1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider
Ferrari developed a new car to contest the 1955 Carrera Panamericana. Adding to a disappointing season that year, the race was canceled midway through development of the car. Four examples of the program's 410 S were built, with the last two fitted with purpose-built racing engines and chassis and campaigned in 1956 as factory entries. Coming to Southern California via Chicago, Tony Parravano made a fortune in real estate and put his earnings towards racing. When the 410 Sport pictured here was put up for private sale, Parravano bought it and immediately put it to use. Carroll Shelby drove the car to victory in 1956 at the Palm Springs Road Races in his final race with Parravano's team. A tax issue caused Pavarrano to flee to Mexico in 1957, taking just a few of his cars with him, where it was eventually sold in Mexico City. In 1971 it returned to the US, remaining for 37 years until being sold to a German collector. This important early Ferrari race car will go to auction via RM Sotheby's during their Monterey Car Week event in August.