On the surface, a Ferrari Enzo being sold for $1.75 million at a RM Sotheby’s auction in Paris seems like a complete non-story. After all, with just about 400 ever models produced and a top speed of 221 mph, the Enzo understandably commands a high asking price.
But what makes this particular story so intriguing is that the Ferrari Enzo in question was successfully restored after being involved in a notorious and rather horrific 2006 car crash that literally split the car in two, an accident which made headlines around the world when it happened.
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Behind the wheel at the time was Stefan Eriksson, a career criminal and Swedish mafia member who, back in the mid-2000s, spent a fair amount of time masquerading around L.A. as a seasoned tech executive. Truth is stranger than fiction, as they say.
In any event, Eriksson in February of 2006 was driving drunk when his car smashed into a telephone pole, completely slicing the vehicle in two in the process. Some fun trivia facts: a) the car was in the process of being repossessed b) a gun clip was found near the scene of the accident.
Here’s what the car looked like following the crash, which Eriksson incredibly survived.
Apparently, when a beyond expensive car gets shredded in half, the last thing you do is send it to the junk yard. Instead, you send it back to the shop and restore it until it’s good as new.
The auction description reads in part:
The car left the factory in Maranello in January of 2004 and was sold new to its first owner through Maranello Concessionaires in the U.K. on 12 February 2004. The car then made its way to the United States in 2006, where it was unfortunately damaged in a road accident.
The chassis was repaired and overhauled at the Ferrari Technical Assistance Service, where it was finished in a stunning colour combination of Nero Daytona over Rosso leather seats. The car was built with a handful of special features, including satellite navigation, a Bose stereo system, a reversing camera, power windows, and a rear spoiler in carbon fibre with ‘Enzo script’, adding a touch of luxury to the otherwise spartan interior. Currently, the car has only 2,500 kilometres on its odometer and has remained in Europe since its rebuild. Furthermore, the car has been fully blessed and certified by Ferrari Classiche, confirming its authenticity in every way. Today, it remains in virtually as-new condition and is ready to be enjoyed on the open road.
Here’s what the car looks like today, after what was initially estimated to be about $300,000 in repairs.
Quite an incredible transformation to say the least.
For anyone interested, a news clip of the original 2006 crash can be viewed below.
As for what happened to Eriksson, he did a three-year stint in prison from 2006 – 2009. Following his release, he was deported back to Sweden whereupon he was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
More recently, Eriksson in October of 2014 was arrested after authorities pulled him over and discovered morphine and other drugs in the car, not to mention cocaine hidden in his underwear.
Classic Eriksson.
