RM/Sotheby's is offering 22 Le Mans-related cars at Le Mans on June 9, 2023. Racing cars with history do not come cheap, yet the average estimate of EUR 1.875 million is surprising. In total, the 22 vehicles, which are on average 42 years old and include a non-running show car, are worth EUR 41.25 million.
Runner Up
Although there are no ultimate Le Mans winners on offer, a number of the racing cars finished in the top positions and achieved pole position or the fastest lap.
The Rothmans Porsche
Porsche built three Type 962 works cars for the Rothmans team for the 1985 and 1986 World Championships, chassis 962-004 is one of the three cars. Derek Bell, Al Holbert, Jacky Ickx, Klaus Ludwig, Jochen Mass, Vern Schuppan, Hans Stuck and John Winter were among those at the wheel. In 1986, the car was on pole position at Le Mans, but overall the works racer often failed to finish, including at Le Mans.
One of these former works cars is going under the hammer for the first time, with an estimate of EUR 6 to 9 million.
The Delahaye 135 S
The 1936 Delahaye 135 S with Pourtour bodywork came second in the 1938 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 20 years, this car competed in almost 50 mostly major racing events and was owned for a long time by Ferrari importer Charles Pozzi.
EUR 1.5 to 2 million is now expected for the speedy Frenchman.
A second pre-war Le Mans contender is the 1932 Aston Martin Le Mans "LM8", which finished seventh in 1932 and won the eighth "Biennial Cup". EUR 950,000 to 1.35 million is enough to get you started.
The Ferrari 121 LM
Chassis 0546 LM competed in the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Mille Miglia. Drivers included Maurice Trintignant, Harry Schell and Piero Taruffi.
The elegant Barchetta with an in-line six-cylinder engine specially developed for Lampredi's racing cars is now expected to cost EUR 5.5 to 6.5 million.
The second Ferrari on offer also has Le Mans history: the 365 GTB/4 from 1969 with chassis 12467 took part in the 1971 24 Hours and finished fifth overall. This will be honored with EUR 4.8 to 5.2 million.
The Martini-Lancia LC 2
In 1984, the Lancia LC2 with chassis number 0005 was on pole at Le Mans and was also able to set the fastest lap in the race, but only finished eighth overall.
Instead, he won the 1000 km of Kyalami in 1984 and was victorious at Le Mans in 1985. Now EUR 2.2 to 2.4 million has been estimated for the elegant racer.
The Silk Cut Jaguar XJR-12 LM
The 1991 Jaguar XJR-12 LM with chassis TWR-J12C-891 finished fourth in the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans and later came second at Daytona and fourth at Sebring.
Now the eye-catching mid-engine racer is expected to fetch EUR 2.5 to 3 million from bidders.
The 1958 Lister-Jaguar "Knobbly" will be somewhat cheaper. This is the only "Knobbly" that ever raced at Le Mans. It even has a road registration and was valued by RM at EUR 1.45 to 1.8 million.
The other Le Mans cars
RM's range includes a whole series of younger and more modern Le Mans participants. However, more exotic Le Mans racing cars will also go under the hammer at Le Mans, such as an Osca MT4 from 1954 with chassis number 1147.
It is one of only two Osca MT4s to have raced at Le Mans in 1954. EUR 1.3 to 1.5 million is expected.
The Alpine A210 from 1967 with chassis number 1725 competed three times at Le Mans. It won its class twice, but also took part in other international events and was never fully restored. EUR 1.2 to 1.5 million should ensure entry into the flounder.
The Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Series III from 1963 with chassis number 4155 also competed at Le Mans, albeit not as a participant vehicle but as the 1963 safety car. The specific accessories for Le Mans were fitted by none other than Henry Chapron. At EUR 550,000 to 650,000, it is one of the cheaper cars in the auction.
