Cars of the 1970s and 1980s
1970 The Preferred Car of Jo Siffert
2017 SOLD for $ 14M including premium
Porsche had never won the 24 hours of Le Mans. A change in regulations announced after the 1968 season by the ACO for the two classes 3 liters and 5 liters is seized as an opportunity. Porsche creates in parallel the models 908 and 917.
The rule for the 5 liter homologation requires that the model is produced in 25 identical units. Porsche's motivation is so intense that they line up their twenty-five 917 in the yard of the factory as early as April 1969. Success is still questionable because the 917 is very difficult to drive. None of them finished the 24 hours of Le Mans 1969 and a driver died during that race.
Porsche immediately conceived the necessary improvements, resulting in two variants of the chassis for each of the two models : K for Kurz Heck and LH for Lang Heck. The short variant is faster in top speed but less stable. Many drivers will prefer the LH.
On August 18 at Pebble Beach, Gooding sells a historically important 917K, lot 44 estimated $ 13M. Here is the link to the press release.
This car assembled in 1970 was immediately entered in the training and test sessions at Le Mans, Nürburgring and Ehra-Lessien in April and May, demonstrating the exceptional speed achieved by the 917K model.
It is purchased in June 1970 by Jo Siffert who does not use it in competition but leases it for the preparation of the film Le Mans. It is one of three 917K starring in this movie for which they also served as camera cars for shooting at full speed. This 917K was Siffert's favorite car and led his funeral procession in October 1971.
The car was found 30 years later in a Parisian suburb, covered with dust but untouched except for the absence of the engine. The next owner bought an original engine from the same series. The complete restoration was supervised by a former Porsche engineer who still had access to the factory archives of the 917 program.
Please watch the video shared by Gooding.
The rule for the 5 liter homologation requires that the model is produced in 25 identical units. Porsche's motivation is so intense that they line up their twenty-five 917 in the yard of the factory as early as April 1969. Success is still questionable because the 917 is very difficult to drive. None of them finished the 24 hours of Le Mans 1969 and a driver died during that race.
Porsche immediately conceived the necessary improvements, resulting in two variants of the chassis for each of the two models : K for Kurz Heck and LH for Lang Heck. The short variant is faster in top speed but less stable. Many drivers will prefer the LH.
On August 18 at Pebble Beach, Gooding sells a historically important 917K, lot 44 estimated $ 13M. Here is the link to the press release.
This car assembled in 1970 was immediately entered in the training and test sessions at Le Mans, Nürburgring and Ehra-Lessien in April and May, demonstrating the exceptional speed achieved by the 917K model.
It is purchased in June 1970 by Jo Siffert who does not use it in competition but leases it for the preparation of the film Le Mans. It is one of three 917K starring in this movie for which they also served as camera cars for shooting at full speed. This 917K was Siffert's favorite car and led his funeral procession in October 1971.
The car was found 30 years later in a Parisian suburb, covered with dust but untouched except for the absence of the engine. The next owner bought an original engine from the same series. The complete restoration was supervised by a former Porsche engineer who still had access to the factory archives of the 917 program.
Please watch the video shared by Gooding.
1972 Ferrari 312 PB
2023 SOLD for € 12M by RM Sotheby's
The reference 312, applied to a 3 liter 12 cylinder car, is created by Ferrari in 1966 after the FIA regulations authorized an engine of that volume in Formula one.
The acquisition of Ferrari by Fiat in 1969 re-triggered an interest of the brand in sports cars. The 312P is released in that year for competing in the Group 6 Prototype Sports classification. The change of the engine to a flat V 12 in 1971 does not change the reference at the brand but this car is commonly designated as 312 PB.
The 312 P(B) was redesigned for the 1972 season after the FIA united Groups 5 and 6 including raising the minimum weight from the previous classification. The 312 P(B)'s engine has many similarities in design to the F1 engine, but nearly every part is non-interchangeable with the F1 flat 12.
Used as a works car in 1972 by the Scuderia Ferrari, one of them achieved a podium overall in its four outings, each time with Ronnie Peterson and Tim Schenken : 1st at the 1000 km Buenos Aires, 2nd at the 12 hours Sebring, 3rd at the 1000 km Monza and 1st at the 1000 km Nürburgring. It was retired afterwards.
Accompanied with many spare parts including its original engine, it was sold for € 12M by RM Sotheby's on May 20, 2023, lot 140.
Its achievements contributed to Ferrari's win in the 1972 World Sports Car Championship of Makes. In 1973 its competitiveness was not sufficient against Matra. Ferrari abandoned the sports car racing after that season. The model 312 P(B) as redesigned for 1972 had no successor until 1993 with the 333 SP. Porsche had not followed the changes of the FIA rules.
The image shared by Wikimedia was taken in 2007 at the LM Story event at Le Mans. It is credited with attribution ZANTAFIO56 from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.
