At the opening of the 2026 season of major car sales, one car is attracting all eyes even before the first hammer strikes: a Ferrari F50 estimated at between $7 and $9 million. Its objective is clear, almost assertive: to come close to, or even surpass, the absolute record recently set by the F50 once owned by Ralph Lauren. The stage is set in Phoenix, at the Longhorn Collection sale orchestrated by RM Sotheby's, and the stakes go well beyond the simple framework of a prestigious auction.
An F50 at the heart of an extraordinary collection
The Longhorn Collection is the perfect illustration of what the classic car market can produce: nine cars, one owner, and a rare consistency. Six FerrariTwo Lamborghinis and a Porsche are being offered simultaneously, a situation exceptional enough to mark the auction calendar for the beginning of the year. But in this gathering of icons, the 1995 F50 occupies a special place.
Produced in just 349 examples to celebrate Ferrari's 50th anniversary, the F50 offered here is the 60th chassis assembled. With a reasonable mileage of 8,195 miles (approx. 13,200 km), it is presented in its most emblematic configuration, Rosso Corsa on Nero interior. Entirely in keeping with the spirit of the model, it combines a Formula 1-inspired carbon chassis, naturally-aspirated 4.7-liter V12 and Pininfarina bodywork.
The history of this F50 also contains a very special anecdote. After a first life in California, it was acquired in 1998 by John Carmack, co-founder of id Software and a major figure in video game history. At the time, Carmack was already world-renowned for his work on cult titles such as Wolfenstein 3D, and above all Doom and Quake, which had a profound impact on popular culture. Under Carmack's ownership, the F50 enjoyed a rare and atypical interlude: it was fitted with twin turbochargers by Texas-based tuner Norwood Performance. A spectacular but temporary modification. Before resale, the car is completely restored to its original configuration, in strict compliance with factory specifications - an essential point for collectors.
Its high estimate is also explained by its impeccable condition: a recent six-figure overhaul at Ferrari of Newport Beach, including replacement of the fuel tank, as well as an extremely rare set of accessories, from the hardtop with flight case to the famous Tod's Ferrari F50 driving shoes. All of which makes this more than just another F50, and justifies its price tag of between $7 and $9 million.
The shadow of Ralph Lauren's record
It's hard to talk about the F50 without thinking of the car that now sits at the top of the hierarchy. In August 2025, the F50 ordered new by Ralph Lauren was sold for $9.245 millionIt shattered all previous records for the model. This car combined arguments that are almost impossible to combine: an extremely rare configuration in Giallo Modena, a legendary provenance, an exceptional state of preservation and irreproachable Ferrari Classiche certification.
The Longhorn Collection example doesn't share the same color or illustrious owner, but it's part of a similar dynamic. As the F50 approaches its 30th birthday, its value is undergoing a major reappraisal. Long caught between the aura of the F40 and the technological prestige of the Enzo, it is now recognized as a major turning point in the history of hypercars, at the frontier between the analog and the modern.
The sale that tells the story of the evolution of the Ferrari myth
Around the F50 gravitate other major pieces that reinforce the historic character of the sale. A 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari, produced in 499 examples, is a reminder of how far Ferrari has gone in terms of hybrid performance, with its 949 combined horsepower. The 2009 Scuderia Spider 16M, a direct tribute to Formula 1 success, underlines the rarity of series celebrating world titles.
More classic models such as the 328 GTB, 575M Maranello and Superamerica complete the picture, illustrating different eras of Ferrari grand touring, while the two Bertone Lamborghini Countachs add a touch of Italian brutality typical of the 1970s and 1980s.
An estimate that says a lot about the current market
If RM Sotheby's succeeds in reaching the upper limit of the estimate, this F50 will take its place just behind the ex-Ralph Lauren in the global sales hierarchy. A powerful symbol of the evolution of the F50 market. More than a simple auction, this sale could well confirm that the Ferrari F50 has definitively changed status. From a long-underestimated supercar, it has become one of the pillars of the Ferrari pantheon, capable of flirting with the financial heights once reserved for untouchable models. The Phoenix hammer will tell if history is ready to be written once more.
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