Monterey Car Week is just over a month away. As part of our preview of the week's activities we have a preview of cars up for auction at the Gooding & Co auction at Pebble Beach. This year the auction will see several pristine examples of Italy's finest automotive art.

1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet

Estimate: $5,000,000-$7,000,000)
The 250 GT Series I Cabriolet presented here, chassis 1475 GT, is the last of 40 examples built. As characterized by Pinin Farina coachwork in the late 1950s and early 1960s, this handsome Cabriolet displays the transition from the ornate designs of the late 1950s to the clean, modern styling. This is exemplified by 1475 GT’s full-width bumpers and flanks that are unadorned with vents, which emphasize the long, elegant lines of the front wings. This Series I Cabriolet is one of only four examples built with the open headlamp treatment, and one of just two with tall vertical taillights. This Cabriolet was owned by noted Ferrari collector and historian Hilary Raab Jr. for over three decades and has participated in numerous concours and road rallies. It remains in outstanding condition throughout and is finished in a very attractive color combination of metallic blue over tan leather upholstery.

1956 Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta

(Estimate: $4,000,000-$5,000,000)
The stunning Maserati A6G/54 is the essential Italian Berlinetta. A mere 60 of these chassis were built, and only 21 were bodied by the master coachbuilder Zagato. The Zagato-bodied examples are decidedly the most beautiful, sleek and performance-oriented. This car, chassis 2186, is the last A6G/54 Zagato-bodied Berlinetta built. As such, it incorporates all the desirable late-production features, such as the curvaceous rear fenders and twin hood scoops. This striking Berlinetta has been recently restored to its original color combination of dark red with light upholstery by Carrozzeria Quality Cars in Vigonza, Italy. It has been displayed at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2014, as well as the Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari museum in Modena, Italy. This matching-numbers A6G/54 is one of the most elegant, sophisticated GT cars of the 1950s and presents a great opportunity for the astute collector.

1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series I

Estimate: $3,000,000-$3,800,000)
The 500 Mondial was the first Ferrari sports car created for privateer owner-drivers and was powered by two-liter Lampredi-designed 4-cylinder engine. After the Ferrari 500 F2 captured the 1952 and 1953 World Championships, Ferrari was convinced that the experience of this ferocious 4-cylinder should also be made available in the company’s sports cars. This car, chassis 0468 MD, is a first series car and was sold new to Guido Petracchi, who immediately took it from Italy to Africa to race it. The Mondial placed first overall in the Ethiopian Grand Prix and then went on to be displayed at the Italian Pavilion during the Silver Jubilee Fair of Addis Adeba, Ethiopia. The car was stored from 1959-1980 and then restored in the early 1980s by DK Engineering.The current owner acquired 0468 and subsequently displayed the Ferrari at the 1998 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®. Recently, the car was part of a full feature in the June 2016 issue of Forza magazine and is Ferrari Classiche Certified. With undeniable credentials and provenance, 0468 is an exceptional Mondial that is ready to be enjoyed by a new distinguished collector.

The Pebble Beach Auctions

Dates: Friday, August 18 at 6:00pm and Saturday, August 19 at 11:00am
Location: Equestrian Center, Corner of Stevenson Drive and Portola Road, Pebble Beach, CA
Public preview: Wednesday, August 16 – Saturday, August 19
Auction catalogues: $100, includes admission for two to the viewing and the auctions
General admission: $40, includes admission for one to the viewing and the auctions
Live auction broadcast: www.goodingco.com
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