When Ferrari’s Fortieth-anniversary supercar, the F40, turned an unlimited, acclaimed success, the corporate’s engineers acknowledged that the upcoming fiftieth anniversary would require one thing much more superlative. 4 years of growth have been invested right into a devoted street automotive that may have characteristically robust ties to Ferrari’s then-current racing expertise, together with the chassis design, based on a light-weight carbon fiber tub. Pininfarina’s designers outdid themselves with curvaceous coachwork, molded from carbon fiber, Kevlar, and Nomex, that evoked Maranello’s most legendary sports-racers of the Nineteen Fifties and Nineteen Sixties, whereas additionally bearing a detailed resemblance to their Method 1 entrants of the trendy period.
The latter was no coincidence, because the engine carried on this spectacular creation was the sort F130B V-12 that had begun life in Ferrari’s 1992 Method 1 automotive, and underwent additional growth within the 4-liter 333 SP sports activities automotive, which received quite a few drivers’ and constructors’ championships in IMSA GT and FIA sports activities automotive racing between 1995 and 2001. With an enlarged 4.7-liter displacement, but detuned for extra cheap revving and tractable street manners, the high-compression V-12 within the F50 developed 513 horsepower and 347 pound-feet of torque. The end result was otherworldly efficiency, as confirmed by Street & Monitor journal, whose editors discovered the automotive might speed up from 0–60 mph in 3.6 seconds and obtain a prime pace of 202 mph. The return to earthbound speeds was offered by monstrous Brembo brakes with large rotors, anchored by aluminum pistons. Further competition-derived particulars included a racing-style gas bladder and LCD devices, in a dashboard that may not have appeared misplaced on the Mulsanne Straight.
Not only a mere “supercar,” a time period that even within the mid-Nineties was starting to undergo from overuse, it was as close to as one might come to a contemporary F1 automotive for the road—however with leather-trimmed seats, air-con, and adjustable trip top.
Ferrari ensured the mannequin’s rarity and desirability by producing simply 349 numbered examples—so it’s mentioned, one fewer than they thought they might promote—by means of 1998. It turned a favourite of marque-focused collectors and is now thought of one of many vital elements of the illustrious “Huge 5” hypercar portfolio that probably the most devoted tifosi construct for his or her stables.
CHASSIS NUMBER 103921
The F50 supplied right here was the forty seventh numbered F50 constructed, and, considerably, certainly one of simply 55 US-delivery examples. Accomplished on 21 December 1995, it was offered by means of Ferrari of Houston to Dahr Jamail of Houston, Texas, who instantly had it refinished from the unique Rosso Corsa to his most popular Azzurro California.
By 1998 the automotive had been acquired by Mark Rand, who that 12 months introduced it to the Texas Motor Speedway in the course of the F355 Problem races. It was returned to the unique and proper Rosso Corsa—by Ferrari of Houston, the identical store that had first refinished it—and offered in 2004 to actor and outstanding fanatic, Nicolas Cage, however the next 12 months transacted once more to Alex Papas of Arizona. Papas exhibited the automotive on the Ferrari Membership of America (FCA) Arizona Area Concours d’Magnificence in Phoenix in 2007, profitable a Platinum award, then the next 12 months introduced it to Bahrain for exhibition together with 19 different special-invitation Ferraris on the Bahrain Ferrari Classics on the Sahkir Tower-Bahrain Worldwide Circuit.
It was subsequently marketed in 2008 and 2009 by Mike Haber of Pennsylvania, and offered at the moment to Lewis N. Brown, additionally of Pennsylvania. Brown displayed the automotive on the Cavallino Traditional in 2010, receiving one other Platinum award, then on the Panamerican Concours in Coral Gables, Florida, by which period it was memorably registered in Florida as “F50 F1.” The automotive was offered in 2014 to Dr. Daxes M. Banit of Warner Robins, Georgia, then in 2021 to the present proprietor, a widely known Southern fanatic and sports activities automotive connoisseur, in addition to a religious F50 proprietor. Most not too long ago the automotive was displayed but once more on the Cavallino Traditional in Palm Seashore in 2023, the place it acquired its third Platinum award.
Accompanying the automotive are its unique books and guarantee doc, the whole unique software and bulb/belt/fuse kits of their black leather-based circumstances, the unique inflator equipment and wheel-nut socket with circumstances, six units of keys, and the all-important Pink Guide, testifying to its Ferrari Classiche Certification and confirming the presence of its unique elements, together with its unique US-specification exhaust, issued in 2023.
Additionally included are the unique F50 dedication e-book in its corduroy sleeve, an unique factory-produced photograph album in its case, an unique three-piece baggage set with yellow Ferrari mud covers, crimson Ferrari seat and steering wheel covers with bag, the Barchetta prime and roll bars, and the unique “flight field” with the hardtop and leather-based {hardware} pouch inside—primarily all that one would want to discover with an awesome F50. The automotive can also be accompanied by periodic, common upkeep data from its prior and present house owners, together with for upkeep repeatedly carried out between 1996 and 2004 at Ferrari of Houston, and for a 2009 main engine-out service at Algar Ferrari.
An impressive instance of its kind, with 8,556 miles on the time of cataloging and full with unique equipment, this well-known, thrice-Platinum-awarded F50 is deserving of the best assortment.
This automobile will probably be supplied at RM Sotheby’s 27th annual Monterey sale, happening 15-17 August throughout Monterey Automobile Week. Study extra, view all heaps on provide, and register to bid on-line at RMSothebys.com.
