Editorial

A flurry of activity this month. It’s always been billed as the greatest test of endurance, not just for the cars and drivers but also for the 200,000+ spectators and 1,000s of journalists, organising officials, marshals, fire crew and police. The event is transmitted to over 230 million TV viewers worldwide. It is of course the annual Vingt Quatre Heures du Mans. Paul Newman, the famous actor, director and producer (and successful competitor) declared: "The Le Mans 24 Hours is legendary! For me it is the greatest endurance race in the world, and perhaps the greatest race of all."

First run in 1923, it’s had an overpowering effect on motoring in general, and motor racing in particular, for over 80 years. So many of the world’s most exquisite road cars were born of a desire to succeed at Le Mans, and the actual racers of the ‘30s, ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s are now worth stratospheric sums. Several of the Ferraris and Maseratis at Sotheby’s forthcoming Maranello Sale have competed in the race, including the 1962 overall winner, a car with no official estimate but likely to beat its 2002 price of $6.49 million.

Savour the suffix ‘LM’. 250LM - sounds good doesn‘t it? This year of course there will be added interest with the simplification of classes (you’ve got LM1 - fast prototypes, and LM2 - er...slower ones. Ditto GT1 and GT2) and the intense battle in the class that interests us all, the road-based GT categories where Aston Martin will have their hands full against works Corvettes and a revitalised horde of Ferrari 550/575s. The initial times show all are very equally placed - and only 15 seconds or so off the pace of the LM1 cars.

We will be at the heart of that GT action, with the Aston Martin Racing DBR9 Team. Full report next week of what promises to be an epic event, and for those looking for the nearest thing possible to a full-on Le Mans car there are details below of the sensational Ferrari FXX, as well as a hot-off-the-press story on the DBRS9.

Steve Wakefield Managing Editor sw@classicdriver.com

Aston Martin DB3

This Ex-works Aston Martin DB3 Team Car has a wonderful period race history, the most notable in 1952 and 1953. The car is eligible for all the very best events throughout the world including Monaco and the Mille Miglia. Comfortable for two, easy to drive and in top condition throughout. This is a unique opportunity to acquire a very historic and special motor car.

colour Racing Green
interior colour Black
drive RHD
chassis DB3/5
year 1952

Price GBP P.O.R.

Dealership:


Duncan Hamilton & Co
P.O.Box 222, Hook, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG27 9YZ

Phone +44 (0) 1256-765000

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Chrysler Viper GTS–R

6 speed, full history, FIA Papers, original racing history; Ex Le Mans and Sebring

C31 is a 2000 ex works Oreca Chrysler Viper GTS, the 2000 ALMS Championship winning car driven by Karl Wendlinger and Olivier Beretta.

The car was completely re-worked by Oreca prior to being delivered to a privateer team in 2001. Completely fresh and race ready.

C31 is famous for its wins in 2000:
* 12 Hours of Sebring - Driven by Karl Wendlinger, Olivier Beretta, and Dominique Dupuy
* 24 Heurs du Le Mans - Driven by Karl Wendlinger, Olivier Beretta, and Dominique Dupuy

C31 2000 ALMS results also include:
* 1st Charlotte
* 1st Silverstone
* 1st Nürburgring
* 2nd Sears Point
* 1st Mosport
* 2nd Texas
* 1st Portland
* 1st Laguna Seca
* 1st Las Vegas

colour Red with White Stripes
interior colour Black
drive LHD
chassis C31
year 2000

Price USD 450.000

Dealership:


Fantasy Junction
1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608

Phone +1 510 653-7555

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Bemtley Continental R Le Mans

Turbo, ABS, Leather Trim, Air Conditioning, Alloy Wheels, Electric Windows, Central Door Locking, Cruise Control, Electric Seats, Airbag, Wood Trim, Stereo, Alarm, Immobiliser, Power Steering, Heated Seats, Adjustable Steering Column, CD Player

colour Meteor
interior colour Cotswold
drive RHD
year 10/2001
mileage 22.920 km / 14.242 m

Price GBP 129.950

Dealership:


Straight Eight International
160 Goldhawk Rd , London W12 8HJ

Phone +44 (0)208 7431599

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Fine Motor Cars, The Jaguar Legend - Coys Auction , Blenheim Palace, UK 18th June 2005

Le Mans 24 Hours, France
18th - 19th June 2005

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2005, Goodwood, W.Sussex, UK
24th - 26th June 2005

Historic Racing including 'Top Hat' and 'Gentleman Drivers', Dijon, France
24th - 26th June 2005

The Vernasca Silver Flag Hillclimb, Italy
24th - 26th June 2005

Sotheby's at Ferrari Auction, Maranello, Italy
28th June 2005

Christie's Auction, 'The Sharpe Family Collection', Rayleigh, Essex, UK
30th June - 1st July 2005

Grande Premio do Porto, Historic Formula 1 Boavista Circuit in Oporto, Portugal
8th - 12th July 2005

The Silverstone Classic, in association with Bonhams, UK
30th - 31st July 2005

'Capturing the Spirit' - Vintage Brooklands at Millbrook, UK
29th August 2005

see further event details

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