THE damaged shell of a classic Ferrari race car that was found in a destroyed barn has been flogged for an eye-watering £1.5million.
It was left untouched for 45 years before a hurricane in 2004 tore down the barn where it was found with 19 other Ferraris.
BNPSThe car had fire damage after a crash during a race[/caption]
BNPSIt sold at auction for £1.5million[/caption]
The classic 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider Series I was the second of 13 cars built with the Pinin Farina iconic spider framework.
The surviving shell still has its factory-issued chassis plate and its rear axle corners, gearbox and large 3.0 litre Tipo 119 Lampredi inline-four engine.
It has now been sold in Monterey, California during Monterey Car Week at an RM Sotheby auction for $1,875,000 (£1.5million).
The burnt-out car was a part of the “Lost and Found Collection” where the other cars found in the barn also went on sale.
It’s understood the buyer is set to restore the car so it is able to race again.
The motor was sold by Enzo Ferrari to Franco Cornacchia in 1954 where it started its racing life under driver Franco Cortese in the Coppa della Toscana finishing second in class.
The car had more success at the 1954 Mille Miglia where it finished fourth in class and eighth at the Imola Grand Prix.
It was painted an iconic Ferrari Rosso Corsa red with a Similpelle Beige vinyl interior.
The car was shipped to the United States in 1958 and raced until the early 60s before it crashed at an unknown race and burst into flames.
Walter Medlin bought it in 1978 and left it in its damaged condition in a barn until Hurricane Charley caused it to partially collapse, leaving the shell and 19 other Ferraris to be found.
It was sold with the original colour copies of the factory build sheets for $1,875,000 on August 17.
An RM Sotheby’s spokesman said: “It was offered for the first time in nearly 50 years, making for an ideal restoration project.
“Once properly refurbished, the spider promises to deliver the thrilling driving experience of Aurelio Lampredi’s inline-four – that diminutive power plant responsible for so many victories by the Scuderia Ferrari.”
RM Sotheby’s sold another 1954 Ferrari Mondial Spider by Pinin Farina for over $4million in 2019 as it was in near-perfect condition.
BNPSThe car was driven by Franco Cortese and had success in several races[/caption]
BNPSThe shell was left untouched for 45 years[/caption]
BNPSThe car has a 3.0 litre Tipo 119 Lampredi inline-four engine[/caption]