When back-to-back earthquakes struck Italy’s Emilia Romagna region last May, Ferrari was one of the first companies to step up to the plate to provide assistance for those impacted by the disaster. The Italian automaker quickly organized a charity auction, with the crown jewel of the auction being a Ferrari 599XX Evo.
If you’re wondering why you’ve never seen a 599XX Evo at Cars and Coffee, there’s a reason: the 740 horsepower, v-12 powered prancing horse is part of Ferraris Corse Clienti program, which means the car isn’t legal for road use. Instead, owners have the opportunity to drive their cars at scheduled track days, booked at some of the greatest circuits in the world.
As Left Lane News explains, the winning bidder paid $1.78 million for the privilege of owning the 599XX Evo. In addition to the use of the car (which is stored and maintained by Ferrari), the winning bidder had his picture taken with Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo and Ferrari F1 drivers Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso.
Wondering who the lucky bidder was? None other than Google’s Benjamin Sloss, proving that (for some, anyway) there really is money to be made on the internet.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
