Of all the spectacular Ferraris and Maseratis to be auctioned by RM at Maranello on May 17, one in particular attracts me and it's not at all spectacular. I love this little-known car because it is so elegant in its traditional lines. But to be honest, until now I'd never heard of the 250 GT Ellena Coupé.

Early Ferrari road cars were produced in very small numbers. A 1955 publicity brochure described a new model as "the first series-produced vehicle benefiting from the experiences of the race track". The car that this brochure described was the second series of Ferrari 250 GTs, which became known as the 250 GT Boano Coupé and 250 GT Ellena Coupé. Technically they featured a 220 bhp, 2,953 cc single overhead-cam alloy V-12 engine, four-speed manual synchromesh transmission, independent front suspension with A-arms and coil springs, solid rear axle with trailing arms and leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

The auction car has been restored over fifteen years after being possessed by several owners, including German Mercedes-Benz collector Helmar Broich of Mönchengladbach, who drove it in the 1993 Mille Miglia Storica. Manfred Hellwig drove it in the Mille Miglia three times. In January 2006, Helmut Eberlein of Kassel bought the car as his personal gift for his 55th birthday. Eberlein, a franchised Ferrari dealer and Germany's exclusive Ferrari Classiche partner, sent 0819 GT to Maranello where the suspension was rebuilt in 2007 to original specifications while the leather was re-trimmed by specialist Hagen Kruse of Uder, Germany.

If I could afford to bid for any of the RM Auction cars, this would be my choice. As a personal birthday gift, of course.

Photo Credit: Andreas Birner