Having already announced that the 1978 Ferrari 308GTS given to Gilles Villeneuve by Enzo Ferrari would be crossing the block at its upcoming Monaco sale at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carloon May 12, RM Sotheby’s has added a further group of Ferraris as additional headline consignments.
While a 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione “Tour de France”is expected to draw worldwide interest, other eras of the famous Italian marque’s legendary history will also be represented. The 15thof only 17 “three-louver,” covered headlight versions of the 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione “Tour de France,” chassis no. 0879 GT (above, photo courtesy of RM Sotheby’s) was completed in January 1958 and first sold to German racing driver Wolfgang Seidel of Dusseldorf, who campaigned a 250 TR for the Scuderia during 1958. Seidel immediately took to the track in his new Ferrari and over the next few years competed in 22 events across continental Europe. These produced 11 victories and a string of podium positions, including 2ndplace at the Pau 3 Hours, 2ndoverall in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, victory at the Grand Handicap de Spa-Francorchamps, 4thoverall at the 12 Hours of Reims with co-driver Wolfgang von Trips, and 3rdin class at the 1959 Grand Prix de Paris at Linas-Montlhéry.
Chassis number 0879 GT should attract top Ferrari collectors and connoisseurs as a fantastic example of a model prized by collectors for its exquisite lightweight coachwork and advanced racing mechanicals. The car was produced from 1956 to 1959 and was designed for the circuit racing, hillclimb and drag race stages of the Tour de France. It so dominated the rally that the model was nicknamed for the event, boosting Ferrari’s credentials as one of the most successful manufacturers in ‘50s motorsport.
“We’re delighted to bring this extremely exciting TdF to our Monaco auction,” said Augustin Sabatié-Garat, Auction Manager, RM Sotheby’s Europe. “The car is a true motorsport icon, and it has a strong history of powering drivers to success at the most celebrated events in Europe. Not only is this Tour de France a piece of Ferrari history, it gives collectors the chance to own a very pure piece of motorsport heritage from a golden age of racing.”
A 1971 Dino 246 GT by Scagliettirepresents another age for the Ferrari brand, also with a strong link to a history in motorsport. This car was once owned by former Ferrari F1 team driver René Arnoux. Built as a European-specification M-Series Dino 246 GT, chassis no. 01862 was purchased by Arnoux before he joined the Scuderia. Upon joining the team, Arnoux had his Dino restored at the Ferrari factory.
Another Ferrari set for Monaco is a 2011599 GTO, the most recent Ferrari produced to carry the fabled “GTO” badge. The car has had but one owner from new and was tailor-made to customer specification with a long list of unique features. This car has lived in a garage since new, covering a mere 3,800 kilometers.
In all,no less than 25 Ferraris will be up for sale, including: a 1957 250 GT Coupé, one of 74 “Low Roof” coupes bodied by Boano, offered from long-term European ownership with Ferrari Classiche certification and eligibility for both the Mille Miglia and Tour Auto; a 1962 250 GT Cabriolet Series IIthat has been beautifully restored, is Classiche-certified and comes complete with its original Colombo V12 engine and gearbox; a 1966 275 GTBthat is one of 88 long-nose, steel body, triple-carburetor examples equipped with a torque tube driveshaft and built to European specifications; a 1974 Dino 246 GTS, an E-Series edition delivered new to Switzerland, where it spent most of its life. Highly original throughout, it is finished in its original colors of Blu Dino Metallizzato over Pelle Nera and boasts Ferrari Classiche certification; a 2006 F430 GTC, chassis number 2446, that was extensively campaigned by the noted Italian racing team AF Corse from 2006 to 2011; and a 2015 Sergio, one of just six examples built to showcase 21stcentury coachbuilding and Pininfarina design, and the first to be offered at public auction.
For further information about this Monaco sale, please visit www.rmsothebys.com
