A beautiful Bugatti Type 51A with extensive pre-war racing history and a historically significant, totally unrestored Porsche 911 2.7 RS Lightweight used by Leo Kinnunen are among the featured entries for RM Sotheby’s Monaco Sale on May 12, during the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique weekend. Both cars were featured on the RM Sotheby’s stand at the recent Retromobile show in Paris (above, photo courtesy of RM Sotheby’s).
The stunning 1933 Bugatti Type 51A (chassis no. 51154), one of the most iconic Grand Prix cars of all time, is resplendent in French racing blue, and boasts exemplary provenance, having passed through the hands of some of the world’s most respected collectors. The car was first registered by Automobiles Ettore Bugatti at Préfecture du Bas-Rhin on July 4, 1933. It was raced extensively by no less than René Dreyfus and Claude “Barowski” Bossu, while in more recent times has competed at the Goodwood Revival and the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique.
The incredibly original 1972 Porsche 911 2.7 RS Lightweight comes from a small single-owner collection of significant Porsches. As the jewel of the early Porsche 911 range, any 2.7 RS Lightweight is a special car, but when such a car is in exceptional and totally unrestored condition with outstanding documented provenance, it is surely a prize to be coveted by any serious collector of the Stuttgart marque. Chassis no. 9113601177 was delivered new to racing driver Leo Kinnunen while he was driving for Porsche in a fearsome Interserie 917. Finished in Tangerine with a black interior, the car is notable for its prototype “whale tail” rear spoiler, and also features ST flared wheel arches, fitted by Porsche at Kinnunen’s request.
For further information on these and all the other cars on offer at RM Sotheby’s Monaco sale, please visit www.rmsothebys.com
