Ex-Le Mans cars to star at Bonhams 2004 Monaco Sale

13 April 2004

Monaco’s glittering Grand Prix week auction has traditionally proved to be one of Bonhams Europe’s most successful events and for 2004 Simon Kidston has announced two early entries to the sale - both with Le Mans history. The Ecurie Francorchamps Ferrari 275GTB/C that finished 10th in 1966, and one of the works 1998 AMG Mercedes-Benz CLK LMs, estimated at EUR1,000,000 - 1,100,000.

As part of AMG’s sports car team in 1998, chassis 001.98 was mainly driven by veteran German sports and saloon exponent Klaus Ludwig, coupled with some-time F1 driver Ricardo Zonta of Brazil. It chalked up overall wins at Budapest, Homestead and Laguna Seca, finishing second at Suzuka, Donington and the A 1 - Ring, and fourth at Hockenheim. At Le Mans the car, this time driven by Zonta teamed with Jean Marc Gounon and Christophe Bouchut, retired with engine failure (like their sister-car) after 3 hours racing. In 2003, at the same event, Bonhams sold a 1999 CLK GTR road-car for EUR808,800 (plus taxes) to a Swiss collector bidding by telephone.

The Ferrari is one of just one of 12 alloy-bodied, proper competition 275GTB/Cs. Debuted in 1965, the GTB/C took over the mantle of ‘production GT car’ from Ferrari’s legendary 250GTO and was raced in a semi-works capacity by regular customer teams such as NART and Maranello Concessionaires. Chassis 09027 was delivered to the well-known Belgian Ecurie Francorchamps on the eve of Le Mans 1966 and finished a very creditable 10th overall - one of only two Ferraris to finish, both GT cars. Currently painted red, the car of course would have run at Le Mans in yellow Belgian national racing colours. Very suitable for events such as the Tour Auto and Classic Le Mans, Bonhams have estimated the car at US$950,000 – 1,100,000.

Bonhams Monaco Auction will be held on the 15th of May. For further information please contact [email protected] by email or at the address below. To see all lots in the Classic Driver car database please CLICK HERE.

Bonhams Europe S.A.
7 Av. Pictet-de-Rochemont
1207 Geneva
Switzerland

Tel: 0041 22 300 31 60
Fax: 0041 22 300 30 35