RM Sotheby’s, in partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, announces the sale of some of the world’s most desirable and historically significant cars.
The cars will headline premier auctions through February at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, in Paris during Rétromobile Week and in Miami, during ModaMiami, the company noted in a press release announcing the events.
Proceeds will benefit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and allow the Museum to further enhance and care for its collection of Indianapolis 500 and Indianapolis Motor Speedway artifacts.
Among the legendary automobiles on offer are a 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss; Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt’s 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning Ferrari 250 LM; the 1966 Ford GT40 MK II campaigned by Holman-Moody at the 1966 24 Hours of Sebring and 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans; arguably the most desirable Corvette in existence, the Zora Arkus-Duntov-designed 1957 Chevrolet Corvette SS Project XP-64; and some of the most significant Grand Prix and racing cars from the early 1900s.
“We at RM Sotheby’s are beyond honored to have been entrusted to sell this collection of some of the most historically important cars to have ever been created,” said Gord Duff, president, RM Sotheby’s. “From the 1954 Mercedes Benz W 196 R that was raced by Stirling Moss and Fangio, to the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM that not only won Le Mans but went on to race five more 24 Hour events, to what we believe to be one of the most important Brass Era cars ever to come to auction, the 1908 Mercedes 17.3-liter with known ownership from new. Then there is the 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II, the 1957 Corvette SS and Craig Breedlove’s 600-plus-mph Spirit of America Sonic I. Many of these cars have been with the museum for more than half a century and this is truly an unrepeatable opportunity.”
Stuttgart, Germany – In Association with Mercedes-Benz Heritage
In close collaboration with the Mercedes-Benz Heritage and following the record-breaking sale of the Uhlenhaut Coupé for $142 million, the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen holds the unique distinction of being driven by two of motor racing’s best drivers, Juan Manuel Fangio and Sir Stirling Moss. Donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by the Mercedes-Benz factory in 1965, the iconic W 196 R will be auctioned in an exclusive, standalone event on Feb. 1, 2025.
“The renowned W 196 R Silver Arrows stand for our brilliant Formula One successes of the mid-1950s. RM Sotheby’s auctioning of one of these racing cars from the collection of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is an outstanding highlight. We are proud to host this auction at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. The experts at our Classic Centre are currently working on a manufacturer’s expert report regarding the originality and authenticity of the vehicle. This unique service is part of the close collaboration of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH with RM Sotheby’s and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum,” said Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage
Paris, France – Held during Rétromobile Week
The 1964 Ferrari 250 LM was one of Luigi Chinetti’s NART entries for the 1965 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a race in which Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt, driving this car, achieved an impressive first overall finish, a feat not accomplished again by a Ferrari until 2023. The car would go on to race in two additional 24 Hours of Le Mans and was a three-time entrant at the 24 Hours of Daytona.
An icon of motorsport and a hallowed piece of Ferrari, Le Mans, and NART history, this legendary 250 LM will be auctioned in Paris on Feb. 4-5.
Miami, Florida – The Official Auction of ModaMiami “The Ultimate Luxury Event”
The 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II is a highly correct example of Ford’s titanic 7-liter second-series GT40, campaigned by the legendary race team Holman-Moody at the 1966 24 Hours of Sebring, driven by Walt Hansgen and Mark Donohue, and then at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it was driven by Mark Donohue and Paul Hawkins. Following Le Mans, the car was shown in Europe before going on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 1968. This car is estimated at $8 million-$11 million.
The 1957 Chevrolet Corvette SS Project XP-64 is the first purpose-built GM race car, and a personal project of the legendary Zora Arkus-Duntov. Known internally as Project XP-64, it represents a design exercise in lightweight construction and aerodynamics in an effort for GM to compete on the world’s biggest racing stages against European sports cars in endurance events.
This is the sole Corvette SS completed and it was famously raced at the 1957 12 Hours of Sebring by noted racing drivers John Fitch and Piero Taruffi. This car is estimated at $5 million -$7 million.
The 1908 Mercedes 17.3-Liter 150 HP ‘Brookland’ Semmering Rennwagen is one of three surviving Mercedes racecars of the “Brookland” type, named in honor of its accomplishments at the famous Brooklands British racing circuit, and is the only one with a fully documented race history. This car epitomizes the pinnacle of chain-drive, large-displacement Grand Prix cars, with the Mercedes being the most advanced and successful of the era.
This represents the ultimate development of the original Mercedes design, officials state, which produced the massive leap in performance that established Mercedes as one of the greatest automakers of all time. This car is estimated at $7- $9 million.
The 1991 Benetton B191 Formula 1 was used by Michael Schumacher in his first full season in Formula One. He drove the car in the very first race of the 1992 season, the South African Grand Prix, a race in which Schumacher started 6th and would finish fourth behind Nigel Mansell, Riccardo Patrese and Ayrton Senna, respectively.
The car was later driven at the 1992 Mexican Grand Prix and Brazilian Grand Prix by British Formula One driver and current F1 commentator Martin Brundle. This car is estimated at $600,000-$800,000.
The 1907 Itala 120 HP Works Racing Car is one of three surviving big-displacement competition Italas, and one of only two surviving 1907 Itala racing cars. Unlike many road and racing cars of its time, this racing machine features a 14.5-litre engine and is shaft-driven, contrasting with the chain-driven Mercedes of the same era. This car is estimated at $2 million-$3 million.
The 1930 Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix is a rare, supercharged variant of arguably one of the most successful racing models of all time. It boasts known ownership from new with just six owners, and was heavily campaigned in Europe early in its life by noted drivers Georges Bouriano and Arthur Legat.
It raced before and after WWII at important venues including Monaco, Dieppe, Comminges, the Bugatti Grand Prix at Le Mans and Chimay, as well as hill climb events. This car is estimated at $1 million- $1.8 million.
The 1911 Laurin & Klement Type S2 Sportswagen is the sole surviving example of Laurin & Klement’s S2 Sportswagen, a fascinating Edwardian thoroughbred boasting period competition history and wild engineering features, including an early implementation of active aerodynamics.
It has remained in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum since 1964. This car is estimated at $100,000-$150,000.
Named after Craig Breedlove’s ultimate goal of breaking the sound barrier, the jet-powered 1965 Spirit of America Sonic I would set the land speed record on 15 November 1965 on Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats with a run of 600.601 mph.
This was the fastest recorded run of Breedlove’s entire legendary career. Craig’s wife, Lee, also set the women’s land speed record in this car, averaging 308.56 mph. The car is estimated at $500,000-$1 million.
The 1911 Mercedes 22/40 HP “Colonial” Double Phaeton is an astonishingly authentic example of Mercedes’ luxurious 22/40 HP, this special car was configured in “Colonial” specification, with dual chain drive improving ground clearance and widening its track; a rare and highly original survivor ideally suited to Brass Era touring events.
The highly complete and unmodified car is estimated at $150,000-$250,000.
