Automotive history is filled with remarkable discoveries, but few are as exciting as finding a forgotten Ferrari after decades of silence. Rare Italian sports cars hidden in private garages, long-term storage, and carefully guarded collections can reveal fascinating stories about racing, royal ownership, factory development, and the golden age of Maranello. When these cars finally return to public attention, their originality and documented histories can make them even more desirable to collectors.
Some of the most fascinating examples come from the famous Lost & Found Collection, where twenty historic Ferraris remained hidden for more than three decades. The group included competition cars, exclusive grand tourers, and specially built models connected to notable owners. Their discovery offered enthusiasts a rare opportunity to see important Ferraris that had effectively disappeared from the automotive world, with several eventually heading to auction through RM Sotheby’s.
1. 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider Series I
Constructed in March 1954, this incredibly rare Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider Series I started its life as a Rosso Corsa with a Similpelle Beige vinyl interior. The record shows that this Ferrari was sold to Franco Cornacchia of Scuderia Guastalla for his Ferrari teammate and former Ferrari factory driver Franco Cortese to drive. With Cortese and his co-driver Perruchini at the wheel, the Ferrari achieved 14th place overall and fourth place in its class at the 1954 Mille Miglia race, and then competed at the 1956 Targa Florio after getting rebodied by Scaglietti.
1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Highlights:
- Built in March 1954
- Raced in the 1954 Mille Miglia
- Fourth in class at the Mille Miglia
- Later rebodied by Scaglietti
- Sold for $1,875,000
The uniqueness of the car comes from its authentic competition background and its lengthy journey in Ferrari’s early racing history. Despite many years in storage that turned the chassis of the car into a weather-beaten relic, this did not detract from its unique history and increased its appeal to collectors. Having raced twice in major events with its factory driver as its pilot and with several other historical milestones, the 500 Mondial became one of the most historically significant Ferraris in the collection. The result of $1.875 million obtained in the auction in Monterey proved this point well.
2. 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale
This amazing 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale is one of four coupes that Pinin Farina manufactured with Superamerica-style coachwork in 1956. This is one of only three specimens of the car without fender vents, as well. Finished in May 1956, chassis 0469 GT had a two-tone Celeste body with a Nero roof and Naturale leather interior, and Ferrari originally sold it to King Mohamed V of Morocco, thus providing the car with a highly distinguished provenance.
1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale Highlights:
- One of four Pinin Farina coupes
- One of only three without fender vents
- Chassis number 0469 GT
- Originally owned by King Mohamed V
- Sold for $1,655,000
Despite many years of its storage in private collections, the Ferrari maintained numbers matching engine and even some remnants of its original color scheme, making it quite an attractive restoration candidate. Unique coachwork, royal provenance, and limited production make this car an item that goes way beyond the mechanical specification of 250 GT family members. Thus, having emerged after many years in hiding as an important part of the collection, the Ferrari got its $1.655 million hammer price at the auction.
3. 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy
Appearing for the first time to the public on Ferrari stand at the XLVII Torino Motor Show, this 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB is one of the most historical cars in this list. Cloth with Scaglietti in October 1965, it became the first 275 GTB featuring alloy body and six carburetors. Long nose berlinetta was used in competition, with Luciano Conti, who was the publisher of Italy’s Autosprint magazine, and his co-driver Vittorio Venturi participating in the 1966 Targa Florio.
1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy Highlights:
- First 275 GTB with an alloy body
- Equipped with six carburetors
- Coachwork by Scaglietti
- Competed in the 1966 Targa Florio
- Sold for $3,305,000
While racing was one of the aspects that attracted collectors to this car, the condition of it is one of the reasons why the Ferrari became a part of the collection. Indeed, having emerged from the multi-decade storage in perfect condition, this 275 GTB was especially appealing to enthusiasts thanks to its lightweight construction, six carburetor specification, show car history, and actual competition experience. Its sale price of $3.305 million shows how unique and important the specification of the car is.
4. 1978 Ferrari 512 BB Competizione
Constructed with full factory support in Modena, this 1978 Ferrari 512 BB Competizione was one of only three Ferrari factory specified for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Engineers of Ferrari applied extensive weight-saving measures to bring this car down to the weight of approximately 2,425 pounds, with 5.0-liter engine developing the power of about 460 horsepower. Lightweight alloy body was finished by Pininfarina with plexiglass windows, large chin spoiler, and rear wing inspired by Ferrari 312 Formula One car.
1978 Ferrari 512 BB Competizione Highlights:
- One of only three factory Le Mans examples
- Approximately 2,425 pounds
- 5.0-liter engine with 460 horsepower
- Prepared with full factory support
- Sold for $1,490,000
At Le Mans, Ferrari was entered as race number 87, and completed more than 19 hours and 232 laps there. Short history of ownership of only two private caretakers helped to preserve this important page of the endurance racing history of the car. Being able to find a factory-supported competition Ferrari after years of private storage and ownership is uncommon, thus $1.49 million result of its auction is easy to understand.
5. 1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupe Series I
This 1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica is one of twelve Series I cars bodied by Pinin Farina, thus being very rare member of exclusive Ferrari grand tourers. Having entered the workshop of Pinin Farina in May 1956, it was finished in Blu Artico paint and fitted with Naturale Vaumol leather interior supplied by Connolly. Unusual color combination and elegant coachwork made this car quite distinctive since the day of its birth.
