An exceptionally low-kilometre Ferrari 458 Speciale is expected to break the $1 million barrier when it goes under the hammer in Sydney this evening.
The Australian-delivered 2015 Ferrari has travelled just 1,330 kilometres and will headline the Pickles Luxury Vehicle Auction from 6pm AEST tonight.
Interest has been building strongly ahead of the sale, with more than 12,300 online listing views, 540 watchers and 13 physical inspections. Potential buyers have travelled from South Australia, Victoria and Queensland to inspect the car.
Pickles head of prestige and dealer Richard Bowen said the level of attention reflected how rarely such a low-kilometre 458 Speciale became available.
“We knew this was going to attract attention, but the level of interest we’ve seen ahead of the auction has been significant,” Bowen said.
“Based on the feedback we’re receiving from the market, we believe this car has the potential to sell for more than $1 million.”
Finished in Rosso Corsa with a blue and white racing stripe, the Speciale represents the final high-performance model in Ferrari’s naturally aspirated mid-engined V8 lineage before the 488 ushered in turbocharging.
Its 4.5-litre V8 produces 445kW at 9000rpm and 540Nm at 6000rpm, driving through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and delivering a claimed zero to 100km/h time of three seconds.
The auction catalogue reveals the Ferrari was sold new and maintained by Ferrari Sydney and comes with two keys and a full factory service history.
Factory equipment includes carbon ceramic brakes, active aerodynamics, a front suspension lift, adaptive headlights and a rear-parking camera. It also features Rosso Corsa brake callipers, Scuderia Ferrari shields and the distinctive Blu NART stripe.
Bowen said its combination of provenance; condition and extremely low kilometres made it a very different proposition from a typical used performance car.
The Ferrari is being sold through Pickles as part of a liquidation process under instruction from Cor Cordis, with bidding set to culminate this evening.