Cars 1964-65
1964 Ferrari 250 LM
Intro
The extraordinary domination of the Ferrari 250 from 1955 had been supported by an excellent adaptation to competition regulations. The 250 GTO, produced mostly in 1962 and 1963, is registered in the Grand Touring class. The next model is the Ferrari 250 LM berlinetta unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in November 1963. LM means Le Mans.
The 250 GTO had been narrowly GT homologated. The O letter in GTO, which means Omologato, reveals the problems met by Ferrari to maintain their competitiveness while respecting all the rules. Ferrari's argument that it is a variant of the 250 GT SWB berlinetta is technically difficult to counter.
Ferrari indeed improves his models, but the high end is too elitist. Race regulating organisms harden against him the rules of Grand Touring, which must be based on a commercial production exceeding 100 units. Unqualified cars enter the Prototype category with more powerful competitors.
Ferrari is unable to obtain the GT homologation for the LM. Officials have not been duped. It is not really a GT because it is derived from the 250 P prototypes with a 3-liter engine launched in 1963 for track competition. The LM should also not be a 250 because its 3.3-liter engine is better ranked in the new Ferrari 275 class opened at the same time.
32 Ferrari 250 LM are built, most of them in 1964. The body is made by Scaglietti on a design by Pininfarina. They are primarily intended for the track.
The 250 LM was the first competition Ferrari with a centrally-mounted V12 engine. One of them wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1965, driven by Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt.
The 250 GTO had been narrowly GT homologated. The O letter in GTO, which means Omologato, reveals the problems met by Ferrari to maintain their competitiveness while respecting all the rules. Ferrari's argument that it is a variant of the 250 GT SWB berlinetta is technically difficult to counter.
Ferrari indeed improves his models, but the high end is too elitist. Race regulating organisms harden against him the rules of Grand Touring, which must be based on a commercial production exceeding 100 units. Unqualified cars enter the Prototype category with more powerful competitors.
Ferrari is unable to obtain the GT homologation for the LM. Officials have not been duped. It is not really a GT because it is derived from the 250 P prototypes with a 3-liter engine launched in 1963 for track competition. The LM should also not be a 250 because its 3.3-liter engine is better ranked in the new Ferrari 275 class opened at the same time.
32 Ferrari 250 LM are built, most of them in 1964. The body is made by Scaglietti on a design by Pininfarina. They are primarily intended for the track.
The 250 LM was the first competition Ferrari with a centrally-mounted V12 engine. One of them wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1965, driven by Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt.
1
chassis 6105
2015 SOLD for $ 17.6M by RM Sotheby's
On August 13, 2016, RM Sotheby's sold for $ 17.6M a 250 LM made in 1964, lot 113.
This car is one of the best preserved of this model after an intensive racing history, retaining all of its original components.
This car is one of the best preserved of this model after an intensive racing history, retaining all of its original components.
2
chassis 6107
2013 SOLD for $ 14.3M by RM Auctions
A 250 LM made in 1964 was sold for $ 14.3M on November 21, 2013 by RM Auctions in association with Sotheby's, lot 141.
This car remains in an exceptional original condition after a racing history without incident. Its engine is in matching numbers.
This car remains in an exceptional original condition after a racing history without incident. Its engine is in matching numbers.
3
chassis 6045
2014 SOLD for $ 11.6M by RM Sotheby's
A 250 LM made in 1964 was sold for $ 11.5M from a lower estimate of $ 8.5M. $ 11.6M by RM Auctions on August 15, 2014, lot 150.
This car had been damaged in 1969. Its leaked fuel tank was accidentally set on fire. The body was partially melted and the frame was damaged but not beyond repair.
This car had been damaged in 1969. Its leaked fuel tank was accidentally set on fire. The body was partially melted and the frame was damaged but not beyond repair.
4
chassis 5899
2015 SOLD for $ 9.6M by RM Auctions
A 250 LM made in 1964 was sold for $ 9.6M by RM Sotheby's on January 16, 2015, lot 250.
Its original body was replaced in 1966 after an accident by that of a Porsche Carrera 6 and the chassis was modified for that purpose. Looking for a better performance, the car was fitted in 1967 with the engine of a 330P. It was destroyed again in 1969 in an accident. The original engine was re-united with the restored remains of the car in the mid 1970s.
