For its first sale as the official auction house of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, at Lake Como on 21 May, RM has already revealed two star attractions: a rare 1955 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta by Pinin Farina, and a sublime 1938 Talbot-Lago T150C-SS Teardrop Coupé with coachwork by Figoni et Falaschi.

The Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta, presented in two-tone ivory and metallic blue, features coachwork by Pinin Farina. Chassis number 0490 AM, it was the last 375 MM built and reportedly the last Ferrari to carry the ‘Mille Miglia’ designation. It appeared on the Ferrari stand at the Turin motor show in 1955, and was afterwards returned to Pinin Farina for a series of minor modifications before being delivered to its first owner: official Ferrari dealer and gentleman race driver, Inico Bernabei. In 2003, it underwent extensive, concours-quality restoration by Wayne Obry’s Motion Products Inc, which returned the car to its Turin motor show specifications. It subsequently won ‘Best in Class’ at Pebble Beach in 2004.

No less stunning is the 1938 Talbot-Lago T150C-SS Teardrop Coupé, chassis 90112, clothed by Figoni et Falaschi. One of just 10 factory-built short-chassis cars, and one of only three surviving examples fitted from new with a factory sunroof, it boasts a seductive teardrop body and a graceful chrome grille concealing the headlights – a classic Figoni detail seen on just a handful of examples. In the early 2000s, the current owners engaged RM Auto Restoration to undertake a complete, faithful restoration. Finished in the correct shade of silver, accented with a subtle grey two-tone, it has since won ‘Best in Class’ and ‘Most Elegant Closed Car’ at Pebble Beach and, in July 2010, ‘Best of Show’ at the Concours d’Elegance of America, at Meadow Brook.

For further event details, see www.rmauctions.com.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: RM Auctions