2017 RM Sotheby’s Monterey Sale (Ferrari 166 Uovo Announcement)

A one-off 1950 Ferrari 166 MM/212 Export ‘Uovo’ is the first car announced for the RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2017 classic car sale in California.

1950 Ferrari 166 MM 212 Export Uovo front quarter — 1950 Ferrari 166 MM/212 Export “Uovo” by Fontana – Remi Dargegen ©2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

RM Sotheby’s secured a stunning egg-shaped 1950 Ferrari 166 MM/212 Export ‘Uovo’ for its flagship Monterey sale scheduled for mid-August 2017. This one-off streamlined Berlinetta, on a Ferrari chassis and drivetrain, was commissioned by Giannino Marzotto from Fontana of Padova and the famous sculptor Franco Reggani. In 1951, the Uovo held the lead of both the Mille Miglia and the Giro di Sicilia before it was forced to retire. It won the Coppa Toscana in 1951. The car was extensively raced in period in especially Italy and the USA.

RM Sotheby’s Monterey Classic Car Auction

Red 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S N.A.R.T Spider — 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S N.A.R.T Spider Photo: Darin Schnabel ©2013 Courtesy of RM Auctions

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Monterey classic car week in mid-August are normally accompanied by the most important classic car auctions of the year. RM Sotheby’s usually have two days of auctions in Monterey.

In 2017, RM Sotheby’s will have its Monterey sale on 18 & 19 August 2017 at the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey, California, USA.

RM Sotheby’s had astounding successes at previous Monterey week sales:

1962 Shelby 260 Cobra “CSX2000” — Darin Schnabel © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

In 2016, RM Sotheby’s grossed $118 million from just over 100 cars – 21 cars were sold for over a million dollar including three that sold for over $10 million and setting new marque records: a 1955 Jaguar D-Type, 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Lungo Spider and a 1962 Shelby 260 Cobra CSX2000 – the most-expensive American car ever.

In 2015, RM Sotheby’s offered around 150 cars and earned a world single auction record of $172,7 million over three days that included 35 cars selling for over a million dollar including four for over ten million dollar.

In 2014, RM Auctions similarly sold 35 cars for over a million dollar including three for over ten million dollar at the Monterey sale. RM’s Monterey week record was set in 2013 when a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*SNART Spider sold for $27,500,000 – still the most-expensive regular road-going car ever.

1950 Ferrari 166 MM/212 Export ‘Uovo’

An eye-catching design, the Ferrari 166 MM/212 Export ‘Uovo, chassis no. 024MB, is the first car announced for RM Sotheby’s flagship Monterey 2017 sale. (Estimate available upon request)

Boasting unique coachwork by Carrozzeria Fontana, and lovingly nicknamed “Uovo” for its distinctive egg-shaped design, the one-off Berlinetta has remained a significant part of Ferrari lore for decades. Giannino Marzotto specifically commissioned Fontana of Padova and the famous sculptor, Franco Reggani, to create the streamlined body style for maximum efficiency and performance.

1950 Ferrari 166 MM 212 Export Uovo at the 1952 Coppa Toscana — © courtesy of Foto Locchi

The resulting ‘Uovo’ bodywork and underlying Ferrari chassis and drivetrain quickly proved competitive. In 1951, the Uovo held the lead of both the Mille Miglia and the Giro di Sicilia before it was forced to retire; it is widely believed that it would have likely won both races had it not been sidelined. Later that year, it ran to victory at the Coppa Toscana, confirming its great engineering. The Uovo’s important period race history also includes a return to Mille Miglia in 1952, as well as countless other events in Italy and California throughout the 1950s.

1950 Ferrari 166 MM 212 Export Uovo front — Remi Dargegen ©2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Acquired by its current owner in 1986, the Uovo has been seldom seen in public view over the past two decades, aside from a brief display at the Museo Enzo Ferrari. Now, offered for the first time in over thirty years, it is set to amaze audiences once again, this time in California, where it will be offered complete with an extensive history file and eligibility for many of the world’s leading vintage racing and concours events.

1950 Ferrari 166 MM 212 Export Uovo rear — Remi Dargegen ©2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’

“It’s thrilling to be able to present a unique and renowned Ferrari, such as the iconic Uovo, in Ferrari’s 70th anniversary year, particularly after 30 years in single ownership,” adds Sabatié-Garat. “We’re excited to also have the opportunity to showcase the car at Rétromobile this week, which is also celebrating Ferrari’s special 70 year milestone.”