Michael Jordan’s Ferrari 550 Maranello Sells for $2.7 Million at Auction
A Ferrari 550 Maranello once owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan sold for approximately $2.7 million at auction, more than doubling its maximum pre-sale estimate, motorisumotori.it reported. The platform Joopiter, in partnership with collector supercar dealer Curated, organized the sale, which drew 43 bids over a two-week period.
Auction organizers stated that the final price sets a public auction record for a Ferrari 550 Maranello. The vehicle surpassed its previous record by more than four times, according to Joopiter, though the platform did not disclose the exact amount of the previous record.
Delivery to the Chicago Bulls Star in May 1997
Ferrari delivered the grand tourer to Jordan in May 1997. The Chicago Bulls star specified the car in Rosso Barchetta with a light brown leather interior and a custom Illinois license plate reading “MJ 5.”
Just weeks later, in June 1997, photographers captured Jordan behind the wheel hours after he secured his fifth NBA championship. That documented moment tied the car directly to the peak of the Bulls’ 1990s dominance.
Decades Out of Public View Before the California Discovery
Jordan sold the vehicle in 2002, and the car remained out of public sight for more than two decades. John Temerian, CEO of Curated, spent approximately ten years tracking down the lost car by reviewing historic Ferrari dealership records.
Temerian finally located the 550 Maranello in a California garage. A private collector had owned the car for years without offering it publicly for sale. Temerian purchased the vehicle sight-unseen, bringing the grand tourer back to Chicago on May 29, 2026, exactly 29 years after its initial delivery.
Expansion Into Supercar Auctions for Joopiter
The sale marked Joopiter’s first venture into automobile auctions. The platform historically specialized in cultural artifacts, sports memorabilia, and natural history specimens. By leaning into sports history via Jordan’s former ownership, the auction house successfully transitioned into high-end automotive sales.
Collectors submitted 43 separate bids over the two-week event, driving the final price well past the initial pre-sale valuation range of $800,000 to $1.3 million.
Frequently Asked Questions About Michael Jordan’s Ferrari
What color is Michael Jordan’s Ferrari 550 Maranello?
The car features a Rosso Barchetta exterior paired with a light brown leather interior and custom “MJ 5” Illinois license plates.
Who organized the auction for the Ferrari?
Joopiter organized the sale alongside Curated, a specialty dealer of collectible supercars.
Where did the car spend the last two decades?
The vehicle remained in a private collector’s garage in California for years without public exposure until Curated CEO John Temerian tracked it down.