Equipment
RHD. Painted Borrani wire wheels, Excelsior tires, full racing screen, covered headlights, low air intake, center rear fuel filler, spare tire clearance hump on the rear deck, hard passenger's seat tonneau cover, Ferrari Classiche Red Book certified, inte
Condition
Originally to Porfirio Rubirosa in California then sold to John von Neumann and raced by him, Ginther, Hill and others with good results including being photographed with James Dean at Santa Barbara in 1955. Subsequently owned by Dick Merritt, Ed Niles and others. Engine pulled for a Chevy, later with 3 liter 750 Monza engine. Restored by Ferrari Classiche in 2013-2015 with a reproduction of the original 500 Mondial engine with the original gearbox, rear axle and suspension. Excellent paint and interior. The chassis and engine compartment are like new. Above reproach in all respects.
Market commentary
Offered by Poulain-Sotheby's at Monaco in 2001 with a 750 Monza engine where it was a no-sale at $653,774, the character of this Mondial has been completely changed by the Ferrari Classiche restoration and the new-old-style 2-liter engine. The obvious comparable is Admiral Phillips' 500 Mondial Series II (s/n 0556MD/0446MD) last August at Gooding's Pebble Beach auction at $5.005 million, but that had its original engine. The result here reflects a dichotomy between s/n 0438MD's superb presentation and its compromised restoration by Ferrari Classiche. The offer here was modest; the estimate range was ambitious. Somewhere in the middle lies a compromise.