Michael Jordan’s 1997 Ferrari Heads to JOOPITER Auction September 15–30
Michael Jordan’s 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello is heading to a JOOPITER auction scheduled for September 15–30. The auction house lists an estimated range of $700,000 to $1.3 million for the car, placing a recognizable piece of Jordan’s off-court life alongside the sneakers and memorabilia associated with his championship years. That figure is a presale estimate, not a completed sale price.
The catalog identifies the vehicle as chassis 108712, delivered to Jordan in May 1997. Its specification pairs Rosso Barchetta red paint with tan leather, chrome Speedline wheels, a 5.5-liter V12, and a six-speed gated manual transmission. JOOPITER says the original warranty documentation remains with the car and carries Jordan’s signature.
The auction house’s historical account connects the Ferrari to June 13, 1997, when Jordan left Chicago’s United Center after winning his fifth NBA championship. Its Illinois vanity plate read “MJ 5.” The car’s appeal rests partly in that recognizable combination of sporting achievement and personal style, rather than solely in its mechanical specification.
Its influence also reached footwear. JOOPITER traces the Air Jordan XIV’s design to the Maranello, identifying details such as the shield-shaped Jumpman badge, sculpted vents, and leather treatment. The connection makes the listing relevant to sneaker collectors as well as automotive enthusiasts: the object on the auction block helped inform a shoe associated with another chapter of Jordan’s Bulls career.
JOOPITER says Jordan sold the Ferrari through Lake Forest Sportscars in December 2002. Its listed provenance then places it in a private California collection until 2026, followed by CURATED. The accompanying feature describes CURATED co-founder John Temerian’s effort to locate and acquire the car. These ownership and rediscovery details are the sellers’ documented account.
The September sale gives collectors a defined window to follow the lot and review its available documentation. Readers can examine the catalog and condition information directly before considering a bid. For more on the intersection of design and everyday culture, explore PowerPage’s guide to Baltimore’s Good Neighbor Design Camp.
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