Rare 1950 Ferrari 275S/340 Barchetta To Be Auctioned

A rare Ferrari 275S Barchetta dating back to 1950 is to be auctioned next month at RM Sotheby's Monterey Auctions.

This is just one of two examples of 275S Barchettas ever built and one of nine Works-entry Ferrari barchetta models ever produced during the 1950s.

Bearing chassis number 0030 MT, this rare Ferrari made its competitive debut at the Mille Miglia rally back in 1950.

During the Mille Miglia, this car raced alongside another Ferrari, but both cars had to retire unfortunately due to rear axle problems.

Originally, this Ferrari was equipped with a 3.3-litre V12, but the engine was later changed to a 4.1-litre V12 engine from a Ferrari Formula One car after Mille Miglia. It was then displayed at the Salon de l'Automobile in Paris in 1950.

The car later participated in a few selected races and rallies, including the Monaco Grand Prix 1952. The car was then owned by car collector Peter Markowski until 1999, after being imported to the US. Markowski covered over 100,000 miles in the car before parting ways with it to a German car collector under whom the car took part in the 2005 edition of the Mille Miglia.

So a car with so much history and uniqueness like this is expected to fetch a pretty penny. Guesses? Pre auction estimates say it could sell between USD 7.5 to 10 million, making it one of the most expensive cars featured in the auction.