1953 Ferrari 250 MM Spyder

There were a total of 31 250 MM's constructed and this is number 27th. It was built in 1953 and one of its earliest owners was J.M. Richard Lyeth of Grosse Point Michigan who took possession in January of 1954. Lyeth was the owner of Lyeth Engineering Company. The car was purchased from Briggs S. Cunningham who had purchased it from the Alfed Momo Corporation.

This car wears chassis number 0348 MM and a Vignale body. It has an extensive race history with most of its early campaigns transpiring at Andrews Air Force Base in Omaha, NE. On July 4th, 1954 it wore number 220 and raced at the Omaha Centennial Grand Prix at Offut Air Force Base in Omaha, NE. The car was driven by Lyeth to a seventh-place finish overall and first in class.

Other early races include the Watkins Glen Grand Prix, Lake Erie Grand Prix, Cumberland, Road America, and various other events.

In October 1955 the car was sold to Paul Montcastle of Nashville, TN. A short time later, it was sold to Chuck and Audrey Saffel of Huntsville, Al. In their care, the car was fitted with a headrest and used in USCCA events and hillclimbs.

Since then, the car has been owned by several owners. In 1985 it was treated to a restoration. It was raced in the Mille Miglia in 1987 and also made an appearance at the Meadowbrook Concours d'Elegance that year. It made its first showing at the Pebble Beach Concours in 1988.

In May 1990 it was sold at the Sportscar Geneva auction for $1.9 million. The following year it sold for $1.28 million at the World Vintage Car Tokyo Auction.

It has participated in the 1995 Colorado Grand, the 1997 Rodeo Drive Concours, the 2001 Pebble Beach Concours, and the 2003 Mille Miglia. In 2004 it was sold at the Gooding & Company Pebble Beach auction for $1.5 million. The following month it sold for $1.65 to its current owner. The car is used regularly and has been campaigned in the Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2008