Its original body was replaced in 1966 after an accident by that of a Porsche Carrera 6 and the chassis was modified for that purpose. Looking for a better performance, the car was fitted in 1967 with the engine of a 330P. It was destroyed again in 1969 in an accident. The original engine was re-united with the restored remains of the car in the mid 1970s.
1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale
2014 SOLD for $ 26.4M by RM Auctions
The ambition in competition of the 275 equipped with a new 3.3-liter engine is embodied in three grand touring competition prototypes identified as 275 GTB/C Speciale with a bodywork by Scaglietti. The model is released in 1964. The competition is fierce. Remind that the failed negotiations between Ford and Ferrari happened in 1963 and the release of the GT40 in 1964.
The super-light aluminum body, different from the road specification in the catalog, does not please the officials of the Gran Turismo. Yet one of the three cars managed to reach the third place in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1965 behind two Ferrari 250 LM.
The first of the three 275 GTB/C Speciale was sold for $ 26.4M by RM Auctions on August 16, 2014, lot 239. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
The super-light aluminum body, different from the road specification in the catalog, does not please the officials of the Gran Turismo. Yet one of the three cars managed to reach the third place in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1965 behind two Ferrari 250 LM.
The first of the three 275 GTB/C Speciale was sold for $ 26.4M by RM Auctions on August 16, 2014, lot 239. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
1964 Ford GT40 Prototype
2014 SOLD for $ 7.6M by Mecum
At the command of Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford II (HF2) is a busy man who does not like his competitors and will not be contradicted. 1964 is a key year for both road and race. The Ford Mustang is developed by Lee Iacocca. Its innovative design will push the Ford brand on a par with General Motors which previously dominated this market.
In 1963 Ferrari had been for sale. Ford Motor Company was interested but Enzo Ferrari himself frustrated the negotiations despite his financial difficulties. Henry Ford II (HF2) is furious. He wants to beat Ferrari in its most prestigious playground, at Le Mans. He defines the target : Ford must win the 24 hours race of Le Mans in 1964 with a model capable of reaching 320 km/h in the Mulsanne Straight.
Ford, which does not have an experience in developing a competition car, finds the necessary alliances including with Lola Cars, Shelby and Kar Kraft, and hires as project manager John Wyer who had ensured the achievements of Aston Martin. The development is entrusted to the new Ford Advanced Vehicles (FAV) division created at Slough near Heathrow Airport for this project identified with the reference GT40.
In April 1964, the testing at Le Mans is a disaster. The new model, whose aerodynamic characteristics were poorly designed, flow over at top speed. Their two cars crash.
The Ford team can not rest on this failure, although it is now accepted that it is not ready for the first wins. There are only two months left to change the bodywork. The engineers meet this challenge: three Ford GT40 participate at the 24 Heures in June 1964. The spectacular start of the race shows that this model will ably compete with Ferrari. HF2 did not win, but he has not lost either.
GT/104, the first lightweight steel prototype and the 4th prototype overall, was sold for $ 4.95M by Gooding on August 19, 2012 and for $ 7.6M by Mecum on April 12, 2014, lot S147.1.
It had been one of the three GT40 of the June 1964 race. After a new phase of improvements assisted by computer, which was a novelty at that time for racing cars, it was also the first GT40 to achieve a podium position when it finished at third place at the 2000 Km of Daytona in February 1965.
In 1963 Ferrari had been for sale. Ford Motor Company was interested but Enzo Ferrari himself frustrated the negotiations despite his financial difficulties. Henry Ford II (HF2) is furious. He wants to beat Ferrari in its most prestigious playground, at Le Mans. He defines the target : Ford must win the 24 hours race of Le Mans in 1964 with a model capable of reaching 320 km/h in the Mulsanne Straight.
Ford, which does not have an experience in developing a competition car, finds the necessary alliances including with Lola Cars, Shelby and Kar Kraft, and hires as project manager John Wyer who had ensured the achievements of Aston Martin. The development is entrusted to the new Ford Advanced Vehicles (FAV) division created at Slough near Heathrow Airport for this project identified with the reference GT40.
