RM Sotheby’s has partnered with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum to bring 11 highly significant cars to auction, headlined by the 1954 Mercedes W196 Streamliner, raced by legends Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss in period.
Why the sale? Although the IMS Museum has thousands of unique and historic racing artefacts, not everything aligns with the Museum’s mission. In an effort to not only raise important funding for the future of the museum, but refocus the museum to better reflect its goal of celebrating the history of this iconic motor circuit, it has decided to sell the last of the vehicles in its collection not directly connected to the Indianapolis 500 or Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
‘Our Stories Behind the Spectacle capital campaign is helping to fund the complete reimagining of the IMS Museum, from new structural and state-of-the-art technology installations to interactive exhibits and experiences. The deaccession and sale of these artefacts are earmarked specifically to help us create a more robust endowment to be used for caring for our collection, ensuring our long-term financial viability and position as an internationally recognised cultural institution for years to come.’ – Joe Hale, President, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 Streamliner ‘Monza’
This W196 holds the unique distinction of being driven by two of motor racing’s best drivers, Juan Manuel Fangio and Sir Stirling Moss. Originally featuring an open-wheel body, Fangio would pilot this car in a non-points race in Buenos Aires in 1954. Later on, this chassis would receive the iconic streamlined body work and was then driven by Moss at the 1955 Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
Later on, this chassis would receive the iconic streamlined body work and was then driven by Moss at the 1955 Italian Grand Prix at Monza
At the race Moss would achieve the fastest lap earning him one point in the World Drivers’ Championship that year. Mercedes-Benz subsequently used the car as a practice and test car. This Mercedes-Benz was donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in 1965 directly from the factory, and is estimated to sell for $50,000,000–70,000,000.
1964 Ferrari 250 LM
This historically significant Ferrari 250 LM was the Chinetti/NART entry for the 1965 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a race in which Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt achieved an impressive first overall finish, a feat not accomplished again by a Ferrari until 2023. Following Le Mans, the Ferrari would compete in the 1966 24 Hours of Daytona finishing sixth in class and ninth overall with Jochen Rindt and Bob Bondurant behind the wheel.
Incredibly, of the eight races it participated in during its racing career, seven were 24-hour endurance races – a three-time entrant in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and a four-time entrant in the 24 Hours of Daytona
Two months later it was displayed at the New York Auto Show. This 250 LM would go on to compete at Le Mans two more times, making it a three-time entrant in the 24-hour endurance classic, and one of just six Ferraris to compete at Le Mans three times in the Enzo era (1947 to 1988). Incredibly, of the eight races it participated in during its racing career, seven were 24-hour endurance races – a three-time entrant in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and a four-time entrant in the 24 Hours of Daytona. This special Ferrari has been shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. The Ferrari was acquired by the IMS Museum in 1972 from Kirk F. White.
Also to be offered later in the year…
1966 Ford GT40 Mk II – Making its racing debut as the Holman-Moody entry at Sebring in 1966, driven by Walt Hansgen and Mark Donohue, they finished second behind Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby in the Shelby American entry. To date it marked the best finish for Holman-Moody at Sebring. Following further testing, this car was prepared by Holman-Moody for the 1966 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans where it was driven by Mark Donohue and Paul Hawkins.
1957 Chevrolet Corvette SS Project XP64 – This Corvette SS is one of just two examples built, this and a prototype. Corvette SS made its racing debut at Sebring 1957 to critical acclaim, earning a pole position to start the race for team drivers John Fitch and Piero Taruffi. Sebring would mark the car’s first and only race as just a few weeks later the Automobile Manufacturers Association (AMA) enacted a ban on motor racing for member companies which included GM and its Chevrolet Division.
1908 Mercedes Brookland-Semmering Rennwagen – Purpose-built as a works entry for the 1908 Semmering Hill Climb, this car has higher specs than a Grand Prix car of its time, standing out as a prime example of early racing cars. With a 150HP 17.4-liter engine built specifically for one race, it not only won but set a course record. This one-off car drove to the 1909 race under its own power and won again setting a record that stood for 15 years. Of the three surviving Mercedes race cars of the Brookland type, this is the only one with a fully documented race history.
1991 Benneton B191 Formula 1 Car – With Benneton’s new car not yet ready for the 1992 season, 1991 cars were utilised for the first three races of the year. Camel Benneton-Ford team drivers for 1992 were Martin Brundle and Michael Schumacher. Schumacher had competed in the last five races of the 1991 season and 1992 marked his first full year in Formula 1. This car was used by Schumacher in the very first race of the 1992 season, the South African Grand Prix.
1907 Itala – Unlike road cars of the time, this racing machine features a 14.5-liter engine and is shaft-driven, contrasting with the chain-driven Mercedes of the same era. Built by the Itala factory in Torino, Italy, and driven by Henri Fournier, the 1907 Itala is a renowned example of early Grand Prix racing excellence.
1928 Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix – The 1928 Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix is a legendary car with a storied history. Produced in 1928, it is believed to have been retained and raced by the factory. Delivered new to Georges Bouriano, a Romanian racing driver, in the spring of 1930, it was originally painted dark red. Bouriano competed in the car until he sold it in 1934 to French driver Arthur Legat, who raced it successfully. The next owner, Pierre Vingerhoedts of Antwerp, gave the car a new racing body in the 1950s. It then passed to Jean de Dobbeleer, and later to Mr. Felton, who was the Vice President of VSCCA. The Feltons donated the car to the IMS Museum in 1960.
1911 Laurin & Klement Racer – This car is exactly as it was in its period. Commissioned by Baron Leo Haan, it is likely the first car ever to incorporate active aerodynamics, featuring a rudder attached to the steering wheel. This car is an exceptional example of the era, maintaining its high originality, including the upholstery and a 2-cylinder 883 cc motor. Acquired by the IMS Museum in, its historical value has only grown.
The Spirit of America – Named after Craig Breedlove’s goal of breaking the sound barrier, Sonic I would go on to set the ultimate land speed record five times, the fastest being 600.601 mph. Craig’s wife, Lee, set the women’s land speed record in this car, averaging 308.56 mph.
1911 Mercedes 22/40 “Colonial Car” Touring – An early chain drive touring car, built for South America with oversized wheels, showcasing the engineering of its era. This rare survivor has its original Mercedes Sindlefingen touring coachwork and is highly complete and unmodified. Riding on 42″ tires with a widened track this is a most imposing machine.
