BLENHEIM, ONTARIO.- A rare and highly original 1953 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupé by Vignale (s/n 0267 EU), which surfaced from a Mid-Western garage last week over 25 years after it was first parked, is set to cross the auction podium in Northern Florida, March 12, as part of RM Auctions’ annual Amelia Island sale.

Considered one of the most original examples in existence, the early production Ferrari 212 Inter Coupé by Vignale, chassis number 0267 EU, is joined by one of the three 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico Berlinettas, chassis number 0224 AT as the latest feature attractions for RM’s March 12 sale. Offered from the same owner, the upcoming auction represents the first time each has come to market in over three decades.

“We are honored to have been selected to present these important Ferraris at our upcoming Amelia Island sale by their current long-term owner. Offered for the first time in decades, each boasts a fascinating provenance and we expect their upcoming sale will incite significant interest from the global collector car community,” says RM Car Specialist Gord Duff, who was responsible for securing the cars for the company’s upcoming auction.

One of just six examples bodied by Vignale, the 1953 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupé, chassis number 0267 EU, was displayed at the Turin Motor Show in 1953 before being sold to its first owner, well-known French collector Jean-Louis Lafourcade. In 1959, 0267 EU was imported to England, where it remained up until it was purchased by its current long-term owner, a respected collector and Ferrari enthusiast in 1977. Since the mid-1980s, 0267 EU sat untouched in a private garage in America’s Mid-West, emerging for the first time in decades just last week (January 28). Presented in very original condition, with the exception of its paint which was returned to its original color scheme of black with a green roof and fins in 1979, it will be presented in ‘as is’ condition at RM’s upcoming Amelia Island sale. (Estimate: $375,000 - $500,000).

“We’ve recently witnessed some very strong prices for original, low-production examples and expect that 0267 EU will follow suit,” Duff adds. “A very original car – and one of the last unrestored examples of its kind – it is truly a rare find and presents a very special ownership opportunity, likely never to be duplicated.”

The remarkable 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico Berlinetta, s/n 0224 AT, is also expected to garner significant attention from collectors when it crosses the RM auction stage on March 12. One of only three Berlinettas built, it boasts an impressive competition history having been successfully campaigned at a number of the world’s most prestigious racing events. Most significantly, 0224 AT was piloted by famed racing driver Luigi Chinetti and Jean Francis to an impressive third overall finish at the grueling 1952 Carrera Panamericana; it was the only one of the three 340 Mexico coupés entered in the legendary Mexican road race to finish. It was also raced in period at the 1953 Mille Miglia, guaranteeing its future entry into the famed Mille Miglia retrospective. Purchased by its current owner in 1979, 0224 AT comes to market following long-term display at the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum in Indiana. (Estimate: $2,750,000 - $3,500,000).

Duff comments, “The 340 Mexico also presents an exclusive ownership opportunity. As the only one of the three coupés purpose-built for the Carrera Panamericana to finish the race, its significance in the history books is clearly established. Add to that a racing pedigree that includes Luigi Chinetti and you have a provenance that is second to none.”

The two historic Ferraris lead an exciting roster of no less than five other important examples from the Modenese Prancing Horse for RM’s March 12 sale, reinforcing the company’s reputation as the global leader in the presentation of historic and important Ferraris at auction (RM currently holds seven of the top 10 auction records for the marque). Other notable entries include: a spectacular, fully-restored 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS, the epitome of Italian Supercar styling of its era (Est. $650,000 - $800,000); and a Classiche-certified 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Boano Berlinetta, s/n 0673 GT, the second last Boano built (Est. $550,000 - $650,000).

In addition to the Ferraris, additional auction highlights include:

• a rare Zagato-bodied 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Spider (Est. $1,100,000 - $1,500,000);
• a beautifully restored 1908 Oldsmobile Limited, the earliest known Limited and the only surviving 1908 (Est. $600,000 - $900,000);
• a Motorama 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Town Car Prototype (Est. $500,000 - $750,000);
• a 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra presented in lovely ‘barn find’ condition (Est. $500,000 - $600,000); and,
• a handsome 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL ‘Gullwing’ (Est. $575,000 - $675,000).

Held in conjunction with the world-renowned Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, RM’s Amelia Island sale returns to Northern Florida, March 12. In total, the sale will present 100 investment-quality automobiles joined by a select series of vintage motorcycles.