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Ferrari planning 458 Speciale Spider?

The Ferrari 458 comes from a long line of mid-engined V8 supercars to roll out of Maranello, from the 348 and F355 to the 360 and F430. Each has also bred a Spider version, and starting with the 360 Challenge Stradale (through the 430 Scuderia and 458 Speciale), a hardcore performance version. But combining the best attributes of Spider and performance model is relatively new territory for Ferrari, one which it attempted only with the limited-production Scuderia Spider 16M. And if the latest rumors are to be believed, it's about to go at it again.
Though we can't verify its sources, 4WheelsNews says it has double confirmation from within Ferrari that a 458 Speciale Spider is in the works. When reached for confirmation, Ferrari refused to comment, as it typically does on the prospect of new models yet to be announced. Given the precedent of the Scuderia Spider 16M, it would seem to make sense, but for the time being we'll have to chalk this one up as a rumor.
If it were built, the Ferrari 458 Scuderia Spider (or whatever it would ultimately be called) would take the best of the 458 Spider and 458 Speciale to pack the 600-horsepower version of Maranello's sweet-revving 4.5-liter V8 underneath a folding hardtop. The latter is something the 16M did not offer, but crucially, the new McLaren 650S Spider does. We'd also expect only a limited number to be produced at a suitable premium over the Spider's $257k MSRP and the Speciale's $288k sticker.

1933 Duesenberg tops Mecum Auctions' Monterey results at $3,850,000

Mecum Auctions had three Duesenbergs on offer at the Monterey Car Week's auction event, and the most valuable of the three was the achingly beautiful, one-of-one Bohman and Schwartz-built Model J Disappearing-Top Roadster in white over red, for $3,850,000. Duesenberg reportedly utilized as many as 32 coachbuilders to build custom Model Js, and this one with Hollywood history is unique thanks to its bodywork. In comparison, a 1929 Murphy-bodied Model J Convertible Sedan brought in "just" $1,155,000. The second highest price in Mecum results was achieved by a practically undriven, 307-mile 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari. The Rosso Corsa example slotted in neatly compared to its $3,000,000 to $3,300,000 estimate, finishing at $3,190,000. Another LaFerrari, a yellow one with 419 miles, remained unsold at $3,200,000. Number three is also a Ferrari, an Enzo at that. The 3,150-mile 2003 Enzo, in red over red, finished at $2,860,000. After a string of street cars, the fourth highest Mecum auction price was achieved by the 1989 Daytona 24 Hours, 1989 Palm Beach Grand Prix and 1989 Porsche Cup USA winning Porsche 962. The list of drivers with stints behind the Busby Racing 962's wheel is impressive reading: Derek Bell, John Andretti, Mauro Baldi, Jochen Mass and Brian Redman just to mention a few. Chassis 962-108 had the honor of claiming the 50 th win for a 962 in international competition, at Daytona 24 Hours, and that victory was also Derek Bell's final 24-hour endurance win. As Mecum notes, Bell has called this 962 as his favorite Group C Porsche. It has been in collector hands since 1989, and the selling price reached $2,200,000. The fifth car is a very significant Lamborghini Miura: an unrestored original with its factory coat of red, it is the second Miura P400S model built, and the earliest known S survivor. It has just 28,613 miles on its odometer, and it still wears the Pirelli Cinturatos it was given at the factory. Among all Miuras, this 1969 car is certainly a unicorn, and as a result it sold for $1,155,000. The rest of the top 10 sellers from the Mecum auction follow: 1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Sedan, $1,155,000 2012 Dallara DW12 Honda Indy Car, $1,127,500 2017 Ferrari F12tdf Coupe, $1,045,000 1936 Auburn 852 Supercharged Speedster, $1,017,500 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Coupe, $825,000 Related Video: Featured Gallery Mecum Auctions Monterey 2018 View 10 Photos News Source: Mecum AuctionsImage Credit: Mecum Auctions Misc.

Ferrari presents new F1 car to challenge Mercedes

MARANELLO, Italy — Ferrari unveiled its new Formula One car on Friday, one that it hopes can finally end its title drought. Team principal Mattia Binotto and drivers Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc were on stage for the presentation of the car, which has been named SF90 to commemorate the Italian manufacturer's 90th anniversary in 2019. They were joined by Ferrari chairman John Elkann and CEO Louis Camilleri. "The car embodies the latest state-of-the-art technology, reflects the new regulations for the coming season and is the fruit of the combined enormous work and talent of everyone in the Scuderia," Camilleri said. The new matte livery radiates the classic Ferrari red, with splashes of black and hardly any white. "I'm really excited, and I can't wait to get in," Vettel said. "I'm looking forward to this year. I think the team is on the right path, and hopefully we can continue improving." Vettel won the opening two races of the 2018 season and took pole position in three of the first four but Ferrari's performance waned as the year went on, enabling Mercedes to win a fifth straight drivers' title with Lewis Hamilton. Ferrari hasn't won a title since taking the 2008 constructors' championship, while Kimi Raikkonen claimed the team's last driver's title back in 2007. "Last season was our best in the last 10 years, yet we fell short of our objectives," Camilleri said. "Such a setback is never easy to swallow, but I assure you we look ahead with strong commitment and determination." It is Vettel's fifth season with Ferrari but Leclerc's first after replacing Raikkonen. "I'm extremely excited to start this new adventure," Leclerc said. "It's a dream since I was a child. It's a very emotional day for me." Binotto has also been promoted from chief technical officer, taking over from Maurizio Arrivabene. The season opens on March 17 at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Related Video: Featured Gallery Ferrari SF90 2019 Formula One car Motorsports Ferrari Racing Vehicles F1 Sebastian Vettel John Elkann