RM Sotheby's Announces The Incredible Aurora Collection

April 11, 2023 by RM Sothebys

A Swedish single-owner collection featuring some of the finest Ferraris to be found anywhere in the world and offered entirely without reserve

• The collection includes a remarkable selection of historic and modern supercars, all set to be sold at RM Sotheby's Villa Erba sale on 20 May without reserve

• Important examples include a 1956 Ferrari 500 TR Spider by Scaglietti, a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta by Scaglietti, a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 by Scaglietti, a 1973 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider by Scaglietti, and a 2019 Ferrari Monza SP1

• There are also two spectacular Mercedes-Benzes on offer from the collection, including a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing and a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Roadster

• Further information can be found at rmsothebys.com

RM Sotheby's is delighted to announce the astonishing Aurora Collection, which spans a remarkable 68 years of automotive history and encompasses a truly remarkable selection of significant Ferraris. The collection has largely been hidden from the public eye in Sweden and has never been displayed nor shown at any concours event and is therefore an exciting opportunity for any serious collector. Many examples boast exceptional histories and low mileages, making them rare finds in the marketplace. The entire collection is offered without reserve.

One of the centrepieces of the collection is the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta by Scaglietti, a model regarded by many as one of the most beautiful sports GT cars ever created. The example offered is number 62 of 165 built and was the last SWB built in the 1960 body style. First delivered new to US West Coast Ferrari dealer MCM Modern Classic Motors of Reno, the car later featured in the 1968 film The Love Bug. In more recent years, the SWB was Ferrari Classiche certified in October 2008. Today, the car is known to retain its matching-numbers chassis and engine according to factory records. The model is unquestionably one of the most significant GT racers of all time and is coveted by collectors and enthusiasts throughout the world (Estimate: €7,500,000 - €8,500,000).

Joining the 250 GT SWB at the centre of the collection is an incredible 1956 Ferrari 500 TR Spider by Scaglietti. Boasting extensive race history in period, including a class win and 4th place in the 1957 Helsinki Grand Prix, this is example number 3 of the mere 17 that were built. Although this example has not been seen for over a decade, this 500 TR was campaigned at various historic events in the 1980s, including the 1982 Mille Miglia Storica and the 1984 Targa Florio Storica, and has appeared in a number of Grand Prix de Monaco Historique races, as well as rounds of the Shell Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge. This incredible, Lampredi-powered masterpiece has resided in the consignor's collection since 2011 (Estimate: €4,000,000 - €4,500,000).

Anders Bilidt, Car Specialist, Scandinavia, says: 'This is arguably one of the finest single-owner collections in Europe to come to the public market and reaffirms RM Sotheby's reputation as the pre-eminent auction house for selling high-value single-owner collections. Boasting a selection of Ferraris and two Mercedes-Benzes, the pure quality of the individual cars is what makes The Aurora Collection so special.'

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The 1973 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider by Scaglietti is an incredibly special example of the ultimate 1970s open-top Ferrari. As one of only 122 factory-built Daytona Spiders, this example is remarkable for having been acquired new by the consignor and its very sparing use in the 50 years since. Today, the car's odometer reads a meagre 3,862 miles, and so this car presents an almost unrepeatable opportunity. The car retains its matching-numbers chassis, engine, and transaxle, according to factory records, and is offered in its original colour of Marrone. The car was certified by Ferrari Classiche in November 2011 and is estimated at €2,500,000 - €3,000,000.

It can be said no true Ferrari collection is complete without a 275, and the 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 by Scaglietti is a beautiful example. Delivered new to Rome, Italy, the car went on to spend much of the first part of its life in San Jose, USA. Acquired by the current owner in 2011, the 'Four-Cam' was certified by Ferrari Classiche in September 2014 and is confirmed to retain its original chassis, engine, and transaxle. The car presents beautifully and is estimated at €2,700,000 - €3,200,000.

To complete the ultimate 275 pairing, the collection features a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS by Pininfarina, which was delivered new to the US to importer Luigi Chinetti Motors. Today, it retains its original chassis, engine, and transaxle. Arguably one of the prettiest open-top Ferraris ever made, the Ferrari Classiche-certified car is estimated at €1,300,000 - €1,700,000. Further stylish open-top motoring is available courtesy of a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II by Pininfarina, which was also delivered new to Luigi Chinetti Motors. A beautiful example that retains its matching-numbers body, chassis, and engine, this is number 145 of the mere 200 that were built. The car was awarded Ferrari Classiche certification in February 2013 (Estimate: €1,000,000 - €1,400,000).

But not all the Ferraris in The Aurora Collection herald from the 1950s through to 70s. A number of fabulous modern-era cars are offered, headlined by a 2019 Ferrari Monza SP1. The SP1 is a limited-production model and forms part of the 'Icona' series, inspired by heritage Ferrari racing cars. With only 25 kilometres on its odometer, this is arguably the finest example available to the market and the first example to come to auction. This carbon fibre-clad hypercar featuring a 6.5-litre V-12 that produces 799 horsepower is the ultimate in driver-focused performance and is estimated at €2,500,000 - €3,000,000.

One of the rarest Ferraris of the modern era is the 2011 Ferrari SA Aperta. Produced to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Pininfarina, this example is powered by the GTO-derived 6.0 V-12 and is one of only 80 produced. Fully accompanied by its owner's manuals, fitted luggage, and toolkit, the car is offered with close-to-delivery mileage, showing only 209 kilometres on the odometer. The car was awarded Ferrari Classiche while still in the Maranello factory in 2010. (Estimate: €1,000,000 - €1,400,000)

The Ferraris within the collection are rounded off by a 2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina, being one of 448 examples made and offered in Rosso Corsa over a black and red leather interior. With only 901 kilometres showing on the odometer at the time of cataloguing, it is estimated at €250,000 - €320,000. Also offered is a 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello in Blue Pozzi over Cuoio (Estimate: €100,000 - €150,000); a 1986 Ferrari Testarossa that shows just 3,420 kilometres at the time of cataloguing and is estimated to sell for between €150,000 - €200,000; and a 2002 Ferrari 360 Spider (Estimate: €75,000 - €125,000).

However, it is not just Ferraris on offer from The Aurora collection, with there being two equally as exceptional examples from Mercedes-Benz. An unquestionable cornerstone of any serious collection, and unquestionably one of the most sought-after collector cars of any era, is a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing. The collection features a beautiful 1955 example presented in classic silver that is estimated at €1,200,000 - €1,500,000. This is complemented by a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Roadster, another beautiful, fuel-injected Mercedes from the mid-1950s which provides comfortable and refined touring capability (Estimate: €600,000 - €800,000).

For further information on RM Sotheby's Villa Erba Auction, please visit rmsothebys.com.