In April 1964, the testing at Le Mans is a disaster. The new model, whose aerodynamic characteristics were poorly designed, flow over at top speed. Their two cars crash.
The Ford team can not rest on this failure, although it is now accepted that it is not ready for the first wins. There are only two months left to change the bodywork. The engineers meet this challenge: three Ford GT40 participate at the 24 Heures in June 1964. The spectacular start of the race shows that this model will ably compete with Ferrari. HF2 did not win, but he has not lost either.
GT/104, the first lightweight steel prototype and the 4th prototype overall, was sold for $ 4.95M by Gooding on August 19, 2012 and for $ 7.6M by Mecum on April 12, 2014, lot S147.1.
It had been one of the three GT40 of the June 1964 race. After a new phase of improvements assisted by computer, which was a novelty at that time for racing cars, it was also the first GT40 to achieve a podium position when it finished at third place at the 2000 Km of Daytona in February 1965.
1965 Speciale for Pininfarina
2018 SOLD for $ 8.1M including premium
Battista Farina leaves in 1961 the management of his Carrozzeria Pininfarina company to his son Sergio and his son-in-law Renzo Carli. He officially takes in the same year the surname Pininfarina.
The two major subcontractors of Ferrari, Pininfarina and Scaglietti, are designers and manufacturers of bodywork but the repartition of tasks between these two companies is facilitated by the preference of Battista Pininfarina for development.
In 1964 the 250 GT chassis had terminated its great career. It is replaced by the 275 whose 3.3-liter engine is slightly more powerful, still in V12. It is now necessary to dress it in Berlinetta (GTB) and Spyder (GTS) and to foresee the adaptation of the GTB for the competition.
Two chassis are entrusted by Ferrari to Pininfarina. One of them is used for the development of the GTB. The other car will be a GTB Speciale fitted with all the modifications that will please Battista Pininfarina.
This one-off 275 GTB Speciale has the same shape as the original short nose GTB variant but differs in multiple details that enhance elegance and comfort. Its transfer of ownership from Ferrari to Carrozzeria Pininfarina is carried out in March 1965. Unveiled at St. Moritz in a press conference, this demonstrator of the taste and skill of Battista Pininfarina is exhibited in the motor shows of Frankfurt, Paris, Turin and Brussels.
Battista Pininfarina dies on April 3, 1966 without having stopped his activity. Unveiled in the previous month, the 1600 Duetto of Alfa Romeo is still attributed to his design. Sold in January 1966, the 275 GTB Speciale is no longer available at that time at the Carrozzeria. To pay homage to his father, Sergio presents the Automobile Club de l'Ouest with another Speciale also from 1965, the prototype of the Dino berlinetta, sold by Artcurial on February 10, 2017 for € 4,4M including premium.
Repainted in 1992 in its exquisite original Acqua Verde Metallizzato, the 275 GTB Speciale is estimated $ 8M for sale by Gooding in Scottsdale on January 20, lot 134. Here is the link to the press release.
The two major subcontractors of Ferrari, Pininfarina and Scaglietti, are designers and manufacturers of bodywork but the repartition of tasks between these two companies is facilitated by the preference of Battista Pininfarina for development.
In 1964 the 250 GT chassis had terminated its great career. It is replaced by the 275 whose 3.3-liter engine is slightly more powerful, still in V12. It is now necessary to dress it in Berlinetta (GTB) and Spyder (GTS) and to foresee the adaptation of the GTB for the competition.
Two chassis are entrusted by Ferrari to Pininfarina. One of them is used for the development of the GTB. The other car will be a GTB Speciale fitted with all the modifications that will please Battista Pininfarina.
This one-off 275 GTB Speciale has the same shape as the original short nose GTB variant but differs in multiple details that enhance elegance and comfort. Its transfer of ownership from Ferrari to Carrozzeria Pininfarina is carried out in March 1965. Unveiled at St. Moritz in a press conference, this demonstrator of the taste and skill of Battista Pininfarina is exhibited in the motor shows of Frankfurt, Paris, Turin and Brussels.
