Last month two devastating earthquakes rocked northern Italy, destroying numerous buildings and claiming 25 lives as of yesterday.

The area where the earthquakes struck, the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, is not far from the home of Ferrari.

In an effort to raise funds for those affected by the earthquakes, Ferrari is hosting an international auction of some of its most collectible pieces of memorabilia from its past.

Speaking at the commencement of the auction, which started earlier today, Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo said, “I am sure we can count on the generosity of those close to Ferrari around the world who have always kindly supported this kind of initiative in the past. A terrible earthquake struck our region and the people we know, and together we want to help the families of the victims in this time of need. We are holding an auction of some truly unique and exclusive items for all Ferrari’s friends and enthusiasts to whom I would already like to express my heart-felt thanks.”

The highlight of the auction is a 599XX Evo, which has a starting bid of €1.35 million (approximately $1.7 million). Part of Ferrari’s arrive-and-drive Corse Clienti program, the 599XX Evo includes factory support from Ferrari at driving events worldwide.

V-8 engine from Ferrari's 2008 Formula 1 race car

V-8 engine from Ferrari's 2008 Formula 1 race car

The particular car has been built specifically for this occasion and  has a number of unique features, including a special plaque dedicated by Luca di Montezemolo and Ferrari’s Formula 1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa--the three of them will also personally hand the car over to the lucky new owner at the Monza Grand Prix in September.

There are a number of other rare pieces from the world of Formula 1, starting with a 2008 V-8 engine, with which the Scuderia team won its 16th Constructors’ World Championship title. It has a reserve price of €50,000 ($62,700).

Nose cone from Ferrari F60 Formula 1 race car

Nose cone from Ferrari F60 Formula 1 race car

Collectors and enthusiasts can also bid on racing suits, gloves and helmets autographed by Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, an original nose cone from the F60, the F1 car that saw Ferrari celebrate its 60th consecutive year in the World Championship, and a Formula 1 racing suit from Giancarlo Fisichella.

If your budget won’t cover any big ticket items, a selection of goods from the Ferrari Store will ensure that fans of all incomes have something to bid on. You may not be able to afford Alonso’s Nomex suit, but we’ll bet you’ll get more use from a Ferrari polo shirt, anyway.

Clients, collectors and Ferrari enthusiasts alike will be able to make their contribution on the www.ferrari.com website. The auction will end on June 20.