A 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello formerly owned by Michael Jordan sold for $2.7 million at auction, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of $700,000 to $1.3 million.

While higher-mileage examples can sell for just over €100,000, low-mileage 550 Maranellos have commanded more than $500,000 this year. Jordan’s ownership and the car’s history helped set it apart from those examples.

Ordered new by Michael Jordan

Jordan ordered the Ferrari through Foreign Cars Italia in Greensboro, North Carolina. The car was fitted with a custom driver’s seat featuring slimmer padding and revised rails to accommodate him.

He reportedly drove the 550 Maranello regularly during his Chicago Bulls career, including in the team’s championship-winning 1998 season. Jordan sold it through Lake Forest Sportscars in Illinois in 2002, after which it remained in a private Californian collection for roughly 25 years.

Low mileage and original presentation

We Are Curated, an exclusive Miami dealership, located the Ferrari using its vehicle identification number and persuaded the owner to sell. The car was subsequently brought back to Chicago and offered through Joopiter.

Jordan drove approximately 6,400 miles before selling the car. By the time of its October 1 auction sale, the odometer showed 18,501 miles, or 29,774 kilometers, indicating limited use over its lifetime.

The Ferrari was presented in what appeared to be excellent condition. Its Rosso Corsa paintwork was paired with chrome-finished five-spoke wheels, while the tan leather covering the seats, door panels, transmission tunnel, and lower dashboard appeared well preserved.

The buyer was not identified, leaving the car’s future unknown. Its combination of documented celebrity ownership, relatively low mileage, and condition places it among the most desirable examples of the 550 Maranello.