Raced by the ‘Big Three’ of American driver talent: 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spider
The 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spider, chassis no. 0510M, represents an important piece of Ferrari competition
history, and was one of the most rewarding sports racers of its era. A superlative example of the breed,
0510M boasts a significant American racing provenance having been successfully campaigned in period by
the ‘Big Three’ of the American racing scene - Phil Hill, Carroll Shelby and Jim Hall.
Sold new to Allen Guiberson of Dallas, Texas, who owned and campaigned multiple early Ferraris, 0510M
was finished in the distinctive color combination of white with a dark blue triangle stretching from the car’s
nose to its windshield. The car retained this unique color scheme for the 1955 season, where it achieved great
success at the hands of some of motor racing’s great drivers. Among highlights were a 2nd overall at its debut
event, the 12 Hours of Sebring, with Phil Hill and Carroll Shelby behind the wheel, closely followed by a 1st
place finish for the Del Monte Trophy at the Pebble Beach road races in April 1955. At the end of the 1955
season, 0510 M was sold to brothers Richard “Dick” Hall and Jim Hall, who continued to campaign the car to
strong finishes through 1956, including 1st overall at Pebble Beach with Carroll Shelby at the helm.
Prior to the start of the 1957 season, Jim Hall purchased the car outright from his brother, continuing to
successfully race the car, mainly in his home state of Texas. After its retirement from the racing scene,
0510M remained carefully preserved in storage with Hall for nearly 40 years, before being expertly restored in
the mid-1990s. This process saw the car return to its former glory, including its recognizable blue and white
livery. It has since been a popular sight at various car events around the country, including the 1997 Monterey
Historics, where it appeared as part of a tribute to Carroll Shelby, and later, the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours
d’Elegance, where it was part of a special display honoring Phil Hill and Sir Stirling Moss.
Offered complete with its original drivetrain, 0510M comes to market following an incredible 60 years in the
ownership of Jim Hall. Monterey is considered a highly fitting location for the car’s sale following its earlier
success at the Pebble Beach road races, and display at some of the area’s most prominent car events (Est.
$4,000,000 - $5,500,000).
“A fantastic piece of motorsport history, chassis 0510M is likely the most original 750 Monza in existence; its
provenance and importance are second to none,” states Jack Boxstrom, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s.
“While many four-cylinder Ferrari sports racers fell to the crucible of motorsport or general neglect following
their racing careers, this particular example has been incredibly preserved. It’s highly successful competition
history—which includes three legends of American racing—coupled with its superb condition, and the fact it
is offered directly by its owner of 60 years, no less, one of the drivers who campaigned it in period, place it in
a class of its own.”
An American legend for the road: 1966 Ford GT40 Mk I
The American-raced Monza will be joined at RM’s Monterey sale by another stateside performance legend
with its roots in racing and Carroll Shelby behind its success; the 1966 Ford GT40 Mk I, chassis no. P/1057.
Ferrari had long-dominated the racetrack, and after a failed bid to acquire the Italian manufacturer, Ford’s
desire to dethrone the vaunted Scuderia was only heightened. Ford did just that in 1966, with the Ford GT40
campaigned by none other than Shelby American claiming victory at Le Mans for four consecutive years.
When the GT40 entered Mark I production, 50 examples were required to meet FIA homologation, 31 of which
were destined for the street. Chassis no. P/1057 was born a road car and has remained so ever since, though
the specification implies little drop-off in performance from its racing siblings. Elevating its rarity, the featured
GT40 was one of 20 cars allocated to Ford’s Promotion and Disposal Program when new, and one of seven
road cars consigned to Shelby American for retail.
Originally sold to Nick Nero of Kansas City, Missouri, P/1057 spent the better part of its first decade as a
daily driver under a handful of private owners, before entering hibernation in the early 1970s. In 1984, the car
was acquired by well-known and highly respected GT40 restorer Robert Ash, who undertook a thorough,
exacting restoration, right down to cleaning up the factory-issued hoses and spark-plug wires, and
reconditioning the original carburetors and unusual competition-style 180-degree crossover exhaust. After
appearances at several niche events, P/1057 was sold to its current gentleman owner in 1991, and has since
been carefully maintained as part of one of the most astute collections in the U.S., the vendor thoroughly
enjoying using the car as it was intended—on the open road. With single ownership for the past 25 years and
having never been offered publicly, this exceptional GT40 comes to Monterey recently serviced for continued
roadworthiness, including a rebuild of its original engine (Est. $3,250,000 - $3,750,000).
“The GT40’s caretaker of the last quarter century attests to the fact that while rated at 400+ hp, the car’s
legendary Ford V-8 engine actually develops closer to 425-450 hp. It comes on strong up until 3,000 rpm,
after which its race-bred pedigree really shows,” says Shelby Myers, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s. “A truly
exhilarating drive, its next enthusiast owner won’t be disappointed when they get behind the wheel.”
The 750 Monza and the GT40 Mk I join an exceptional roster of 100 blue-chip collector cars slated for RM
Sotheby’s 2016 Monterey sale. A tradition spanning more than 30 years, the annual RM auction returns to
the Portola Hotel & Spa and Monterey Conference Center, August 19-20 during the Pebble Beach Concours
d’Elegance week.
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