A 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione Tour de France and a 1964 Shelby 289 Competition Cobra will be among the featured offerings at the 2014 RM Auctions London sale, scheduled for 8 September at Battersea Evolution on the banks of the River Thames in central London. These two competition cars lead a roster of more than 70 automobiles at the RM evening sale.
The Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione on offer, chassis 0563 GT, is the eighth of nine 1956 250 GT Tour de Frances built, and is eligible for every historic motoring event, including the Mille Miglia.Originally sold new to Racing Sport S.r.l, of Torino, Italy, it was immediately leased to Jacques Peron, of Nice, France, at which point it began its racing career, campaigned by Peron and co-driver Jacques Bertrammier at the 1956 annual Tour de France Automobile. Peron and Bertrammier finished 8th overall, behind de Portago and Nelson, with Peron back behind the wheel at the Coupes du Salon in Montlhéry that same year, finishing 2nd overall. Chassis 0563 GT went on to score numerous significant race results over the next two seasons before being sold and exported to the United States in 1959. Restoration work has led to numerous Concours titles, as well as many appearances at retrospective events since, including at the 2014 Tour de France rally. A matching-numbers example and certified by Ferrari Classiche, it is expected to fetch in excess of £4,500,000.
Augustin Sabatié-Garat, Car Specialist, RM Auctions – Europe, said, “In many ways, the TdF is the ultimate symbol of Ferrari’s long pursuit of perfecting the dual-purpose sports car. As a result of their extremely low production numbers and, in turn, high desirability, these cars rarely make their way to the open market. Chassis 0563 GT is a very compelling example of its breed, as it boasts two top 10 finishes in the very race that earned the car its fabled nickname.”
In addition to the Tour de France, the 2014 RM Auctions London auction will see a roster of no less than 20 examples from the famed Italian marque, 12 of which come from a single private collection in Switzerland. With models spanning more than three decades of production, enthusiasts of the legendary marque can choose from a stylish 1961 250 GTE (Est. £180,000–£240,000) through to a 1995 456 GT (Est. £40,000-£60,000). Another star consignment is the 1966 275 GTB, chassis 8199, that features the long-nosed, alloy-bodied configuration (Est. £1,900,000–£2,200,000). Other notable Ferraris include a 1968 330 GTC (Est. £400,000–£500,000), a 1972 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta (Est. £450,000–£550,000) and a 1989 F40 (Est. £395,000-£495,000).
The 1964 Shelby 289 Competition Cobra on offer at the RM Auctions London 2014 sale, chassis CSX 2430, is a Team Specification Cobra, prepared by Shelby and raced as a factory-sponsored entry. Successful both period and historic racing events, it was first campaigned by “Gentleman” Tom Payne in 1964 and 1965. Payne debuted the car at Lynndale Farms, Wisconsin, before competing in events across the Mid-West United States in the summer of 1964, consistently finishing on the podium. In that same year, he took the car to Nassau and fared well, finishing 2nd in the GT class, 9th overall and 1st in the GT class in the Tourist Trophy, Governor’s Trophy and Trophy Races, respectively. Success on the track continued into the 1965 season and beyond, piloted by such names as Gerber, Yeager and Bob Grossman. It is understood that even Carroll Shelby got behind the wheel of CSX 2430 at the Texas Can-Am Challenge in the mid-1980s — an appearance that reportedly marked his last time in a Competition Cobra and racing one on the track. Soon after, CSX 2430 was restored by Cobra authority Bill Murray before going on long-term display at the Shelby American Collection for nearly 25 years. Featured in many books and press articles, it is offered at RM’s London sale from a private collection, and presents an opportunity not only for the Shelby enthusiast but also the competitive vintage racer (Estimate: just under £1,500,000).
“When it comes to provenance, CSX 2430 certainly ticks all the boxes. It boasts fantastic period and vintage racing pedigree, has been restored by one of the world’s most respected Cobra authorities, and has also been linked to some of the most distinguished names in the racing and collecting communities,” commented Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Auctions – Europe.
The official auction of the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, RM Auctions’ central London evening sale returns to Battersea Evolution on 8 September, with a preview of auction vehicles scheduled for 7 September. For full event information, or to view a complete list of entries, visit www.rmauctions.com or contact RM’s London office at +44 (0) 20 7851 7070. For more information on the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, visit concoursofelegance.co.uk.
[Source: RM Auctions]