A Porsche 911 GT3 R from 2000 or a Spyker C8 GTR2-R from 2005 are even more affordable options for a Le Mans participant; the other cars are more expensive, apart from the immobile Porsche 919 Show Car from 2014, which is listed in the catalog at EUR 80,000 to 120,000 with no reserve price.
Two other cars are offered without a reserve price, namely a Rondeau M482 from 1983 and the aforementioned Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2.
Further information on the cars and many pictures can be viewed on the RM/Sotheby's website.
Offered Vehicles
The following table lists all offered vehicles with estimated prices. The price conversion was made at the exchange rate valid at the time of publication. All information is provided without guarantee.
| Lot | Car | Year | NoR | EUR Est from | EUR Est to | CHF Est from | CHF Est to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 103 | Rondeau M482 | 1983 | Yes | 400'000 | 500'000 | 388'000 | 485'000 |
| 104 | Chrysler Viper GTS-R | 1996 | 600'000 | 700'000 | 582'000 | 679'000 | |
| 105 | Nissan R90CK | 1990 | 1'000'000 | 1'500'000 | 970'000 | 1'455'000 | |
| 106 | Porsche 911 GT3 R | 2000 | 250'000 | 350'000 | 242'500 | 339'500 | |
| 107 | Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Series III 'Le Mans Safety Car' | 1963 | Yes | 550'000 | 650'000 | 533'500 | 630'500 |
| 108 | Ferrari F430 GTC | 2006 | 750'000 | 1'000'000 | 727'500 | 970'000 | |
| 109 | Aston Martin DBR9 GT1 | 2007 | 2'100'000 | 2'500'000 | 2'037'000 | 2'425'000 | |
| 110 | Jaguar XJ220 C LM | 1993 | 1'600'000 | 2'200'000 | 1'552'000 | 2'134'000 | |
| 111 | Alpine A210 | 1967 | 1'200'000 | 1'500'000 | 1'164'000 | 1'455'000 | |
| 112 | Venturi 600 S-LM | 1993 | 300'000 | 400'000 | 291'000 | 388'000 | |
| 113 | OSCA MT4 by Morelli | 1954 | 1'300'000 | 1'500'000 | 1'261'000 | 1'455'000 | |
| 114 | Saleen S7-R | 2008 | 1'200'000 | 1'500'000 | 1'164'000 | 1'455'000 | |
| 115 | Porsche 962 | 1985 | 6'000'000 | 9'000'000 | 5'820'000 | 8'730'000 | |
| 116 | Spyker C8 GT2-R | 2005 | 250'000 | 350'000 | 242'500 | 339'500 | |
| 117 | Lister-Jaguar 'Knobbly' | 1958 | 1'450'000 | 1'800'000 | 1'406'500 | 1'746'000 | |
| 118 | Delahaye 135 S by Pourtout | 1936 | 1'500'000 | 2'000'000 | 1'455'000 | 1'940'000 | |
| 119 | Lancia LC2 | 1984 | 2'200'000 | 2'400'000 | 2'134'000 | 2'328'000 | |
| 120 | Jaguar XJR-12 LM | 1991 | 2'500'000 | 3'000'000 | 2'425'000 | 2'910'000 | |
| 121 | Aston Martin Le Mans 'LM8' | 1932 | 950'000 | 1'350'000 | 921'500 | 1'309'500 | |
| 122 | Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione | 1969 | 4'800'000 | 5'200'000 | 4'656'000 | 5'044'000 | |
| 123 | Ferrari 121 LM Spider by Scaglietti | 1955 | 5'500'000 | 6'500'000 | 5'335'000 | 6'305'000 | |
| 124 | Porsche 919 Show Car | 2014 | Yes | 80'000 | 120'000 | 77'600 | 116'400 |
All information is provided without guarantee.
Legend: Column NoR = No Reserve (no minimum price), Column S = Status (V = Sold, N = Not sold, Z = Withdrawn, U = Under reserve)
Est = Estimate, HP = Hammer Price, SP = Sale Price
