One of the most comprehensive collections of Cavallino Rampantes ever gathered is headed for sale. Phil and Martha Bachman accumulated 46 Ferraris over decades of dedication to the marque, which began in 1983 when Phil first saw a 308 GTS Quattrovalvole at a show in Washington, D.C.
The car “struck a chord,” he recalled. That chord would become a symphony of supercars as the Bachmans bought—but never sold—more and more Ferraris over the next 40 years. Most were painted at the factory in the same yellow shade as his first car, including the only Giallo FXX ever made by Ferrari.
The Bachmans didn’t just buy the latest models as Ferrari released them, but also purchased from Maranello’s back catalog, with the oldest car in the collection dating to 1953.
Now that the Bachmans have both passed away, the entire collection is to be sold by Mecum Auctions in Kissimmee, Florida, from January 6 to 18, with the proceeds benefiting The Phil and Martha Bachman Foundation. All cars are being offered with no reserve.
Here are some highlights of the sale, and you can check out the entire catalog at Mecum Auctions.
1992 Ferrari F40
Phil Bachman described his F40 as “ex-Works” because he bought it directly from the factory in Maranello rather than the existing allocation process, and subsequently went to Italy to collect it. Finished in Rosso Corsa, of course, it was specified with a Rosso Stoffa Vigogna interior and was one of 60 cars built for the U.S. market in 1992. It has won numerous prizes, but is barely even run in, with just 458 miles on the clock.
2003 Ferrari Enzo
Bachman went a stage further when he bought his Enzo in 2003—he actually helped build it. Having optioned the car with almost every available extra, including engine bay braces, body-colored diffuser and lower trim, plus Daytona-style seats and an Enzo Ferrari signature badge, Bachman joined the production line and fitted a few parts himself. He chose his favorite Giallo hue for the paintwork, making it one of just 11 yellow Enzos out of a total of 36 cars delivered to the U.S. Again, it’s a multiple award-winner and has covered only 649 miles.
2006 Ferrari FXX
As mentioned above, Bachman’s FXX is the only example to be produced with Giallo bodywork. It’s also the only car to have carbon fiber Prancing Horse fender plates signed by the people who built it. Bachman loved driving the FXX and took part in 22 FXX Programme events from 2006-2011, taking the car on 16 tracks over four continents, and racking up 2318 km, or 1440 miles. It’s worth noting that Bachman was an accomplished kart racer in his younger days, so these were more than mere parade laps in the FXX.
2005 Ferrari 575M Superamerica
One of Bachman’s penchants was to pick up the last of the line, and that’s exactly what he did with this 2005 575 Superamerica. Of the 559 cars made, 206 were shipped to the U.S., and Bachman’s Giallo Modena car was the final one. He opted for a contrasting Blu Tour de France racing stripe and, like his FXX, got the assembly line staff to sign it. He also ticked almost every option, adding $48,275 to the sticker price in the process. This one mostly stayed in the garage, aside from a few excursions to pick up prizes, and has covered only 626 miles.
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Alloy
Aluminum-bodied 275 GTBs are few and far between. Just 16 were said to have been built between 1966 and 1968, and, you guessed it, Bachman tracked one down. He’d been pursuing the car for four years when, in 2000, he finally persuaded Georgia pilot Herb Kerr to part with the car, which was, helpfully, hued in Giallo Fly from the factory. The car was fully restored by David Carte in 2015, has many awards to its name, and has been driven 42,524 miles.
2011 Ferrari 599 GTO
The Bachmans really went to town when they ordered their 599 GTO in 2011. Number 599 of the 599 built, it was slathered in Bachman-favorite Giallo with an Azzuro stripe and accents, and matching interior. When all the options were tallied up, the Bachmans had added over $100,000 to the price. No wonder Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo personally signed the car, along with the team that built it. Driven just 104 miles, the tailored Schedoni matching luggage has never been used, and, although the seats have rarely been sat upon, the car comes with two spares as well.
2011 Ferrari 599 SA Aperta
At the same time as they were ordering the 599 GTO, the Bachman’s plumped for a matching SA Aperta. Also the last off the line, where di Montezemolo and the craftsmen signed it, this time the Giallo paintwork came with contrasting Verdeaccents. Almost as much was spent on special features as the GTO, and as one of only 80 Apertas built, it’s one of the rarest in the collection. The Bachmans drove it just 173 miles.
2015 Ferrari LaFerrari
The Bachmans snagged the last LaFerrari destined for the U.S. market in 2015, had it painted in Giallo Modena, and opted for a Rossi and Gialli interior and carbon fiber parts to add $21,276 to the price tag. This example of Ferrari’s contribution to the Holy Trinity was signed by Luca di Montezemolo, and though it had a 6.3-liter V-12 and F1-style Kinetic Energy Recovery System to deliver 949 hp, the Bachmans rarely deployed it. Only 157 miles are on the odometer.
2017 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta
Showing even less use is the last LaFerrari Aperta to be built. Only 210 in total were produced, and the Bachmans snagged the final one, then went on to drive it just 96 miles. Giallo Triplo Strato paintwork adorns the body, while the cabin is trimmed in Pelle Nera and Giallo. The triple-layer paint alone set them back $28,712, and a carbon fiber hardtop added another $71,779, with a further $41,271 being spent on additional carbon parts.
1995 Ferrari F50
The first keeper of this F50 was English Ryder Cup-winning golfer Ian Poulter, and the car also has a few trophies to its name, including the Supercar Cup award at the 2018 Cavallino Classic. It’s number 28 of 56 cars that came to the U.S. out of 349 produced. One of only a handful of cars in the Bachman collection to be finished in traditional Ferrari Rosso Corsa paintwork, its interior is a mix of Nero 8500 and Rosso. Despite having had two owners, the mileage sits at a paltry 252 miles.
Report by Nik Berg for hagerty.com
Photos by Mecum Auctions
