Michael Jordan's long-lost Ferrari to be auctioned in September
A 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello customized for Michael Jordan, missing from public view for over two decades, will be auctioned this September with an estimated value of $700,000 to $1.3 million. The car was rediscovered in California after a decade-long search and returned to Chicago, where it was originally delivered to Jordan in 1997. The Ferrari inspired the Air Jordan 14 design and was driven by Jordan after the Bulls' 1997 NBA Finals victory.
The Ferrari’s custom modifications included altered seat rails and extra padding to accommodate Jordan’s 6-foot-6 frame, a detail that underscores how personal the vehicle was to him. Its design directly influenced the Air Jordan 14 sneaker, linking the car to one of the most iconic shoe lines in sports history. After Jordan sold it in 2002, the car vanished for over two decades until a partial chassis number posted online helped reconstruct its full VIN, leading to its discovery in California. The original paperwork, including Jordan’s 1997 Illinois title, was still in the trunk.
The auction coincides with a booming market for celebrity-linked supercars, as evidenced by record sales at Monterey Car Week and notable past examples like Steve McQueen’s Porsche. Joopiter’s entry into this space pairs the Ferrari with Jordan’s 1998 Finals jersey, estimated at up to $15 million, creating a rare dual offering of championship-era memorabilia.
This auction could reshape how collectors value celebrity-owned vehicles, potentially setting a benchmark for sports memorabilia tied to iconic moments. Jordan’s global fan base may drive bidding beyond estimates, influencing future sales of athlete-owned cars and prompting more owners to verify provenance. It also highlights the growing crossover between sports nostalgia and high-end automotive investment, though market outcomes remain uncertain and dependent on buyer enthusiasm.