As hedge-betting gamblers, we’d immediately put half our stake on red – more specifically, the scarlet Bizzarrini 5300 Strada that serves as one of the headline lots at Artcurial’s Le Mans Classic auction.
As expected, the ex-Works Ferrari 375-Plus – campaigned in period at events such as the Mille Miglia and Le Mans – proved to be the highest-value lot. A masterclass in tactical bidding was seen along the way, with auctioneer Robert Brooks finally bringing the hammer down at £9.6m (£10.7m including fees) – the third-highest price for any car sold at auction.
Bonhams, The Mercedes-Benz Sale
An Important Auction Of Historic Collectors Motorcars Including The Jaguar Legend Collection
And
An Important Auction Of Classic Sports And Racing Motorcycles
Motorcycles: Friday 11th July 2014 at 1PM
Motor Cars: Saturday 12th July 2014 at 3PM
But whatever Enzo’s personal feelings on the essential ‘rightness’ of sticking the engine at the front of the car, the writing was on the wall. In 1963, a Ferrari 250 P became the first mid-engined car to win Le Mans, and no front-engined car ever won there again. The 250 LM – essentially a 250 P with a roof – swept to an overall win (and second place, too) at Le Mans in 1965, the last time Ferrari won that great race.
If you're the more leisurely type, however, you'll find plenty of rather more restrained cars for sale in the Classic Driver Market.