This impressive collection of Ferrari with almost 30 classic 'cavallinos' goes up for auction, and some could exceed one million euros

The house RM Sotheby's opens its European calendar in style, with an event scheduled for February 2 in the heart of Paris, in which the auction of an incredible collection of no more and no less than 28 Ferraris will take place unique, including historical specimens from both the world of competition and beyond.

Among the cars that will go up for auction, and which are part of the collection of former racing driver Marcel Petitjean, are some truly rare examples that could well exceed one million euros.

A paradise for Prancing Horse lovers

Petitjean's Ferrari collection will be on display to the public days before the auction takes place in the middle of Place Vendôme. It is an idyllic setting for Parisians and lovers of the Modena brand who wish to admire four decades of its history. Among the cars that will be auctioned are models of the stature of the fearsome Ferrari 288 GTO, the charming 250 GT/L Lusso or the elegant Ferrari 275 GTB/4.

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The so-called "The Petitjean Collection" is a unique collection in the world, which the pilot has been creating throughout his life. We review some of the copies that will go on sale.

A Kart whose price could reach 10,000 euros

This kart is a Ferrari suitable for enthusiasts of almost all ages, but not just any height. It has a rabid Briggs & Stratton engine mounted in the rear and that produces 5 CV, more than enough to generate an irremediable crush after the first lap of the circuit.

The specialists of the Bird Corporation of Elkhorn (Nebraska, USA) sign the design of its livery, in the purest style of the Ferrari of the 1980s. It can reach a price of between 5,000 and 10,000 euros.

Replica of the Ferrari F310 with which Michael Schumacher raced

This iconic show car is a static replica (engine and running gear not included) of the F310 used by Michael Schumacher at the age of 25 in his first season for Ferrari in the F1 World Championship and which propelled Scuderia Ferrari to the second place in the World Constructors' Championship standings in 1996.

Esta impresionante colección de Ferrari con casi 30 'cavallinos' clásicos sale a subasta, y algunos podrían superar el millón de euros

This replica, which faithfully reproduces the aesthetics of the racing car of the German driver and his partner Eddie Irvine Jr, was part of the Mougins Automobile Museum before being acquired by Monsieur Petitjean in 2010 and it is estimated that it could reach a value of between 60,000 and 100,000 euros.

Ferrari 250 GT Series II Convertible from 1959

The second generation of the Ferrari 250 GT convertible, went from being inspired by the world of competition to being one of the most famous road models in the history of Ferrari, as it offered its owners all the power of a racing V12 with the refinement typical of a Maranello grand tourer.

This model is number 41 of the only 201 that were manufactured between 1959 and 1962, and under the hood houses an evolved version of the legendary 3-liter "Colombo" V-12. This specimen was rebuilt in 2005 and has been part of the "Petitjean Collection" for 26 years. Due to its rarity, the large number of original parts that it implements and the perfect state of conservation in which this car is found, it could reach a sale price of between 850,000 and 1,100,000 euros.

Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 from 1964 with the Pininfarina stamp

In a way, the history of Ferrari is a constant evolution from the classic to the modern and from the track to the road, and this car is an example of that. It was introduced at the 1964 Brussels Motor Show as a replacement for the Ferrari 330 America, although unlike its predecessor the 330 GT 2+2 featured a new chassis and distinctive Pininfarina bodywork with twin headlights.

Under the hood is the 296-hp 4.0-liter “Colombo” V-12. According to expert Marcel Massini, only 503 Series I were made between 1963 and 1965, making way for the Series II iteration, which already featured individual headlights and restyled air vents. This coveted copy has a "Verde Dark" body color with a beige leather interior.

Although it was owned by a prominent politician, it has been in Petitjean's collection for over 35 years. It is expected to reach a value of between 170,000 and 200,000 euros.

Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso from 1964

"Lusso" means luxury in Spanish. The 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso, which represented the high-end grand tourer model of the Modena brand in the mid-1960s, represented for many Ferrari faithful a high point in design terms in the history of the brand.

With a sharp angular cut design signed by Scaglietti and a crafted body fitted on a tubular steel frame, the Lusso exuded elegance and passion in equal parts. It also marked the end of an era, since the 350 copies built were the last of the iconic Ferrari 250. This unit is the 227th of the total manufactured and retains its original mechanics. Between 900,000 and 1,100,000 euros are expected for him.

The impressive Ferrari 275 GTB/4 that could reach two million euros

Considered by many to be the best Gran Turismo ever built by Ferrari, the 275 GTB/4 was the culmination of nearly two decades of refinement of the V-12 front engine and drew directly from racing experience. By 1966, Ferrari had amassed eight Formula 1 world championships and nine Le Mans victories: it was truly a golden age for the brand.

Pininfarina used the aerodynamic knowledge acquired in the GTO program for the bodywork of this beauty, which compared to its predecessors featured important changes such as the latest 3,286 cc evolution of the immortal V-12 Colombo or the fully independent rear suspension.

Also the introduction of a fully synchromesh five-speed transaxle: a first for Ferrari that helped weight distribution and a concept still used by Ferrari today. The last iteration of the 275 GTB model was the "4 Cam", also known as the 275 GTB/4.

This example, with chassis number 09021, was the first built prototype of this model, which anticipated a production of only 330 examples. It was made available to the specialized press for all kinds of tests and even participated in races and all kinds of events after Petitjean took it over in 1969.

Sotheby's describes this car as a “future winner of Concourses of Elegance” around the world and estimates that it will fetch between 1.7 and 2.0 million euros.

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Just as impressive are other examples of this collection up for auction, such as a curious Ferrari 330 GTC or a most tempting 308 GTB from 1977… Impossible to choose just one!

Undoubtedly, the most powerful collectors in the world will already be rubbing their hands with the long list of jewels on wheels that this collection includes. The rest of us mortals will always have Paris... Or, in this case, it may not hurt to throw in the Euromillion.

Photos: R. M. Sotheby's

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