December 2015 - US auction previews
18 November, 2015
RM Sotheby’s have secured the ex-works 1956 Ferrari 290 MM for its ‘Driven by Disruption’ sale, to be held in New York on 10 December. Chassis 0626 boasts an illustrious period racing history, having been built for Juan Manuel Fangio to compete in the 1956 Mille Miglia, a race in which he drove single-handedly to finish 4th. Career highlights include 1st overall in the 1957 World Championship Buenos Aires 1000 KM, driven by Eugenio Castellotti, Luigi Musso, and Masten Gregory. The car was also campaigned by Phil Hill, Wolfgang von Trips, Alfonso de Portago, Peter Collins, Olivier Gendebien and Jo Bonnier. Despite its motorsport pedigree, '0626' was never crashed and retains its original chassis, matching-numbers engine, gearbox, and body. (Estimate $28,000,000 – 32,000,000).
Other big hitters in the sale include a 1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato, the 14th of just 19 produced (estimate $15,000,000 – 17,000,000) and a 1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial, chassis 0564MD/0424MD (estimate $5,000,000 – 7,000,000).
Another car with a period race career is a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Sportabteilung’ Gullwing. The first of four factory-upgraded race prepared Gullwings, chassis number 5500640 placed second overall at the 1956 Tour de France, driven by Stirling Moss. (Estimate $5,000,000 – 7,000,000).
Highlights among the 31 lots to go under the hammer also include; a 1972 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV, freshly restored by marque experts and overseen by factory test driver Valentino Balboni (estimate $2,200,000 – 2,600,000); a 1954 Pegaso Z-102 3.2 Berlinetta with a pre-sale estimate of $800,000 – 1,000,00; and a 1964 Porsche 356 C 1600 SC Cabriolet, once owned by Janis Joplin (estimate $400,000 – 600,000).
