As RM Sotheby’s prepares to host its inaugural Milan auction at the historic Fonderia Macchi Carlo on 22 May 2025, the world’s foremost automotive auction house has revealed an extraordinary lineup of classic automobiles, each a masterpiece in its own right. Held in a venue celebrated for its industrial beauty and fashion-forward credentials, the event promises a unique convergence of heritage, style, and engineering brilliance.
Leading the auction is a truly spectacular 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Cabriolet—an exceptional example that embodies the elegance and performance synonymous with Italy’s golden age of motoring. Delivered new to HRH Prince Filiberto of Savoy-Genoa and later adorned with bespoke coachwork commissioned by racing legend Vittorio Belmondo, this 8C boasts singular provenance and design. Exhibited at the 1933 Monte Carlo Concours d’Elegance, this one-off treasure is estimated between €3,500,000 and €4,500,000 and is poised to captivate collectors with its unmatched pedigree.
Equally evocative is the 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C Gran Sport Spider Series IV by Zagato—an icon of pre-war competition. Revered for its racing history, this car has graced the Mille Miglia Storica and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and was even driven by Formula One World Champion Phil Hill at the 1985 Monterey Historics. It represents the perfect harmony of performance and design, estimated between €1,300,000 and €1,500,000.
Adding to the Alfa Romeo tribute is a post-war gem: the 1949 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport by Pinin Farina. One of only 383 Super Sports built, and among a select few to feature Pinin Farina’s refined cabriolet styling, this car promises eligibility at the most prestigious tours and concours globally. Once owned by gentleman racer Franco Bol, it is estimated between €300,000 and €350,000.
Not to be overshadowed, a 1969 Ferrari 365 GTC by Pininfarina adds a modernist edge to the sale. One of just 150 examples ever produced, and the seventh built, it has remained in Italian ownership since new and carries an estimate of €650,000 to €750,000.
A brace of Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs further underscores the auction’s star power. A 1956 300 SL Gullwing, finished in its original Blaugrau hue and featuring a rare factory NSL engine and Rudge wheels, is offered from 37 years of single ownership, estimated between €1,800,000 and €2,200,000. It is joined by a 1962 300 SL Roadster—one of only 209 late-model examples with disc brakes and an alloy engine block. Purchased directly from its original owner in 1996, this Light Blue beauty is expected to achieve a similar estimate.
With this extraordinary roster of icons, RM Sotheby’s Milan debut is set to be an unmissable event for connoisseurs of automotive art, history, and heritage. The auction not only reaffirms the company’s global leadership in the collector car market but also celebrates Italy’s rich automotive and cultural legacy in the most fitting fashion.
