1995 F512M. Ultra low mileage, spectacular condition, totally original as delivered.

Being offered in RM/Sotheby's upcoming auction in London next Wednesday the 7th September as lot #116 is my "time capsule" 1995 F512M. Showing just 3,955km (2,458 miles) on the odometer, verified by registration documents, the car is in completely original condition as delivered in 1995. Finished in the unusual Rosso Barchetta with black leather the car presents exactly as it did in 1995. Sporting its original 1994/1995 date coded tires, all original inspection marks in the engine bay, original noise insulation foam, and hand written inspection stickers on the headlights dated 1995 the car is likely the best preserved, untouched example extant. Here is a link to the auction webpage:

1995 Ferrari F512 M | London 2016 | RM Sotheby's

For someone looking for a truly original, untouched, unmolested car, it does not get any better than this. I will be more than happy to answer any questions that potential bidders may have.

Kind regards
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Thank you for all of the great comments. To answer a few questions:

The car has never had a major as the previous custodian felt that by removing the engine for the service, many of the original inspection marks etc. would be lost. It has not been done to preserve the total originality of the car. Having said that, the car has been incredibly pampered for its 21 years. Always stored in a temperature and moisture controlled enviroment. Started and run up to temperature once a month, as well as having all fluids replaced on an annual basis. This is the reason why the tires and the underhood foam insulation still look like the day they were installed.

To illustrate how much effort was put into preserving the car I would like to use the example of the underhood foam insulation. Anyone who has experience with these cars can attest to how rare it is to see the foam still intact and not crumbling or dried out. It might sound utterly ridiculous to focus on such a seemingly insignificant point as the condition of some under hood foam insulation, but it serves as a testament and proof as to how well this car was stored and maintained. When the car was run up to temperature each month, the engine cover with the foam was opened so that the heat would not adversely affect the insulation. The engine was then allowed to cool before the cover would be shut again so as to not damage the foam. That is how fanatically this car has been cared for. This car is not just about a low number on the odometer, but about someone having the foresight to store, maintain, and not compromise any of the cars originality.

The first owner of the car had it for just about one year before it was sold on to the 2nd owner who owned it for the next 18 years. I was able to acquire the car just about 1.5 years ago. This car has been known to me since its very first delivery in 1995, and I feel I have been incredibly lucky to own it and look after it for even just a short time. I have spent hours going over the car, and noting finishes, inspection marks and so forth.

I completely agree with the comment about its condition being bittersweet. I absolutely love all of my cars, and drive them as much as I can. Indeed my blue F512M has over 50,000km and is a blast. I also think it is important to have cars that are as original as possible to serve as reference points for judging etc. Although these cars are only ~20 years old, there will come a time when they begin to be restored/repaired and a car such as this one will be an invaluable reference for all Ferrari afficionados.

As before, I am more than happy to answer any further questions that people may have.

Regards

 

Thank you all again for all fo the kind words. I wanted to address a few more of the questions/comments that have been raised.

Importing the car to Canada would be absolutely no problem. Importing the car into the US before the year 2020 is likely going to be quite difficult outside of a "show and display" exemption.

Those who have commented about the estimate appearing low are very much correct. I will try to explain some of the reasoning behind this. First, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the car at all. It is completely, 100% as described, and this becomes apparent even after a cursory inspection. In deciding an estimate range, many factors need to be assesed. One very major factor is the lead time required to get a car into the auction and allow time for the catalogue description to be written etc. This occurs anywhere from two to three months before the auction. Considering that timing, there were many large unknowns including the Brexit vote (and its potential impact on foreign exchange rates for those who would take the Sterling proceeds and convert them into another currency) as well as Pebble Beach that needed to be considered. Set the estimates too high and you could be looking at a very low sell through rate which would be bad for all involved. Setting the estimates on the low side helps to ensure a better sell through rate, but at the risk of a car potentially selling cheaply. This is where the expertise of the auction house comes in.

I can not say enough good things about all of the people at RM/Sotheby's. From top to bottom they are fantastic to work with, professional, and true car enthusiasts. As a consignor, agreeing to a low estimate is taking a very big risk, and one that many consignors refuse to do. In my case I very much believe in the RM team, and their ability to market the car to the correct audience and bring the biggest potential pool of buyers to the auction venue on the day. For this particular car I felt it was special enough that the best way to maximise the selling price was to put it in an auction setting.

At the end of the day it all comes down to the risk appetite of the consignor. I believe in the car, I believe in the RM team, and I believe that there will be at least two people there on the day that agree, and bid the car to a level that is appropriate for what it is. If the car sells at the low end of the estimate range, then so be it. Hopefully it goes to someone that will appreciate it, enjoy it, and continue to preserve it for future generations to enjoy.

As a collector and enthusiast as opposed to a dealer, I don't need to maximise the selling price as I am not in the business of buying and selling cars for a profit. As the saying goes: a good deal is one where the seller gets more than expected and the buyer pays less than expected. Fingers crossed for that result Wednesday evening in London.

Regards

 

Just about 24 hours until crunch time! Get ready to bid often and bid high!!

Regards

 

Just about 4 hours to go. A final bump to bring out the bidders.

Regards