Wine Festival trustee sees red Ferrari in his future

NAPLES — It was the lot to watch.

Less than a minute after auctioneer Humphrey Butler opened bidding on the Ferrari F12berlinetta, the smokin' hot car sold.

Bob Scott, a Naples Winter Wine Festival trustee, purchased the car — and all the goodies that go along with it – for $750,000. The bid, the highest of the night, helped the annual wine festival raise an estimated $8.5 million for children's charities supported by the Naples Children & Education Foundation.

"It's an incredible automobile and it's a chance to … support a good cause," he said.

Scott said he had his eye on the lot from the beginning. Bidding was fast and furious, and within seconds of opening the bid, the sum skyrocketed to $500,000. Scott won moments later.

Scott and his wife, Karen, were swarmed by friends and well-wishers. It didn't take long before auction patrons were asking Scott an important question: Can I borrow it?

Outside the tent, while the Scotts celebrated, auction patrons and automobile aficionados swooned over the vehicle and the missed opportunity.

Scott may have been itching to take the Ferrari for a spin, but it will be a few days before Neapolitans see him cruising the streets. Scott said the car on display was a European model and not U.S. road-ready.

He said he plans to chat with Ferrari officials Monday about when he can get his own little red, speed machine.