Some of the most significant cars ever built and raced will be auctioned by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in a series of just announced auctions.
The proceeds will be used to finance a comprehensive renovation of the museum and to bring machines onto the market that collectors have previously only been able to admire.
Eleven cars will be sold through RM Sotheby’s in December, with the estimated price for the entire collection being over $100 million.
A Mercedes W196, driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and Sterling Moss, has an estimated value of $50 to $70 million.
Another example of this car was sold in 2013 for a total amount (including fees) of over £20 million.
The specimen now for sale was no longer considered acceptable to private buyers.
This Ferrari won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1965.
Also for sale is a Ferrari 250LM. The LM stands for Le Mans and before 2024 this was the last Ferrari to win the legendary 24-hour race. Jochen Rindt and Masten Gregory drove this real car to victory in France in 1965.
The sale takes place without a cost estimate.
The Spirit of America-Sonic I broke the speed record five times. It was the first car to travel over 600 miles per hour in 1965.
A 1991-92 B191 Benetton was driven by both Nelson Piquet and Michael Scumacher.
Gord Duff, global head of auctions at RM Sotheby’s, said: “These vehicles are among the most significant cars ever sold. From the W196 driven by Moss/Fangio, to the 250 LM that won at Le Mans, to a car that set the land speed record, these vehicles are not just significant, they are the pinnacle of collecting.
“There’s almost nothing you can compare them to and knowing they’re being sold for such a good cause is a great feeling.”
It is very difficult to set a price for such individual cars.
The Monterey Car Week auctions are currently attracting collectors’ attention, with sales there totaling nearly $300 million in 2022.
This year, an Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider with an estimated value of 16 million dollars is for sale there.
This sale could rival the entire Monterey show in terms of money and prestige, and auto experts will be fascinated to see where these cars go.
