Auction-Bound, Shelby-Driven Ferrari 410 Sport Could Sell for Crazy Money
Maranello has built several very significant sports racers that started life as Scuderia team cars and later became legendary in American privateer circles, but very few of these can compare to the 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport chassis number 0598 CM. It’s the car that propelled Carroll Shelby to national attention, and the most successful racer of the respected John Edgar team back in the 1950s.
We’re telling you this because it will be one of the stars of the RM Sotheby’s auction in Monterey, California from August 18-20. The company is not providing a value estimate, but it’s not unreasonable to think the car could sell into eight figures.
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In addition to Shelby, this 410 Sport was driven by a who’s who of the era’s greatest racing drivers including Juan Manuel Fangio, Phil Hill, Richie Ginther, Masten Gregory, Joakim Bonnier, Bruce Kessler, Jim Rathmann and Chuck Daigh.
It is also incredibly rare, being one of just two factory-campaigned examples that were fitted with the more powerful, twin-plug-per-cylinder version of the 4.9-litre Lampredi V12, Ferrari’s biggest engine ever at the time. At nearly 400 horsepower, it produced 40 horsepower more than the initial pair of 410 Sport customer-delivery Speciales.
Shelby once told the Los Angeles Times, “Nothing can touch this Ferrari if it runs.” Decades later he added, “It was the best Ferrari I ever drove.” He also autographed and wrote a message on the fuel tank that says, “Mr. Ferrari told me that this was the best Ferrari he ever built.”
Over the years, the precious 410 Sport 0598 CM has changed owners a few times and taken part in a large number of prestigious vintage racing and exhibition events worldwide. In late 2012, it was returned to the good hands of Ferrari experts for a complete engine rebuild that took over three years to complete in 2016. The Scaglietti-designed and built body is faithfully presented in its period livery.
The sale is accompanied by the first (1956) and last (1958) trophies won by Shelby driving the 410 Sport 0598 CM, along with the original 1957 Nassau racing license plate. Don’t miss the photo gallery up top for a close look at the car from every angle.