The line-up of classic Ferraris choreographed by RM Sotheby’s for its Villa Erba auction could double up as a summary of the highpoints of the Italian marque’s history. Alongside the aforementioned Cal’ Spider, auctioneer Max Girardo will also lift the gavel on a 1950 Ferrari 195 Inter Berlinetta, a 1952 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta, a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione, a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II and a 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso – and those are only a few of the significant Maranello machines to be offered. Also of note is a gathering of the company’s supercars, from a 288 GTO through to the Enzo; and it’s not often that a 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ doesn’t make it into the list of headline lots.

One of 16 – and possibly the best?

One of only 16 open-headlight California Spiders built, the SWB car – chassis 2505 GT – was the recipient of a recent, ‘concours-quality’ restoration at Ferrari Classiche, and was thereafter driven by the company president at the time, Luca di Montezemolo, on a parade lap at the 2010 Ferrari Challenge World Finals. It’s also been displayed at the Ferrari museum and at various events (including the 2013 Villa d’Este concours), so it’ll come as little surprise that the estimate is available on request only.

Photos: RM Sotheby's