Rare historical cars will star during a unique auction being held at Maranello, Ferrari’s home, on 18 May 2008 featuring some of the best and most famous Ferraris produced during the company’s 61 year history.

A classic Ferrari owned by Hollywood legend, James Coburn, and two Formula One cars driven by Michael Schumacher are the star cars at unique auction being held at Maranello, Ferrari’s home, on 18 May 2008 and they lead a long list of some of the best and most famous Ferraris produced during the company’s 61 year history.

Headlining the list of significant consignments for the single-day the much-anticipated ‘Ferrari: Leggenda e Passione’ auction event is a pair of rare and ultra-desirable California Spyders, a 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe Pinin Farina with celebrity provenance, and a 1951 Ferrari  340 America Coupé with a superlative racing history.

In addition to classic Ferraris, there will also be a selection of newer Ferrari models, and items from one of the world’s most important Ferrari memorabilia collections, Jacques Swaters’ famed Ferrari Francorchamps Collection.

“Our upcoming Ferrari Leggenda e Passione auction is set to be a truly historic and international event, highlighting over 50 years of Ferrari history,” says Max Girardo, Managing Director of RM’s European Operations. “We have received tremendous early interest in the event and have secured a magnificent assortment of consignments, including some of the earliest Ferraris produced, making this a ‘must attend’ event for professional collectors and those with a predilection for the Ferrari marque.”

Headlining the growing list of significant consignments are no less than two rare and ultra-desirable California Spyders – a magnificent 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder, (s/n 0923GT)and a stunning 1961 Ferrari 250GT SWB California Spyder (s/n 2377GT) with celebrity provenance. Completed on March 3, 1961, 2377GT was shipped to the US in the 1960s after being purchased by Academy Award winning actor, James Coburn, who shared a passion for Italian sports cars with close friend and fellow Ferrari enthusiast, the legendary Steve McQueen. Over the course of his 25-year ownership, Coburn was a regular sight in his Spyder, using it as a daily driver to and from the movie studios.

Additionally, on weekends, he, along with McQueen and fellow actor James Garner, could often be found testing their driving abilities through the winding Hollywood hills. Throughout Coburn’s ownership, he repainted the vehicle three times, first in dark blue, followed by silver and finally burgundy; today the car appears in its original black and includes extensive documentation relating to its restoration and maintenance.

Another star attraction with celebrity provenance, and just confirmed for the May auction, is a fabulously restored 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe Pinin Farina (s/n 0265EU).  Fitted with a prototype 3.0-litre 250 type V12 engine, this unique example was purchased new by renowned film director Roberto Rossellini and used on a road trip to Sweden by him and his wife, three-time Academy Award winning actress, Ingrid Bergman.

Also set to cross the block at the Maranello event is a legendary 1951 Ferrari 340 America Ghia Coupe, (s/n 0150A). Regarded as one of the rarest of all early racing Ferraris, this example was the last of four 340 Americas bodied by Carrozzeria Ghia, and the only one with a superlative racing history. Sold new in 1952 to noted Ferrari patron, Antonio “Tony” Paravano, the car was subsequently shipped to California before making its racing debut at Torrey Pines in July 1952, closely followed by an appearance at the grueling Carrera Panamericana in Mexico, where Jack and Ernie McAfee drove it to a respectable fifth place finish.

To coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Ferrari Daytona, the May event will also offer an ultra-collectible, award-winning 1971 Ferrari GTS/4 Daytona Spyder, a fully restored 1971 Daytona Coupe; and a totally original 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, with just one owner from new and 2,500 original miles.

Other significant Ferraris consignments include: An ultra rare, totally original 1950 Ferrari 166/195S Inter Vignale Berlinetta; a meticulously restored 1961 Ferrari 250GT Pininfarina Cabriolet SII; a restored, highly desirable 1962 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Competizione, the first production example and one of just three official Competizione models; a fully restored, concours-winning 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4; and magnificent 1971 Ferrari 512M with extensive racing history, including the only hillclimb win for a 512M at Melgno-Borno.

In addition to the vintage cars, the Maranello auction event will also shine a spotlight on some of Ferrari’s more recent offerings, including: a race-ready 1995 Ferrari 412T2; a 1999 Ferrari 333SP, one of the greatest sports racing cars to have been produced by Ferrari; a pair of factory F1 race cars raced by Michael Schumacher (a 1997 Ferrari F31OB and a 2000 Ferrari F2000); two Ferrari Enzos from the consecutive 2003 and 2004 production years; and a special India Tour model 2008 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. All of the cars attending the event will be certified by Ferrari Classiche.