A 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello once owned by NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan is heading to auction, with its previous ownership adding a notable layer of provenance to a car estimated to be worth between $700,000 and $1.3 million.
The Ferrari Once Owned by Michael Jordan
Jordan received the Ferrari in 1997, the same year he won his fifth championship with the Chicago Bulls. The car, chassis 108712, was a notable part of his life during the late 1990s but remained out of public view for nearly a quarter-century before resurfacing and being listed for sale on JOOPITER.
The importance of provenance in determining a collector car’s auction value was recently highlighted by a 1996 McLaren F1 GTR, chassis 10R, formerly owned by Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason. That car became the most expensive McLaren sold at public auction when it fetched $34.655 million.
While Mason’s ownership was only one factor behind that result, the previous ownership of this Ferrari 550 Maranello could play an even greater role in its value.
The Ferrari Featured in The Last Dance
Chassis 108712 appeared in Michael Jordan’s 2020 Netflix documentary The Last Dance, alongside vehicles including his Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet and Chevrolet C4 Corvette ZR-1.
The Ferrari also played a role in the story behind the Air Jordan XIV. Jordan debuted the shoes on June 14, 1998, during Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz. He wore them while making the so-called “Last Shot,” securing his sixth championship.
From Jordan’s Garage to California and Back
Jordan sold the Ferrari through Lake Forest Sportscars in Illinois in December 2002. After that, its whereabouts were largely unknown to the public.
CURATED co-founder John Temerian spent a decade searching for the car and reportedly even hired private investigators. Earlier this year, Temerian eventually traced the Ferrari to a longtime California owner, acquired it sight unseen and brought it back to Chi-Town.
550 Maranello Specifications and Jordan Details
The Ferrari is powered by a 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 producing 485 horsepower. The engine is paired with a 6-speed gated manual transmission and mounted at the front, representing a significant departure from the mid-engine layout used by the Prancing Horse brand’s preceding flagship V12 models. That configuration continues today with the 12Cilindri.
Because Jordan stands 6-foot-6, the car was also reportedly equipped with a custom driver’s seat featuring extended rails and thinner-than-standard padding.
The Ferrari carries the MJ 5 plate and shows about 6,400 miles. Jordan is said to have driven it to Bulls games, practices and public appearances.
Michael Jordan Ferrari Auction Estimate
The 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello is estimated to be worth between $700,000 and $1.3 million. Bidding will open on September 15.
Although Jordan’s basketball career is long behind him, he remains active in professional sports as a co-owner of NASCAR’s 23XI Racing. The organization fields three full-time Toyota Camry XSEs, and Jordan can frequently be seen at races watching the team from the pit box.
