1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series I Spider (coachwork by Pinin Farina)
- Engine
- 1,984cc DOHC all-alloy inline-four, twin Weber DCO carburetors, ~160 bhp at 6,500 rpm
- Colour
- Deep blue (original livery)
Chassis 0438MD is a 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series I Spider bodied by Pinin Farina, the eleventh of twelve first-series examples built. Factory-completed in mid-1954, it was acquired new by Dominican diplomat and playboy Porfirio Rubirosa and campaigned on the American West Coast racing circuit, where it was subsequently driven by Phil Hill and Richie Ginther under John von Neumann's ownership. Comprehensively restored by Ferrari Classiche and carrying full Red Book certification, the car earned a First in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Ownership
- 2019-01-17Auction saleEstimate US$5,000,000 – US$6,000,000
- 1954-07-01 →Factory deliveryPorfirio Rubirosafull documentation
Purchased new from the factory, temporarily registered with Bologna plates, then shipped to New York and flown to Santa Barbara for Labor Day racing. Painted deep blue rather than traditional Italian red.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJohn von Neumannpartial documentation
West Coast Ferrari figure who was associated with the car alongside drivers Phil Hill and Richie Ginther.
Competition
- 1954-09-041954 Santa Barbara Labor Day RacesDriver: Porfirio Rubirosa2nd in class
Rubirosa debuted the car at this event, running it in its distinctive deep blue livery. Zsa Zsa Gabor was present in the paddock.
- —Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance1st in Class
The car received a class-winning award at Pebble Beach following its comprehensive Ferrari Classiche restoration.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationFerrari Classiche
Comprehensive restoration carried out by Ferrari Classiche to a high standard, culminating in full Red Book certification and a supporting report by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini.
Engine number 110 is confirmed as a Ferrari Classiche-certified unit. A substantial history file including period photographs accompanies the car.
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