MONTEREY, CA.- This ultra-rare, matching-numbers 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico Berlinetta, chassis number 0226AT, leads an exceptional series of Ferraris at RM Auctions’ highly anticipated Monterey sale, August 19 – 20 in California.

One of just three examples purpose-built to contest the 1952 Carrera Panamericana, 0226AT was raced new by the legendary and fiercely competitive Alberto Ascari in the grueling Mexican road race before being imported to the United States where it was driven by Carroll Shelby and Jack McAfee. Well-known and highly documented, its outstanding racing pedigree, which also includes such historic events as the Colorado Grand (2001 and 2007), and the Monterey Historics (2002, 2005 and 2006), is complemented by a swag of awards, including ‘Best of Show’ at the 1988 Ferrari Club of America’s Concours at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, and ‘Best in Class’ at the 1989 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. In 2007, the car displayed at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in the Ferrari Competition class for exhibition only. Originally sold for the princely sum of $14,500, this highly coveted example is expected to fetch a multi-million dollar sales price when it crosses RM’s Monterey auction podium in August. (Estimate Available Upon Request).

“0226AT is arguably one of the premier collector cars ever built by Ferrari. Boasting a spectacular pedigree that includes such racing greats as Alberto Ascari, Carroll Shelby and Jack McAfee, it represents an important chapter in Ferrari’s early competition history,” says Rob Myers, Chairman and Founder, RM Auctions. “Add to that its incredible rarity –one of just three built – and its matching-numbers originality, and you have a terrific car deserving of close inspection.”

Continuing RM’s global leadership in the presentation of historic Ferraris at auction – holding seven of the top 10 all-time auction records for the marque – 0226AT will be joined at RM’s Monterey by no less than 17 other examples from the Modenese Prancing Horse, including the previously announced 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spyder by Scaglietti.

With only three Ferrari 340 Mexico Berlinettas built, this aggressive coupe has to be considered one of the premier collector cars ever built by Ferrari. It was driven flat-out by a World Champion in what’s generally agreed to be the most dangerous road race in history, which gives it a spectacular pedigree. And its successful historic outings guarantee excitement and admiration for the next owner, who’s bound to be welcome anywhere he chooses to compete, be it the Mille Miglia Storica or any concours event around the world. A comprehensive file of documents and photographs accompanies the car.

Furthermore, the car was recently inspected by Brooke Betz, who confirms that “all stampings and numbers appear original and match those on the Ferrari build sheets.” Betz, a highly respected Ferrari authority summarized the car best: “it is likely the best 340 Mexico in existence.”