Ferrari’s charity auction underway

Good news folks, Ferrari’s charity auction to benefit Italy’s earthquake victims has begun. You now have the opportunity to buy your very own 599XX Evo.

Sure, you’ll need the small matter of a spare €1.35m (AU$1.7m) in your bank account to make the opening bid, but don’t say Ferrari didn’t give you a go. Indeed, the car will be brand new and built to order, assuming a satisfactory price is achieved.

If that’s too much, maybe you can rustle up €50K to give yourself a chance at a 2008 F1 engine. Still too much? How about €15K to buy a front nose/wing assembly from the 2009 F60 F1 car? Cheap at half the price!

In all seriousness, the auction is for a good cause and Ferrai’s boss Luca di Montezemolo has some words of encouragement for you: “I am sure we can count on the generosity of those close to Ferrari around the world who have always kindly supported this kind of initiative in the past.

“A terrible earthquake struck our region and the people we know, and together we want to help the families of the victims in this time of need. We are holding an auction of some truly unique and exclusive items for all Ferrari’s friends and enthusiasts to whom I would already like to express my heart-felt thanks.”

The auction ends on 20 June and there are plenty of more affordable options up for sale, including memorabilia from current and recent F1 drivers. Check out the Ferrari store for details.

 

Ferrari earthquake auction now underway

• Ferrari 599XX EVO valued at more than $1.6 million
  
• A complete Formula 1 engine
  
• Driving suits and helmet Ferrari drivers Alonso and Massa
  
• Unique memorabilia from Ferrari’s motorsport history

The on-line international charity auction organised by Ferrari to raise funds for the families of the victims of the recent earthquakes in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy is now underway.

Clients, collectors and Ferrari enthusiasts alike will be able to make their contribution on the www.ferrari.com website which opens with a message from the company’s Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo.

“I am sure,” he said, “we can count on the generosity of those close to Ferrari around the world who have always kindly supported this kind of initiative in the past. A terrible earthquake struck our region and the people we know, and together we want to help the families of the victims in this time of need. We are holding an auction of some truly unique and exclusive items for all Ferrari’s friends and enthusiasts to whom I would already like to express my heart-felt thanks.”

The principal offer of the auction, which can be accessed via www.ferrari.com or directly on www.ferraristore.com, is a 599XX Evo, the extreme, non-homologated sports berlinetta with a reserve of €1.35 million. The car will be built specifically for this occasion and will have a number of unique features, including a special plaque dedicated by Ferrari’s Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo, and the Scuderia Ferrari drivers, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, who will hand the car over to the lucky new owner at the Monza Grand Prix weekend in September.

There are a number of rare pieces from the world of Formula 1, starting with a 2008 V8 engine, with which the Scuderia won its 16th Constructors’ World Championship title, with a reserve of €50,000. Collectors and enthusiasts can also bid on racing suits, gloves and helmets autographed by Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, an original nose cone from the F60, the F1 car that saw Ferrari celebrate it’s 60th consecutive year in the World Championship, and a Formula 1 racing suit from Giancarlo Fisichella.

To contribute to the fund-raising efforts it will also be possible to purchase from www.ferraristore.com Scuderia watches, the proceeds of which will go towards the auction funds. The auction will end on 20 June 2012.