RM auctioning rare Ferrari 330 P4 competition car at Leggenda e Passione event

A few years ago, RM Auctions arranged a private sale at the Ferrari factory to help the Maranello firm clear out some of their various race cars, prototypes and other motoring effluvia that had begun to clutter up the cavallino campus. The sale was so successful (and fun) that the auction house decided to do it again. And again. For this year's Leggenda e Passione event, they just picked up a vehicle that might have several of us calling Alitalia to check airfares. In cooperation with Sotheby's, the company will be auctioning off an ULTRA-RARE AND HUGELY VALUABLE LE MANS PODIUM-FINISH FERRARI 330 P4! The caps are theirs, not ours, but the emotion behind it is shared. These things don't come up for sale very often and when they do, it usually takes quite a few digits to secure them.

The particular P4 in question is chassis number 0858, a 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 that happens to be one of only three original P4s built. There were others that were converted from P3s, but this is one of the factory P4s. This very car won at Monza and claimed third at Le Mans, where it was piloted by Lorenzo Bandini and Willy Mairesse. Jackie Stewart and Chris Amon drove it later at Brands Hatch, where they clinched the manufacturers championship for Ferrari behind the wheel of this beast. It will be the star at the May 17 auction, along with a gorgeous Testa Rossa and a number of other historic Ferraris and Maseratis. There's a full presser after the jump and a small gallery available by clicking any image.

[Source: RM Auctions]

Press Release

ULTRA-RARE AND HUGELY VALUABLE LE MANS PODIUM-FINISH FERRARI 330 P4
TO MAKE AUCTION DEBUT

RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby's, announce an ultra-rare 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 (chassis number 0858) as the latest star attraction for its 'Ferrari Leggenda e Passione' event in Maranello, Italy. One of only THREE original P4s built, this stunning Monza-winning and Le Mans example joins an unparalleled line-up of historic Ferraris and three magnificent Maseratis for the May 17 auction.

LONDON, England (April 20, 2009) – RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby's, will lift the gavel on an exceptional, race-bred 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 (chassis number 0858) when the highly anticipated Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event returns to Maranello, Italy next month.

Regarded as one of the greatest sports-racing prototypes ever designed by Ferrari, the fiercely competitive 330 P4 is one of only three P4s ever built. This example has a distinguished racing pedigree including a win at the 1000-kilometre Trofeo Filippo Caracciolo in Monza and a third overall finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1967. The car has been driven by such legendary names as Lorenzo Bandini and Willy Mairesse, while Jackie Stewart and Chris Amon famously took the car to second place in the British BOAC International 500 at Brands Hatch, clinching the World Championship for Ferrari in the process. Significantly, its offering at the May 17 event marks the first time it has come to market in 38 years.

"With only three original P4s ever built, to say this car is rare is an understatement," says Max Girardo, Managing Director of RM Europe. "There is tremendous excitement surrounding 0858's appearance at our Maranello auction. Its offering represents a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to acquire one of the most important race cars ever created and a highly desirable piece of Scuderia Ferrari racing history. The addition of this historic car to the auction builds on the already mounting anticipation for the event, which is now just under a month away," adds Girardo.

0858 has a significant provenance with a well-documented international racing career spanning a number of different continents from Australia to South Africa and Europe. For the past 38 years it has been under the care of its current owner, during which it has only be shown at very few exclusive events in the United States, including an appearance at the Rolex Monterey Historic automobile races in 1995 and again in 2003.

The legendary 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 will join an unprecedented selection of important road and racing Ferraris when RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby's, present Ferrari Leggenda e Passione, May 17 in Maranello, Italy. Now in its third year, the single-day event is the only auction dedicated to the Ferrari marque, held within the factory grounds and endorsed by the Ferrari factory. With 34 historic Ferraris all certified by Ferrari Classiche, and three Maseratis set to cross the block, this year's historic line-up eclipses RM's previous two record-breaking Maranello collections.

For further information or to view a full list of the cars and memorabilia on offer, please visit www.rmauctions.com or call RM's London Office on +44 (0) 20 7851 7070.

About RM Auctions, Inc.
Celebrating 30 years in the collector car industry, RM Auctions and its associated companies are responsible for acquisitions, restorations and sales of the world's rarest and most valuable vintage automobiles, including record-breaking sales in Maranello, Italy and London, England. RM's restoration division has achieved unprecedented accolades earning "Best of Show" honors at the world's top Concours events. For further information, visit www.rmauctions.com

About Sotheby's
Sotheby's is a global company that engages in art auctions, private sales and art-related financing activities. The Company operates in 40 countries, with principal salesrooms located in New York, London, Hong Kong and Paris. The Company also regularly conducts auctions in six other salesrooms around the world. Sotheby's is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BID.

About Ferrari S.p.A.
Exclusivity, technological excellence, precision engineering and outstanding performance are the hallmarks of Ferrari S.p.A. a unique sports car manufacturer. Based in Maranello, Italy, Ferrari delivers to its clients about 6,500 individually crafted cars annually, each a work of art. Since the first car appeared in 1947, the famous Prancing Horse on a yellow shield has represented the motoring and racing ideal among Ferrari fans around the world.