1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Highlights:
- One of twelve Series I examples
- Coachwork by Pinin Farina
- Finished in rare Blu Artico
- Displayed at the 1956 Paris Salon
- Sold for $2,810,000
Blu Artico is known to be one of the rarest colors for vintage Ferraris, thus making this particular chassis even more special. In October 1956, the car was exhibited at Ferrari’s factory stand at the Paris Salon, where it accompanied the Superfast concept car, thus receiving an important period exhibition history. Having emerged from many years in storage with all signs of its age, the car managed to attract enough attention among collectors, and its price tag at the end reached $2.81 million.
6. 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Series II
Constructed as chassis number 1775 GT, this elegant 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Series II became the 299th of 353 Series II coupes manufactured. Records showed that chassis and mechanical parts of this car were delivered to Pinin Farina’s Torino facility in late January 1960, with coachwork completed by late March. It was originally finished in Grigio Conchiglia with Rosso Connolly leather interior, thus making its color combination quite unique.
1960 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Series II Highlights:
- Chassis number 1775 GT
- 299th of 353 Series II coupes
- Coachwork completed by Pinin Farina
- Originally finished in Grigio Conchiglia
- Sold new in Italy in 1960
Having been sold new to Mrs. Maria Clara Locuoco of Trieste, Italy, in May 1960, the Ferrari was exported to the Netherlands in 1964 and stayed there until 1980. During this period, it got repainted into red, but still kept its original Rosso leather interior. Later, it was transferred to Toronto, Canada, in 1980 and listed for sale in 1986. International travels of this Ferrari represent the process of how these cars were gradually moving through private collections.
7. 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series II
This 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series II is one of the most unusual specimens of this model, being one of only 36 right-hand-drive cars manufactured. It was specially ordered by Maranello Concessionaires in Surrey for delivery to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and was equipped with factory power windows. The car was finished in Azzurro with Bleu Nuvola leather interior, thus making it even more unusual compared to other models.
1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Highlights:
- One of only 36 right-hand-drive examples
- Specially ordered for delivery to Tanzania
- Equipped with factory power windows
- Finished in Azzurro with Bleu Nuvola leather
- Later acquired by Walter Medlin
According to registry, this Ferrari was returned to the United Kingdom during the early 1980s and received registration number “APG 18H.” In 1983, collector John Kelly bought it from famous race car driver David Piper and later the car participated in Ferrari Days Modena before it got exported to the USA. This Ferrari was acquired by Walter Medlin in 1984, adding yet another episode to its meticulously recorded history.
8. 1968 Ferrari Dino 206 GT
Finishing the assembly on October 25, 1968, this Ferrari Dino 206 GT was delivered to Romeo Pedini Auto S.r.l. in Perugia and was originally finished in Rosso Dino with Marrone interior and Panno Grigio cloth inserts. This was the first private owner of the car, who bought it in December 1968. Lightweight Dino became an important milestone in Ferrari history as it combined compactness with distinctive Italian style and less pretentious nature than its bigger V12 grand tourers.
1968 Ferrari Dino 206 GT Highlights:
- Completed in October 1968
- Delivered to an Italian dealership
- Finished in Rosso Dino
- Original Italian registration preserved
- Spent decades in storage
Changing hands in July 1969, the Ferrari got new owner – Paolo Pietro Lattanzi, who registered it under Italian plate “AP 91249,” that still belongs to the car. Giuseppe Paci bought it in 1974, and the Dino was later stored at Carrozzeria Leurini during the late 1970s. Carefully recorded Italian provenance and multi-decade storage helped to preserve an unusually original specimen of this important Ferrari’s small sports car.
9. 1976 Ferrari 308 GTB “Vetroresina”
Finished in June 1976, this early Ferrari 308 GTB is especially valuable because it has lightweight fiberglass bodywork. Being imported into the USA through Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti, the car got recorded in Ferrari Market Letter in 1978 as one of Rosso Corsa examples with tan leather, black inserts, and 3,000 miles of mileage on the clock. Such early manufacture date, lightweight construction, and low mileage made it an interesting collectible.
1976 Ferrari 308 GTB Highlights:
- Built in June 1976
- Early fiberglass-body “Vetroresina” example
- Imported by Luigi Chinetti
- Originally finished in Rosso Corsa
- Final mileage of only 9,587 miles
Before being acquired by Walter Medlin in April 1979, the Ferrari was offered by FAF Motorcars in Tucker, Georgia, with 5,200 miles on the odometer. Notwithstanding its performance capabilities, the car was used very rarely in the decades that followed. The odometer eventually showed only 9,587 miles on the clock, thus making this fiberglass berlinetta an exceptionally original example.
10. 1991 Ferrari Testarossa
Finished at Maranello in January 1991, this US-market Ferrari Testarossa is an example of the final production evolution of an iconic supercar of 1980s and early 1990s. It was finished in the classic color combination of Rosso Corsa over beige leather with contrasting Rosso carpets. Research showed that approximately 266 US market examples of the Testarossa were manufactured in its final production year.
1991 Ferrari Testarossa Highlights:
- Completed at Maranello in January 1991
- US-market specification
- Final production-year example
- Standard five-lug wheels and dual mirrors
- Upgraded air conditioning system
During the final production period, Testarossa got several improvements including standard five-lug wheels, dual mirrors, integrated rear brake light, and improved air conditioning system. Preserving the classic and unmistakable styling and low-mileage heritage, this car serves as a link between Ferrari’s classic analog supercars and modern machines.
