The Bachman Collection contains a wonderful group of Ferraris that will now be scattered around the world. Largely unused, will they become stashed away as if they were museum pieces or will they be used as Enzo intended? Either way we are only caretakers until the next owner takes over.

      Come January, Mecum Auctions is going to auction off the Bachman Ferrari Collection.

      The Bachmans, Phil and Martha, put together a collection of Ferraris that would make any Ferrarista jealous.

      Carefully curated, the Bachmans strove to purchase the last of many different models off the line.

      Yellow was their color of choice. While many of the cars in their collection are yellow, not all are, there are other colors that graced the collection.

     One of the other attributes to the collection was how low mileage was coveted. Many of the Ferraris have delivery miles only.

      As collections go, this one must be one of the best. Diverse high-quality cars will now have to find new homes.

      The forty-six Ferraris are all being sold at Mecum’s Kissimmee, Florida, location. I’m sure all eyes will be on the results of this auction.

     But it brings up another point of view.

     As a collection, together, it is an impressive sight. When sold, these special and sometimes unique Ferraris will never live together under the same roof.

     They will be scattered into new homes and collections. They will begin a new chapter in someone else’s life.

     For many years into the future these cars will be known as Phil Bachman cars. His name will be associated with the history of the car.

     Since many of the modern cars have delivery mileage only on them it is difficult to see any of these examples being put on the road to be driven in anger or enjoyment.

     They have become museum pieces. Objets d’art placed upon a pedestal never to be enjoyed as intended but to be viewed only for their beauty.

     In time, the new caretaker will assume the role and when sold again, and again, and again, the Bachman Collection will become a mere distant memory.

     As a collection the grouping of Ferraris is impressive. Individually, is each Ferrari as impressive?

     Over the years I have seen the Ferrari world go from owners enthusiastically driving and using their cars, as Enzo Ferrari intended.

     There is a synergy that comes from mastering the steed and becoming one with the mechanical being.

      Today it would seem that there is a collection mentality that encourages owning, but not driving, the Ferrari automobile. Low miles rule.

     I see low milage as someone who never got to become one with the machine. Never explored what Ferrari is all about. The mechanical mastery of how the symphony of noise and feel is transmitted through the chassis deep into the human soul.

     As an object, there is no denying a Ferrari can move a person’s emotions. There is beauty in every Ferrari that strikes something deep inside us.

     Collectors collect. I get that. I still think you are only receiving a small piece of what a Ferrari is or can do.

     Whether you collect static Ferraris or drive the wheels off them, owning a Ferrari IS special.

     Because they are special, we should always treat them with respect. Of all the Ferraris ever made, most are still with us. Why is that?

     Because they are special and evoke emotions that cannot always be expressed in words.

     Old Fords and Chevrolets die off. They get repurposed into refrigerators or beer cans. Old Ferraris are continually rebuilt, restored or repurposed into other desirable models (think SWB and GTO rebody).

     A Ferrari never goes away, it has lasting power and as such we must always remember we may own it today, but one day it will grace another’s garage.

     We are only caretakers. Our job is to cherish and enjoy your Ferrari today because one day it will become someone else’s pride and joy.

     Make the most of your time with your Ferrari—enjoy it!  Forza Ferrari!