Some of the most important cars ever built and raced are being sold by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in a series of just announced auctions.
The sales will finance a major refurbishment of the museum and bring machines that collectors could only previously admire to the market.
Eleven cars are being sold via RM Sotheby’s in December with estimates over $100 million for the full collection.
A Mercedes W196 driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and Sterling Moss carries an estimate of $50 million to $70 million.
Another example of this car was sold in 2013 for a total (with fees) of over £20 million.
The example now being sold was considered off the table for private buyers.
This Ferrari won the Le Mans 24-hour race in 1965.
Also for sale is a Ferrari 250LM. The LM stands for Le Mans, and before 2024, this was the last Ferrari to win the legendary 24-hour race. Jochen Rindt and Masten Gregory drove this actual car to victory in France in 1965.
It is being sold without an estimate.
The Spirit of America-Sonic I broke the land speed record five times. It was the first car to go over 600mph, in 1965.
A 1991-92 B191 Benetton was driven by both Nelson Piquet and Michael Schumacher.
RM Sotheby’s global head of auctions, Gord Duff, said: “These vehicles will be some of the world’s most significant cars ever sold. From the Moss/Fangio-raced W196 to the Le Mans-winning 250 LM, and even a land speed record car, these aren’t just significant; they are the pinnacle of collecting.
“There is almost nothing to compare them to.”
It’s very hard to put a price on such individually significant cars.
The auctions of Monterey Car Week currently hold the attention of collectors. This year, an Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider is on the block there with a $16 million estimate.
