One of James Hunt’s McLaren Formula 1 racing cars will be among the headline entries at the 2013 RK Motors Collector Car Auctions event, scheduled to be held October 31st to November 3rd at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
RK Motors Collector Car Auctions (RKMCCA) announced that at their inaugural Charlotte sale they will offer collectors the chance to purchase the McLaren M26 that James Hunt piloted to victory at the 1977 Japanese Grand Prix.This win would be the last for Hunt, the World Champion of 1976.
With this high-profile offering, RKMCCA is undoubtedly aiming to capitalize on the resurgence of Hunt in the media thanks to all the hype leading up to the release of Ron Howard’s new movie, Rush. Hunt plays a central role in the film, which centers on his relationship and rivalry with Niki Lauda during the 1976 Formula One World Championship. (See Rush review).
The 1977 McLaren M26, chassis number 3, is powered by a Ford Cosworth DFV V8 that pumps out 525 hp at 10,600 RPMs. The preserved M26 is race-ready, capable of 0-60 in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 195 mph. It has never been offered at public auction.
“We’re proud to present this unique investment opportunity for any collector who is passionate about one of the world’s most remarkable chapters of racing history,” said Bill Mathews, vice president of auctions, RKMCCA. “With Rush scheduled for national release later this month, the adrenaline-charged saga of Hunt and rival Lauda will no longer belong only to motorsports enthusiasts – it will introduce new generations to the pure joy – and the agony – of racing.”
The November RKMCCA auction will feature hundreds of collector cars representing multiple categories of vehicles, from America’s muscle cars to European entries. For more information, visit rkmcca.com.
[Source: RKMCCA]
