Fangio’s Ferrari 290 MM up for auction

Two years back, Juan Manual Fangio’s Mercedes-Benz type W 196 R became the most expensive car to be sold in an auction. Now though, the bragging right will no longer remain with the Mercedes, as another of Fangio’s car is up for sale.

The Ferrari 290 MM was designed especially for the Argentine driver to race in the Mille Miglia. Driving the car, Fangio finished the 1956 Mille Miglia in fourth place. In fact, Fangio wasn’t the only driver to race on the machine. The Ferrari 290 MM was also used by Phil Hill at Nurburgring and by Alfonso de Portago at the Rouen Grand Prix. Wolfgang von Trips started his career with Ferrari and took top honours in the Buenos Aires 1000 KM in 1957. 

Four units of the Ferrari 290 MM were made, out of which only one of which never crashed in its career. After calling it a day at Ferrari, the car has changed hands of several collectors and racers on either side of the Atlantic. Mas du Clos collection of Pierre Bardinon held the car for 34 years before it was acquired by the current owner who has now put the car up for auction.