Battista Pininfarina dies on April 3, 1966 without having stopped his activity. Unveiled in the previous month, the 1600 Duetto of Alfa Romeo is still attributed to his design. Sold in January 1966, the 275 GTB Speciale is no longer available at that time at the Carrozzeria. To pay homage to his father, Sergio presents the Automobile Club de l'Ouest with another Speciale also from 1965, the prototype of the Dino berlinetta, sold by Artcurial on February 10, 2017 for € 4,4M including premium.
Repainted in 1992 in its exquisite original Acqua Verde Metallizzato, the 275 GTB Speciale is estimated $ 8M for sale by Gooding in Scottsdale on January 20, lot 134. Here is the link to the press release.
1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe
2009 SOLD for $ 7.7M by Mecum
Carroll Shelby was developing his cars by fitting British AC Cobra chassis with Ford engines. Ford was offering a particularly favorable context to second Shelby's project : the Mustang, created in 1964, needed to increase its dominance and its market share against Chevrolet and Plymouth.
In 1964 the Daytona Coupe Cobra had an improved coupe body fitted on an existing Cobra chassis to increase the top speed by 25 mph. It was thus able to compete against the Ferrari 250 GTO in the FIA GT class. Only six Daytona Cobra coupes were built.
CSX 2601 was the fourth car. On 1965 it won in class at Monza, Nürburgring, Reims and Enna. It secured at Reims the points for making Shelby American the first ever US brand to win an International Championship for GT Manufacturers.
This car was sold for $ 7.7M by Mecum on August 15, 2009.
In 1964 the Daytona Coupe Cobra had an improved coupe body fitted on an existing Cobra chassis to increase the top speed by 25 mph. It was thus able to compete against the Ferrari 250 GTO in the FIA GT class. Only six Daytona Cobra coupes were built.
CSX 2601 was the fourth car. On 1965 it won in class at Monza, Nürburgring, Reims and Enna. It secured at Reims the points for making Shelby American the first ever US brand to win an International Championship for GT Manufacturers.
This car was sold for $ 7.7M by Mecum on August 15, 2009.
1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype
2019 SOLD for $ 7.7 M by RM Sotheby's
Ford's target was to beat Ferrari on its own ground, Europe. The GT40 project is entrusted to Ford Advanced Vehicles (FAV), a new subsidiary created in 1964 at Slough, near Heathrow Airport.
The development includes twelve prototypes, numbered GT/101 to GT/112. The first seven, in 1964, are coupes preparing the model for Le Mans. The last five are open-roofed roadsters. Ford's sporting goal is achieved with the full podium at Le Mans in 1966. FAV is dissolved and the Slough factory is sold to John Wyer as a subcontractor for Ford's commercial production.
The roadster prototypes aim to demonstrate the duality of use of the GT40 for road and competition. The roadster uses a special steel chassis. The production model will be the coupe, probably in a goal of industrial standardization.
The GT/108 and GT/109 roadsters are completed simultaneously in March 1965 and sent for testing to Carroll Shelby in California. GT/108 is demonstrated in a promotional tour while GT/109 is entered in Le Mans. Both cars will then be used as development models for the GT40 J-Car variant in another subsidiary of Ford, Kar Kraft.
Restored after 1983 in its original configuration, GT/108 was sold by RM Sotheby's for $ 7M on August 15, 2014 and for $ 7.7M on August 16, 2019, lot 252. Please watch the video shared in 2014 by the auction house including an introduction by Edsel Ford II, the son of Henry Ford II.
GT/109 is also known in this column : it passed at Mecum on January 12, 2019.
The development includes twelve prototypes, numbered GT/101 to GT/112. The first seven, in 1964, are coupes preparing the model for Le Mans. The last five are open-roofed roadsters. Ford's sporting goal is achieved with the full podium at Le Mans in 1966. FAV is dissolved and the Slough factory is sold to John Wyer as a subcontractor for Ford's commercial production.
The roadster prototypes aim to demonstrate the duality of use of the GT40 for road and competition. The roadster uses a special steel chassis. The production model will be the coupe, probably in a goal of industrial standardization.
