Record-Breaking Jordan Ferrari Sale
Michael Jordan's custom 1997 Ferrari sells for a record-breaking $2.7 million at auction.
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Key Points
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A partial chassis number posted in an old online forum helped researchers identify the Ferrari and trace it to California.
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The JOOPITER account says Jordan took delivery on May 29, 1997; the car’s factory warranty booklet still bears his signature and a Durham, North Carolina address.
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The Ferrari drew 43 bids. Only 3,083 Ferrari 550 Maranellos were built between 1996 and 2001.
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After Jordan won his fifth NBA title in 1997, he was photographed leaving the United Center in the Ferrari with a cigar in one hand and the championship trophy in the car.
Michael Jordan's custom 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello sold for $2.7 million at a Joopiter auction, shattering the model's previous public-auction record. The red sports car, which Jordan bought during his Chicago Bulls championship years, far exceeded its $700,000-to-$1.3 million estimate and attracted 43 bids Road and Track.
Jordan purchased the Ferrari in 1997 and sold it in 2002, after which it disappeared from public view for nearly 24 years. A partial chassis number discovered in an old online forum helped researchers trace the car to California and confirm its legendary ownership Times of India.
How Researchers Found Jordan's Lost Ferrari
The car vanished after Jordan sold it in 2002. Researchers posted questions about it in online forums over the years. A partial chassis number mentioned in one old forum post became the key clue Times of India. This small detail allowed experts to track the Ferrari to California and verify Jordan's original ownership through factory documents.
Factory records still contained Jordan's signature on the warranty booklet. His Durham, North Carolina address was printed right on the paperwork CarScoops. Jordan took delivery on May 29, 1997, according to the dealer paperwork.
A Car Built for a Basketball Icon
Jordan customized the Ferrari to fit his tall frame. The car was also special because its design helped inspire the Air Jordan 14 sneaker line Road and Track. During his ownership, Jordan drove the red Ferrari about 6,400 miles. One famous photo shows him leaving the United Center after winning his fifth NBA title in 1997, cigar in hand and the championship trophy in the car.
Record Price Reflects Rarity and Provenance
Only 3,083 Ferrari 550 Maranellos were built between 1996 and 2001, making them collectible. A typical 550 Maranello sells for $200,000 to $300,000 at auction Road and Track. Jordan's version commanded nearly 10 times that price because of its championship connection and documented history.
The bidding war lasted long enough to attract 43 separate offers Robb Report. The final $2.7 million price set a new public-auction record for the Ferrari 550 Maranello model and cemented the car's place in sports history.
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