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David Gooding, President and Founder of Gooding & Company, states, “we are grateful and honored to be
entrusted with selling Admiral Phillips’ Ferrari Mondial. This Ferrari epitomizes the highest of quality and
pedigree, as well as illustrates the Admiral’s deep understanding and reverence for the marque, as he has
researched every last detail of his beloved sports racer.”
1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series II - Estimate $5,500,000 – $7,500,000
The story of the Admiral’s Ferrari Mondial, chassis 0556MD/0446M, begins with the car being delivered new
to famed privateer racer François Picard. Picard requested the Scaglietti coachwork be painted a light blue,
the customary national racing color of France. He then raced 0556 (0446)/MD at the 24 Heures Grand Prix de
Paris at Montlhéry, France. From there, the Ferrari was raced by Gino Munaron in several prominent Italian
circuit races and hill climbs.
Gino Munaron transferred ownership of 0556 (0446)/MD back to Scuderia Ferrari in October 1955. Enzo
Ferrari was offered free transportation of his racecars to the inaugural Grand Prix of Venezuela, which took
place on November 6, 1955 in Proceres, Caracas. Since the Series II Mondial was not being campaigned at
the time, it was one of three cars selected by Enzo Ferrari to compete in the Grand Prix. This proved to be a
great choice, as the Series II Ferraris had numerous upgrades from the original Series I cars, which included
a revised four-cylinder style engine (Tipo 111) based on the 553 Grand Prix car; a new five-speed transaxle; a
more complex oval-tube chassis; and a larger capacity (150 litre) fuel tank.
The Grand Prix featured six clienti Ferraris and three works Ferraris backed by the factory. The Ferrari was
initially driven by Harry Schell at the Grand Prix of Venezuela, but halfway through the race he was replaced
by Eugenio Castellotti, after the drivetrain in Castellotti’s Ferrari 857 failed. Castellotti dominated in
0556MD/0446M, and his driving prowess earned him fifth overall and first in class. The Admiral’s Ferrari
Mondial was the only Series II Mondial campaigned by the Scuderia Ferrari factory team at the Grand Prix of
Venezuela and was the only time the Ferrari factory campaigned a car that was not painted in the customary
red livery.
Shortly after the Grand Prix of Venezuela, Dominican diplomat and international playboy Porfirio Rubirosa
purchased this Mondial from Scuderia Ferrari. Rubirosa campaigned the car, earning class wins at the 1955
Governor’s Trophy in Nassau and the 1956 12 Hours of Sebring before selling the car to Raymond Hassan of
Cincinnati, Ohio. Hassan raced the car at various events until being sold to a traveling salesman named
Robert Ready Davis of Indiana. Davis raced the car until the differential seized at Road America in 1959. Davis
was transferred to Northern California and trailered 0556MD/0446M to a Rambler dealership in hopes of one
day returning the car to a functioning racecar. After four years and 28 races in three different continents, the
Ferrari was in desperate need of repair.
In the spring of 1960, a young Naval officer named Robert Phillips went on a quest to find this Ferrari, having
heard about it in passing from fellow automotive enthusiasts. Phillips went to the Rambler dealership
expecting to see the prized Ferrari displayed prominently. Not finding it, he recalls that he was told by a
salesperson, “I think there may be one out in the shop. Go ahead and look.” Phillips scanned the shop,
seeking the treasure. Something in the corner, perched on jack stands with no wheels in sight, caught his
eye. He grabbed a rag and wiped off the mud-covered valve cover to reveal the name: FERRARI.
The young officer negotiated a purchase price and convinced the auto shop manager at the Naval Air Station
in Oakland, California to allow him to store and work on his newly discovered Ferrari on the base. The
following nine months proved to be quite an education in Ferrari mechanics for Phillips, as he repaired the
engine, transaxle, and bodywork. He began racing the car at events throughout California, until the Navy
transferred him to Turkey and then to New Jersey. Refusing to part with his beloved Mondial, he flew back out
to Oakland and drove the car across the country to his new post in New Jersey.
About 10 years ago, the Admiral’s Mondial completed an eight-year full restoration with conservation in mind
by renowned marque specialist David Carte. Admiral Phillips, now considered one of the foremost experts on
four-cylinder Ferraris, had completed an enormous amount of research prior to restoration. The body was
repainted in its original French Racing Blue, just as it raced at the first Grand Prix of Venezuela. Following the
restoration, 0556MD/0446M was displayed at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® and won First in
Class honors, as well as the Enzo Ferrari Trophy for the Best Ferrari on the Field. The Mondial has also gone
on to win several awards at the Palm Beach Cavallino Classic Concorso d’Eleganza, which included the
Scuderia Ferrari Cup for the Best of Show.
There are very few, if any, Ferraris that have been kept by the same owner for as long as Admiral Phillips has
owned 0556MD/0446M. The chance to acquire such an exceptional Mondial, with a story that resonates with
every enthusiast and collector alike, may never be repeated.
The Pebble Beach Auctions
Dates
Friday, August 24 at 6:00 PM PDT and Saturday, August 25 at 11:00 AM PDT
Location
Equestrian Center, Corner of Stevenson Drive and Portola Road, Pebble Beach, CA
Public preview
Wednesday, August 22 through Saturday, August 25
Auction catalogues
$100, includes admission for two to the viewing and the auctions
General admission
$40, includes admission for one to the viewing and the auctions
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