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08/05/2012
Two Ligiers latest additions to Artcurial’s Le Mans Classic sale
1970 Ligier JS1: 450,000 - 650,000 euros

And still they keep coming: adding extra French flavour to an already impressive catalogue, Artcurial has consigned two more of France’s finest to its July auction. Joining the ex-factory Peugeot and WM prototypes are a pair of Ligier Le Mans cars.

Former rugby player Guy Ligier had built up a construction business in the 1960s which enabled him to enjoy top-level motor racing. This included the occasional drive in Formula 1, but mainly centred on sports cars and Formula 2, where he set up a two-car team for himself and the Honda Grand Prix driver Jo Schlesser.

Schlesser was killed in an F1 race at Rouen (in the most appalling circumstances) so Ligier remembered his great friend by prefixing all future Ligier race and road cars ‘JS’.

The JS1 was the first Ligier: a mid-engined GT designed by Michel Tétu, complete with a Cosworth DFV engine. This was succeeded by the more aerodynamic JS2 and both versions saw action in the early 70s at Le Mans and on the Tour Auto.

1974 Ligier JS2: 750,000 - 1,100,000 euros.

Artcurial will offer an example of each at its 7 July Le Mans Classic auction. The 1970 Ligier JS1 (450,000 - 650,000 euros) participated in the Le Mans 24 Hour race and Tour Auto in 1970, while the magnificent Gitanes-liveried 1974 Ligier JS2 won the 1974 Tour Auto and finished a fine second overall at Le Mans in 1975. Estimate: 750,000 - 1,100,000 euros.

For further details, see www.artcurial.com, call +33 1 42 99 20 56 or email motorcars@artcurial.com.

Text - Steve Wakefield
Photos - Artcurial

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