Selling Dreams on the Shores of Lake Como

Thirty-two meticulous automobiles are set to be sold in one of Europe's most exclusive resort areas on the eve of one of the most selective concours in the world. The total bounty of the auction could top $35 million. Yet one car stands alone in a field of the immaculate and the historic: a 1955 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta.

This is the one that has had enthusiasts drooling for months at the prospect of its sale and is one of just 10 of its kind ever built. It draws power from a 4,522-cc V12 with three Weber carburetors pushing out 340 hp. The body was crafted by Pininfarina, and the car is believed to be the last 375 MM. The auction house, RM, estimates that this Ferrari could sell for $4.75 million to $6 million.

Oh, and if RM's European director Max Girardo--who's supposed to love all of his auction lots equally--could drive one car home from the sale, this would be it.

Look at the picture. This car is gorgeous. And if you like cars (why would you be reading this if you don't), this is probably the one you would fire up and drive from the auction on the shores of Italy's Lake Como all the way to the afterlife if you could.

But it might not even be the top seller at the event. Take a breath. This is going to be extravagant and gaudy. And for car lovers around the globe, this small auction in a quiet Italian village bears monitoring this weekend.

It's called Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, and RM is having its first ever-auction during the car-show weekend, which dates to 1929. The Concorso has a rich history, though it was dormant for decades before returning in the mid-1990s. The sale will be held every other year, with RM playing host to an event in conjunction with the Monaco historics in the off years. That gives each of the events an air of exclusivity, and the fields are carefully chosen and sure to make enthusiasts drool.

That's why the iconic 375 MM might not even be the most expensive car at Villa d'Este. Heated competition likely will come from a 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS teardrop coupe with coachwork by Parisian firm Figoni et Falaschi. This French masterpiece won Best in Show at the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance in 2010, and could fetch $4.5 million to $5.5 million. A dark horse for top seller also might be the 1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider, which sales estimates place as high as $4.8 million. It is a four-time competitor at Targa Florio and the last four-cylinder Ferrari race car.

“These types of cars aren't cars you buy on a whim,” Girardo told AutoWeek. “At that level, the market is still very, very good.”

Really, the entire lineup of cars seems notable. They're all vintage and relatively rare, and they're all head-turners in some way. Take the collection of Bertone concepts being sold as the result the Italian design house's bankruptcy. The 1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero could net $1.4 million to $2.5 million. This wedge-shaped landmark of style was inspired by space-age themes. It is extremely close to the ground and narrow, employing a mid-engine configuration and offering space for two occupants.

Another Bertone concept sure to garner attention is the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Prototype, a one-off concept that could sell for as much as $2.5 million. This example has four seats and gullwing doors, with power coming from a rear-engine 3,929-cc V12. The chassis is based on a modified Miura and was shown at Geneva in 1967. Perhaps the best piece of trivia: This Lambo was piloted around the Monaco Grand Prix circuit in 1967 by Prince Rainier and Princess Grace.

From a visual perspective, the 1974

By Greg Migliore