It appears that the RM Sotheby’s Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato announcement last week was merely an appetiser before the main meal, as the auction house has consigned to its ‘Driven By Disruption’ sale the ex-Works Ferrari 290 MM in which Il Maestro, Juan Manuel Fangio, raced solo to fourth position in the 1956 Mille Miglia (an unusually soaked race which was, incidentally, won by Eugenio Castelotti in the sister car).

One of four 290 MMs built, ‘0626’ was also driven by Phil Hill (another future World Champion) and many other celebrated Ferrari Formula 1 drivers, further adding to its appeal. The car was in the custody of Pierre Bardinon, a renowned Ferrari collector, for almost 34 years, before it was sold to its current owner and it is rare in that it has never been crashed, thus making it one of the most original – and desirable – 1950s Ferrari sports-racers in the world. Boasting matching numbers, the all-important Classiche certification and eligibility to all major historic events, what better car in which to take to the ramp at the Mille Miglia in Brescia next year, 60 years after Il Maestro did the same? It will go under the hammer at the RM Sotheby’s ‘Driven by Disruption’ sale, taking place in New York on 10 December 2015. Perhaps inevitably, the estimate is available only on request, though expect the car to fetch in excess of 28m US dollars.

Photos: Tim Scott Fluid Images © 2015 RM Sotheby's/Alexis Callier Collection