Automotive
Michael Jordan's 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello heads to auction
The customized grand tourer driven during the Chicago Bulls championship era is being offered via Joopiter and Curated.
The short version
- A 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello previously owned by NBA star Michael Jordan has surfaced for public auction.
- The vehicle features custom seating modifications tailored to Jordan's height and retains its "MJ 5" vanity plate.
- Projections indicate bidding could exceed the recent model record of $650,000, though the final sale price remains to be determined.
Key facts
- Michael Jordan took delivery of the red-over-tan 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello around the time of his fifth NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls in June 1997.[Car and Driver]
- The vehicle includes custom factory interior adjustments, specifically longer seat rails and thinner padding, to accommodate Jordan's height.[Car and Driver]
- Jordan sold the car at the end of 2002, and it currently displays just under 19,000 miles on the odometer.[Car and Driver]
- The sports collectibles platform Joopiter, established by Pharrell Williams, is handling the auction in collaboration with automotive specialist Curated.[Car and Driver]
- The styling of this car served as inspiration for Nike designer Tinker Hatfield's creation of the Air Jordan XIV basketball sneaker.[Car and Driver]
What remains uncertain
- The ultimate sale price remains unknown, though projections suggest it may surpass the prior $650,000 auction record for the model.[Car and Driver]