RM Sotheby’s has unveiled an extraordinary automotive barn find that may potentially become the most valuable in history. The collection consists of 20 Ferraris that were abandoned in a Florida barn in 1990 and later discovered in 2004 when Hurricane Charley destroyed the structure.
The cars were subsequently rescued and relocated to Indiana, where they remained untouched for another two decades.
Compared to the previous largest barn find, which comprised 60 cars belonging to French industrialist Roger Baillon and was left to decay on a French estate for 50 years, the number of vehicles in this collection is significantly smaller. However, the average value of the cars in this barn find far exceeds that of the Baillon Collection.
During the Artcurial auction in Paris in 2015, the Baillon Collection achieved a total sale of USD $28.5 million (EUR €25.15 million), with the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider being the most valuable car, fetching $18.45 million (€16.23 million) and becoming one of the top five most expensive cars ever sold at auction at that time. Only two other cars from the collection sold for over $1.0 million.
While the “Lost & Found” barn find comprises fewer cars, all of them being Ferraris, most are expected to fetch prices exceeding $1 million, with some potentially reaching even higher figures. Although it lacks a single car with a $20 million valuation like the Baillon Collection, it will be intriguing to see if this new find can match or surpass the previously set $28.5 million record.
To gauge the potential outcomes, an analysis of the collection and the record prices achieved by similar models in the past has been conducted. While many of these vehicles are not in pristine condition, some possess exceptional provenance, and as demonstrated by the Baillon Collection, the collection’s fame contributes to the cars’ value during the auction and beyond.
Adding to the allure is the fact that the collection will be auctioned during Monterey Car Week without reserve prices, creating an air of uncertainty and the possibility of finding bargains.
1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider Series I by Pinin Farina
Number made: One of the early Mondial models, approximately 13 or 14 was originally completed with Pinin Farina spider coachwork.
Precedents: Recent sales of similar 500 Mondial Spiders have ranged from $2,095,000 (2022) to $5,005,000 (2018), depending on factors such as condition and provenance.
1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale by Pinin Farina
Number made: One of four coupes bodied by Pinin Farina, classified as the Tipo 513, out of approximately 80 “low-roof” 250 GT Coupes produced by Boano.
Precedents: Only one of the four cars has been to auction, selling for USD $1,430,000 in 2012. Given its unique provenance and potential for a full restoration, it is estimated to be worth between USD $1,700,000 and $2,300,000.
1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupe Series I by Pinin Farina
Number made: One of 12 Pinin Farina-bodied Series I 410 Superamerica coupes, and one of 16 Series I 410 Superamericas in total.
Precedents: A Series I Superamerica sold for $3.3 million in 2014, while both Series II and Series III Superamerica 410s have sold for more than $5.0 million.
1960 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Series II by Pinin Farina
Number made: One of just 147 2nd Series examples of the 250 GT Pininfarina coupé.
Precedents: The highest price paid for a Series II 250 GT Coupe was USD $1,140,020 (EUR €989,000) in 2018. The average price for this model is closer to $500,000.
1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso by Scaglietti
Number made: Ferrari produced 350 of the 250 GT/L Lusso models.
Precedents: A standard GT/L Lusso typically sells for $1.5 million or more, with some exceeding $2.0 million. The record price for this model is $2,447,500.
1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy by Scaglietti
Number made: One of 80 aluminum-bodied Long-Nose 275 GTBs.
Precedents: Several 275 GTBs with alloy bodies and six carburetors have sold above $2 million, with the record set at $4,620,000 in 2014.
1965 Ferrari 275 GTS by Pininfarina
Number made: Only 200 examples of the 275 GTS were produced, and this car is the 19th manufactured.
Precedents: The 275 GTS has consistently been a million-dollar car, with a record price of $2,365,000 in 2015. Recent sales have exceeded $2 million.
1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series I ‘Interim’ by Pininfarina
Number made: One of 124 “Series I interim” models bridging the first and second series of the 330 GT 2+2.
Precedents: There is limited auction data for the “interim” models, but the 330 GT 2+2 Series I has attracted high prices, especially with notable provenance. The record price for the model is $543,701 (GBP £359,900) for John Lennon’s car.
1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series II by Pininfarina
Number made: There were 460 Series II examples of the Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 built.
Precedents: The record price for a 1967 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series II is $737,000, set by RM Sotheby’s at Monterey in 2016.
1967 Ferrari 330 GTS by Pininfarina
Number made: The number of 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS cars produced is unknown based on the provided information.
Precedents: Mecum holds the record price for this model, fetching $3,300,000 for the Ferrari 330 GTS that casino magnate Bill Harrah famously gave to his new wife, singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry.
The sale occurred in Monterey in 2015. Although there have been ten sales of the 330 GTS in excess of USD $2.0 million, it would appear that the provenance of the Harrah-Gentry car significantly added to the value, as it is nearly $750,000 more expensive than the second-highest price paid for a 330 GTS.
1968 Ferrari Dino 206 GT by Scaglietti
Number made: Just 153 of the hand-built, all-aluminum-bodied Dino 206 GTs were produced from 1967 to 1969, after which production shifted to the heavier 246 GT. Many Ferrari connoisseurs regard the 206 GT as the more distinctive and important Dino model.
Precedents: The long-standing record for the Dino 206 was recently broken. It was held by Gooding & Company at $803,000, a record set at the official Pebble Beach auction in 2015. It was recently eclipsed by RM Sotheby’s at Amelia Island (2023) when a Concours-quality 206 GT fetched $868,500. However, since this car is in need of restoration, it is unlikely to set any auction records.
1969 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 by Pininfarina
Number made: Approximately 800 365 GT 2+2s were built between 1967 and 1971.
Precedents: The record for this model is relatively low (for a Ferrari) at $374,000, set by Gooding & Company at Scottsdale in 2015. Another six cars have fetched more than $300,000. Given that this car is still showing damage from the barn collapse and there is significant competition in the marketplace, it will be fascinating to see what it sells for.
1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta by Scaglietti
Number made: 1406 Daytonas were produced, including 1269 coupes like this one.
Precedents: Apart from a significant exception when one of the two 365 GTB/4 prototypes went to auction, fetching USD $2,315,000 at RM Sotheby’s during the 2022 Monterey Car Week, prices for the 365 GTB/4 have mainly ranged from $600,000 to $900,000 over the last decade. Only three Daytonas have ever crossed the $1.0 million mark, and that was back in 2015/2016.
1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta by Scaglietti
Number made: The number of 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytonas produced is the same as mentioned above (1406).
Precedents: The price range for this model has been mainly in the $600,000 to $900,000 range for the last decade, with a few exceptions as mentioned earlier.
1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 by Pininfarina
Number made: One of 500 365 GTC/4s produced.
Precedents: The record price for a GTC/4 is $561,000, fetched at Pebble Beach in 2015 by Gooding & Company. However, the top end of this market currently sits in the $300,000 to $350,000 range.
1976 Ferrari 308 GTB ‘Vetroresina’ by Scaglietti
Number made: This car is one of 712 fiberglass-bodied 308 GTBs.
Precedents: The record for a 308 GTB is $357,500 at a 2016 Gooding & Company auction. However, this car, being in need of restoration, will likely sell for less than $250,000.
1977 Ferrari 400 Automatic
Number made: Ferrari produced a total of 355 examples of the Ferrari 400 Automatic.
Precedents: The record price for the 400 Automatic was set by French House Aguttes on March 21, 2021, at EUR €67,662 (USD $79,616).