A 1981-82 Ferrari 512 BB/ LM Berlinetta that was driven by the North American Racing Team in the Le Mans 24 hours competition coupe, is one of the highlights of Bonhams “Le Grandes Marques a Monaco”, taking place in Monte Carlo on May 20th. The car is estimated to sell for €1,250,000 – 1,450,000.
Considerable investment and refinement had been made to the car’s technical specifications, ensuring Ferrari as a serious player in endurance racing. The car was driven by the Chinetti family’s celebrated North American Racing Team, who included Alain Cudini, John Morton, John Paul and Philippe Gurdjian.
This car competed twice, in 1981 and 1982. Weighing-in at just 1,100kg rather than the normal BB/LM model’s 1,200kg, it proved to be the quickest of all BB/LMs competing in the International Grand Prix d’Endurance, around the legendary Sarthe circuit outside Le Mans.
Another highlight of the sale is a 1958 2-litre Walker Cooper-Climax Type 45 Formula 1 Racing “interim” single-seater, estimated to sell for €150,000-200,000. Driven by the hugely popular Maurice Trintignant, this car won the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix, receiving a tumultuous reception from Prince Rainier and the French crowd. This car was also driven by Maurice Trintignant when he was 82 years old in the Monaco Historic event and he signed it affectionately on the nose.
A 1933 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom II Continental Touring Saloon is estimated to sell for €145,000 – 175,000. The car belonged to Sir Malcolm Campbell, who broke the World Land Speed record nine times between 1929- 1935. A connoisseur of fine cars, he would have found the specification of the Phantom II particularly appealing as the Phantom II employed an entirely new chassis, inspired by the smaller 20hp Rolls-Royce, as well as a new engine. The Phantom II chassis provided a platform for some of the truly outstanding designs of its day, and was highly favoured by prominent coachbuilders.
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