Michael Jordan's Ferrari 550 Maranello Achieves Record Auction Price of $2.7 Million
Written with artificial intelligence.
Michael Jordan's 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello sold for a staggering $2,700,000 at auction, setting a new record for the model. This sale, conducted by Joopiter in partnership with Curated, significantly exceeded pre-auction estimates and highlights Jordan's impact on collector car values.
Record-Breaking Sale
Michael Jordan's 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello has set a new auction record, fetching $2,700,000 on Wednesday night. This sale marks the highest price ever achieved for this model at a public auction, far surpassing Joopiter's pre-auction estimate of $800,000 to $1,300,000.
Auction Details
The auction lasted two weeks and attracted 43 bids, closing at 7 p.m. EDT. Joopiter, in collaboration with Curated—a dealer specializing in collector supercars—made its debut in the collector car market with this sale. The impressive final price indicates the significant influence of Jordan's ownership on the car's value.
Significance of Jordan's Ownership
Delivered to Jordan in May 1997, the car is finished in Rosso Barchetta with tan leather interior and retains its Illinois plate "MJ 5." Jordan was spotted driving the car shortly after winning his fifth NBA championship, which has contributed to its iconic status beyond typical Ferrari circles.
Curated CEO John Temerian noted that the high sale price reflects a shift in the collector market, emphasizing the growing interest among a new generation of buyers who value the cultural significance of icons from the 1990s and early 2000s.
Journey of the Ferrari
After Jordan sold the 550 Maranello in 2002, it was lost to public view for over two decades. Temerian dedicated roughly ten years to tracing the vehicle, eventually finding it with a California owner who had not sold it publicly. The car returned to Chicago on May 29, 2026, precisely 29 years after its original delivery to Jordan, setting the stage for this record-setting auction.