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February 12, 2026
Another week, another fascinating RM Sotheby's auction to ponder the results of.
Another week, another fascinating RM Sotheby's auction to ponder the results of. This time, it's all about Ferrari with the Cavallino Palm Beach auction at the 35th annual Cavallino Classic event on the sunny shores of Boca Raton, Florida.
Both modern and classic models went under the hammer, plus Ferrari-themed memorabillia. Today, we're focusing on the more modern cars of the auction, from 1999 to 2018, from $329,500 USD to $5,230,000 USD. Sorted price low to high, let's dive in.
$329,500 USD
The time Ferrari named a car after the home of their factory, and wonderfully summed up by RM Sotheby’s as “Ferrari’s triumphant return to front-engine, V12-powered grand tourers”. Despite being a grand tourer by nature, this example is a time capsule, having covered just 8,124 miles from new, 25 years ago.
All 550s came with a manual ‘box to manage the delivery of that torquey V12 to the rear wheels, and this is a particularly lovely one with beige leather carbon bucket seats and a Tubi exhaust to really let that V12 sing, and it was awarded Platinum by the Ferrari Club of America in 2023. This car’s whole ethos and understated design are a reminder of the end of an era — simpler times!
$368,000 USD
To celebrate their 70th anniversary, Ferrari produced a limited run of 70 bespoke specifications through its Tailor Made department, each inspired by a significant model from the company’s past. This 488 GTB is a one-of-one finished in livery number 26, known as “Some Like it Red”, inspired by the signature colour scheme of the iconic 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Pinin Farina/ Said colour scheme is stunning, deep Rosso Mugello with a contrasting Argento Nürburgring roof and mirror caps.
The sale price is actually a smidge less than its original new price, which included $133,756 of options! It’s covered just 4,500 miles from new, and if you want a true one off without spending millions, this is a stunning example.
$373,500 USD
To some, this is the most beautiful Ferrari ever built, and up for much less debate is its status as one of the best sounding Ferraris of them all. Its Formula 1-inspired 3.5-litre V8 revs to 8,500rpm with a characteristic wail, which makes the Spider variant even more desirable. The biggest factor of desirability seen here though is that open-gate manual gearbox.
By today’s standards, 375hp sounds miniscule when its contemporary equivelant has 820, but the 355 makes you realise a great drive is about almost everything but power. Finished here in very gentlemanly black over beige, this example has covered just over 2,000 miles since 1999, resulting in an incredible result of $373,500 USD.
$885,000 USD
Yes, you read that right, nearly nine-hundred-thousand US Dollars for a 458 Speciale! It’s in a lovely spec and has covered less than 5,000 miles from new, but that’s not far out of the ordinary for a Speciale, so is this a reflection of where Speciales are going?
It certainly deserves its fame as the last lightweight special Ferrari to use a naturally-aspirated V8, and even ignoring that fact, it’s a simply stonking car to drive, but this fetched about 50% more than similar examples on the UK market. That said, an example with similar mileage sold at RM’s Arizona auction last year for $786,000 USD, so there’s clearly strong demand for the Speciale in the States, and time will tell if we follow suit.
$1,105,000 USD
I’ve banged on about the Scud for years and it looks like it’s finally having its day, especially in extra-limited topless 16M format. With just 499 built, the 16M comands a hefty premium over the tin-top Scud, as is typically the case with any special series Ferrari. This one is believed to be the only US example in this colour scheme of Blu Pozzi over Terra Bruciata leather, an achingly classy combo on an otherwise extremely boistrous car.
Given the sale price of over $1.1 million USD, it’s unsurprising that this car is showing under 6,000 miles on the clock, and will likely never creep much higher than that. It’s sad because the Scud is one of the most intoxicating driver’s cars on the planet, but its recognition is now starting to come just as much from its investment potential.
$5,230,000 USD
Ferrari naming the 550 after Maranello was a high accolade, naming the Enzo after their founder was holy stuff, but literally calling a car “The Ferrari” is a big badge to live up to, but this game-changer does just that. Adding hybrid tech but keeping the NA V12 means the LaFerrari is otherwordly fast but just so emotional at the same time, and it defined its era.
One of just 499 and one of Ferrari’s “Big Six” from 288 GTO to the latest F80, values were always going to be strong, and prices have indeed taken a turn upwards over the past few years. This sub-5k mile example is finished in definitive Ferrari spec (plus a Tricolore nose graphic added for the second owner by Ferrari of Beverley Hills, and is eloquently described by RM Sotheby’s as “modestly driven and fastidiously maintained”. No surprise it broke the $5 million USD barrier.
