Two for the Tifosi at Shannons Sumer Sale

SYDNEY – Feb 9, 2012: It will be tough times for the tifosi at Shannons Sydney Summer Classic Auction on February 20, with two fabulous 12-cylinder flagship Ferraris to choose between.

Mid-engined ‘boxer’ Ferrari fans could be tempted by the stunning, white 1988 Testarossa Coupe that has been privately imported from the UK, but comes with all the correct papers, including an Australian Engineer’s report and an extensive ownership history.

With its quad-valve 5.0-litre ’flat’ 12-cylinder engine producing 290kW at 5,300rpm, the Testarossa was a true supercar in its day, capable of reaching 290km/h and sprinting from 0-100km/h in just 5.2 seconds, with the traditional open-gate gearshift for its five-speed manual transmission serving as a reminder of its thoroughbred race-breeding.

The car being auctioned by Shannons has recently benefited from an all-important camshaft belt changes in the last 1,000 miles, along with the fitment of a new clutch, while its Italian Tubi-Style exhaust system gives its mighty flat-12 engine an even greater voice.

Shannons expect the Testarossa to sell in the $85,000-$105,000 range – less than a basic Porsche Boxster.

Enthusiasts of traditional front-engined V12 Ferraris have a superb very low kilometre, Australian-delivered Ferrari 575M Maranello F1 Coupe to ogle over.

Launched in 2002, the two-seater 575M Maranello was essentially an updated 550 Maranello, featuring an enlarged 5.75-litre 65 degree V12 engine, along with minor styling changes by Pininfarina.

The 575M Maranello was also the first Ferrari offered with the optional Magneti Marelli's semi-automatic (Electrohydraulic manual) 'F1' gearbox.

The silver coupe being auctioned by Shannons was delivered new by Scuderia Veloce Motors of William Street Sydney in late October 2002 to a well-known Australian business and sporting identity and has since covered just 10,000km.

According to Shannons, the car presents ‘as new’ in all respects and has a full Ferrari service history, with all drive and timing belts replaced during the last service. A second set of larger Ferrari rims sporting Pirelli P Zero Rosso tyres will be sold with the car.

Representing a realistic and very attractively-priced alternative to a new Ferrari, or many other lesser luxury sporting coupes, the 575M Maranello F1 is realistically priced and expected to sell in the $160,000-$180,000 range.

The two Ferraris are amongst 28 classic vehicles and 23 fascinating items of memorabilia in Shannons Sydney Summer, which will be held from 7pm on Monday, February 20.

Other interesting sporting cars in the auction include a ‘pride’ of 1950s and 1960s Jaguars, a Snakepit Cobra ‘427SC Replica’ Roadster, a 1968 Falcon XT GT sedan and a 351-ci V8-engined 1973 Bolwell Nagari coupe offered with no reserve.