The GT/108 and GT/109 roadsters are completed simultaneously in March 1965 and sent for testing to Carroll Shelby in California. GT/108 is demonstrated in a promotional tour while GT/109 is entered in Le Mans. Both cars will then be used as development models for the GT40 J-Car variant in another subsidiary of Ford, Kar Kraft.
Restored after 1983 in its original configuration, GT/108 was sold by RM Sotheby's for $ 7M on August 15, 2014 and for $ 7.7M on August 16, 2019, lot 252. Please watch the video shared in 2014 by the auction house including an introduction by Edsel Ford II, the son of Henry Ford II.
GT/109 is also known in this column : it passed at Mecum on January 12, 2019.
1965 Aston Martin DB5 for James Bond
2019 SOLD for $ 6.4M by RM Sotheby's
The third James Bond film was based on Goldfinger, a novel published by Ian Fleming in 1959. In the book, 007 was driving an Aston Martin DB3. A delegation from the production team decides that the most recent model, the DB5 coupe, will suit the new movie. With its bodywork designed by Touring, this English car has an Italian elegance.
In the previous film, From Russia with Love, the special effects were concentrated in a faked briefcase. The Goldfinger DB5 will accommodate the gadgets for the perfect spy, for example the emission of a smoke screen, the ejector seat, the retractable roof. Everyone added his idea. The rotating license plate operated from the dashboard comes from a participant's dream of leaving a parking lot without paying.
The team in charge of the scenario retains thirteen gadgets powered by a board located in the armrest. The nail ejector is abandoned to avoid giving bad ideas to car users. Two DB5 are purchased. One of them incorporates all the gadgets. The other, intended for scenes of fast driving, will be equipped later.
Released in 1964, Goldfinger is an immediate success. Both cars are collectively referred to as The Most Famous Car in the World. The sales of the DB5 exceed all expectations and its model by Corgi Toys is a huge success.
Thunderball, released in 1965, is using the same cars. The first Bond car mysteriously disappeared in 1997. The other, preserved by a collector in its original condition, was sold for £ 2.9M by RM Auctions on October 27, 2010.
To promote Thunderball by touring the United States, the production team buys two additional cars. This time the gadgets are built by Aston Martin, the repetition of the demonstrations requiring a robustness that was not necessary for the shooting. They are identified as DB5 James Bond Works Replica in the Aston Martin archives.
One of them is in a Dutch museum. The other was sold for $ 2.1M by RM on January 20, 2006. After a meticulous restoration including the full operation of the thirteen gadgets, it was sold for $ 6.4M by RM Sotheby's on August 15, 2019, lot 111. Please watch the video shared by the auction house, with a journalist named Florence in the role of 007.
In the previous film, From Russia with Love, the special effects were concentrated in a faked briefcase. The Goldfinger DB5 will accommodate the gadgets for the perfect spy, for example the emission of a smoke screen, the ejector seat, the retractable roof. Everyone added his idea. The rotating license plate operated from the dashboard comes from a participant's dream of leaving a parking lot without paying.
The team in charge of the scenario retains thirteen gadgets powered by a board located in the armrest. The nail ejector is abandoned to avoid giving bad ideas to car users. Two DB5 are purchased. One of them incorporates all the gadgets. The other, intended for scenes of fast driving, will be equipped later.
Released in 1964, Goldfinger is an immediate success. Both cars are collectively referred to as The Most Famous Car in the World. The sales of the DB5 exceed all expectations and its model by Corgi Toys is a huge success.
Thunderball, released in 1965, is using the same cars. The first Bond car mysteriously disappeared in 1997. The other, preserved by a collector in its original condition, was sold for £ 2.9M by RM Auctions on October 27, 2010.
To promote Thunderball by touring the United States, the production team buys two additional cars. This time the gadgets are built by Aston Martin, the repetition of the demonstrations requiring a robustness that was not necessary for the shooting. They are identified as DB5 James Bond Works Replica in the Aston Martin archives.
One of them is in a Dutch museum. The other was sold for $ 2.1M by RM on January 20, 2006. After a meticulous restoration including the full operation of the thirteen gadgets, it was sold for $ 6.4M by RM Sotheby's on August 15, 2019, lot 111. Please watch the video shared by the auction house, with a journalist named Florence in the role of 007.
