A 1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3 campaigned by Scuderia Ferrari in period will headline the 2017 RM Sotheby’s Paris auction, scheduled for 8 February at Place Vauban. The auction will mark the first time in over a decade that an Alfa P3 will be offered for public sale. RM’s annual Paris sale will also showcase a series of competition cars from across the decades; additional early highlights include an Osca MT4 1500 along with a pair of modern racers, both of which boast Le Mans provenance.
The Alfa Romeo P3 racing cars are regarded as among the first of the highly-focused, narrow centre line ‘slipper’ bodied, open-wheeled Grand Prix cars, and were one of the first European designs to shun the ‘one plus one’ seating of previous Grand Prix cars designed to carry ride-in mechanics.The Tipo B P3 is one of Alfa Romeo’s most significant models, rated by many as the most beautiful and effective racing car of its era. Launched in 1931, it experienced instant success in Grand Prix competition, taking first place at Monza and a 1-2-3 in both the French and the German Grand Prix. Part-way through the season, Alfa Romeo fell bankrupt during the Great Depression, but the racing team was salvaged by Scuderia Ferrari, which took over the running of the cars, enjoying continued success in 1932.
The 1934 season regulations stated that the P3’s size and shape must be a maximum of 750kg and a minimum 33.5 inches wide, hence the Second Series Tipo B. Offered for sale at RM Sotheby’s 2017 Paris is a later series 1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3, chassis 50006, the second of nine Second Series cars made. This example is one of three IFS Dubonnet front axle and reversed-quarter-elliptic rear spring cars produced. Presented in original condition, well-documented and benefitting from full FIA papers, chassis 50006 is estimated to bring between €3.600.000 – €4.600.000 when it goes under the hammer in February.
Another competitive machine set for RM’s Paris sale is the ex-de Portago 1954 Osca MT4 1500, the first twin ignition 1500 built. Raced extensively on the Italian circuit by Formula 1 driver Guilio Cabianca in 1954, chassis 1142 was purchased for Alfonso de Portago just in time for him to race the Nurburgring Rhineland Cup and Tour de France. Currently sporting its famous ‘Scuderia Espagna’ livery worn during the Carrera Panamericana, it would be a welcome sight on any historic track (Est. €975.000 – €1.175.000).
Peter Wallman, Managing Director of RM Sotheby’s Europe, said: “Headlining the sale with a P3 Alfa is a real honour. Evocative of the golden era of pre-war racing,with the likes of Nuvolari, the Flying Mantovan wrestling the wheel, the Scuderia Ferrari shields adorning the bonnet are an instant reminder of Enzo Ferrari’s early racing exploits. In addition to the P3, we are delighted to present the ex-Mille Miglia, ex-Targa Florio, ex-de Portago Osca MT4 1500 – the perfect entrant for future Mille Miglias and many other great historic events. That we are also consigning so many other special and rare cars to Paris is a strong indication of the continued confidence in the market and in the auction process, in particular.”
Additional highlights with race-pedigree set for the Paris grid include a 2008 Ferrari 430 GTC (Est. €275.000 – €375.000) and a 2010 Porsche 911 RSR (Est. €185.000 – €250.000), both of which have successfully competed in the 24 Heures du Mans among other events. Purchased by the vendor directly from the factory and campaigned as works cars with the outfit BMS Scuderia Italia, both vehicles have remained with the team from new.
Beyond the racing theme, RM’s Paris sale will also feature a 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider, chassis 16801. The featured Daytona is a matching-numbers example benefitting from a restoration by Rich Mullin at the official Ferrari Workshop (Est. €1.700.000 – €2.200.000).
Coinciding with the Rétromobile week (8-12 February, 2017), RM Sotheby’s Paris auction will be held at Place Vauban immediately after the Festival Automobile International which runs through 5 February.
For further information on RM Sotheby’s Paris sale, to view a frequently updated list of entries, visit www.rmsothebys.com or call RM Sotheby’s London office at +44 (0) 20 7851 7070.
[Source: RM Sotheby’s]
