40-50 years later and the perfect examples of the provenance, preservation and quality that collectors desire today.
“These days, extraordinary cars that are rare and have great provenance are of paramount importance to collectors,” says David Gooding, president and founder of Gooding & Company. “Whether it is the ultimate Maserati or Lamborghini road car or an early version of one of Ferrari’s most important racing models, the common thread connecting the Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa, Lamborghini Miura P400 SV andMaserati Ghibli Spider is that they are the best examples of quality, significance and performance for which each marque has become renowned.”
1956 Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa (Chassis no. 0650MDTR) One of the most extensively campaigned four-cylinder race cars in the United States. Preceding the legendary 250 GT Testa Rossa, the 500 was the first Ferrari to use the Testa Rossa namesake. The 1956 Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa being presented is one of just 17 examples produced and one of the most extensively campaigned four-cylinder cars to race in the United States. American motorsport legends John von Neumann, Bruce Kessler and Pete Lovely all raced this 1956 Ferrari 500Testa Rossa in its early years at many of the country’s greatest racetracks, including Pomona, Lime Rock,Riverside, Paramount, Palm Springs and Laguna Seca. An impressively original and honest race car, thisFerrari is an excellent candidate for enthusiasts wishing to participate in the best vintage rallies and racing events. The car’s auction estimate is $2.1 - $2.6 million.
1971 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Spider Believed to be the finest example in existence. One of only 11 European versions created, the iconic 1971 Maserati Ghibli SS Spider by Ghia presented is believed to be the finest example in existence. Historically documented from new and restored from the ‘ground up’ by leading Italian specialists, this fabulous Verde Gemma sports car with saddle interior is equipped with the most desirable European factory specifications, featuring a manual gearbox, hard top, Borrani wire wheels and fitted luggage. Its estimate is $700,000 - $900,000.
1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV Comprehensively restored by Jeff Stephan, one of the world’s top experts on Miuras. One of only 150 SVs built, this factory 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV was built according to desirable European specifications. After its longtime California owner treated the prized car to a comprehensive restoration by the leading Miura expert, Jeff Stephan, this spectacular Miura went on to win multiple Best in Class awards. A matching-numbers example, this Miura is finished in its original red and gold livery. Its estimate is $1.2 - $1.4 million.
These extraordinary cars will be joined by more “best-example” consignments this January, including a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing Top Convertible Coupe (estimate $1.6 - $2.2 million), the NewYork Auto Show 1969 Iso Grifo 7 Litre by Bertone (estimate $350,000 - $550,000) and 1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast ($950,000 - $1.25 million).
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