The acquisition of Ferrari by Fiat in 1969 re-triggered an interest of the brand in sports cars. The 312P is released in that year for competing in the Group 6 Prototype Sports classification. The change of the engine to a flat V 12 in 1971 does not change the reference at the brand but this car is commonly designated as 312 PB.
The 312 P(B) was redesigned for the 1972 season after the FIA united Groups 5 and 6 including raising the minimum weight from the previous classification. The 312 P(B)'s engine has many similarities in design to the F1 engine, but nearly every part is non-interchangeable with the F1 flat 12.
Used as a works car in 1972 by the Scuderia Ferrari, one of them achieved a podium overall in its four outings, each time with Ronnie Peterson and Tim Schenken : 1st at the 1000 km Buenos Aires, 2nd at the 12 hours Sebring, 3rd at the 1000 km Monza and 1st at the 1000 km Nürburgring. It was retired afterwards.
Accompanied with many spare parts including its original engine, it was sold for € 12M by RM Sotheby's on May 20, 2023, lot 140.
Its achievements contributed to Ferrari's win in the 1972 World Sports Car Championship of Makes. In 1973 its competitiveness was not sufficient against Matra. Ferrari abandoned the sports car racing after that season. The model 312 P(B) as redesigned for 1972 had no successor until 1993 with the 333 SP. Porsche had not followed the changes of the FIA rules.
The image shared by Wikimedia was taken in 2007 at the LM Story event at Le Mans. It is credited with attribution ZANTAFIO56 from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.
1972 The Roar of the Matra
2021 SOLD for € 6.9M including premium
Jean-Luc Lagardère has been Matra's operational manager since 1963 with the position of Directeur général. His mission is to diversify the activities of this company previously focused to the aeronautical and military sector. In 1964 he declares his ambition for Matra to become the leader in automobile competitions within ten years. In the same year, Matra buys the company of the Automobiles René Bonnet.
In a gradual approach, Matra indeed manages to win successively in Formula 3, Formula 2 and Formula 1. In 1969 Jackie Stewart is world champion with a Matra MS 80 equipped with a V8 Cosworth engine. In the following year Matra Sports joins forces with Simca.
For endurance, Matra's learning is a bit slower. In 1972, after several years of failure, the Matra team enters four cars at Le Mans. The race is won by an MS 670 fitted with the 1972 version of the Matra Sports V12 engine. It was piloted by Henri Pescarolo and Graham Hill. The latter thus becomes the only motorsport champion to have won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 500 miles of Indianapolis and the Formula 1 World Championship.
Matra's victory revives French motorsport. Introduced for Formula 1 in 1968, the V12 played an important role in the popularity of the brand. Lagardère wanted its noise to be a roar, which spectators cannot ignore each time a Matra passes through Mulsanne straight.
This car ended its racing career in the following year but was retained by the company. Its many modifications are consistent with the period configuration. It is estimated € 4M for sale by Artcurial in Paris on February 5, lot 5. Please watch the video shared by the auction house and discover therein the howl of the Matra, described by Artcurial as a fabulous symphony.
Matra Sports largely won its challenge and ceased competition after the 1974 season but supplied engines to Ligier until 1978. Lagardère became Chairman and CEO of Matra in 1977.
In a gradual approach, Matra indeed manages to win successively in Formula 3, Formula 2 and Formula 1. In 1969 Jackie Stewart is world champion with a Matra MS 80 equipped with a V8 Cosworth engine. In the following year Matra Sports joins forces with Simca.
For endurance, Matra's learning is a bit slower. In 1972, after several years of failure, the Matra team enters four cars at Le Mans. The race is won by an MS 670 fitted with the 1972 version of the Matra Sports V12 engine. It was piloted by Henri Pescarolo and Graham Hill. The latter thus becomes the only motorsport champion to have won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 500 miles of Indianapolis and the Formula 1 World Championship.
Matra's victory revives French motorsport. Introduced for Formula 1 in 1968, the V12 played an important role in the popularity of the brand. Lagardère wanted its noise to be a roar, which spectators cannot ignore each time a Matra passes through Mulsanne straight.
This car ended its racing career in the following year but was retained by the company. Its many modifications are consistent with the period configuration. It is estimated € 4M for sale by Artcurial in Paris on February 5, lot 5. Please watch the video shared by the auction house and discover therein the howl of the Matra, described by Artcurial as a fabulous symphony.
Matra Sports largely won its challenge and ceased competition after the 1974 season but supplied engines to Ligier until 1978. Lagardère became Chairman and CEO of Matra in 1977.
1972 Porsche 917/10
2012 SOLD for $ 5.8M by Mecum
In the early 1970s, the cars competing in endurance racing change their look and increase their speed. The development of the Porsche 917 in Spyder bodywork is a great success, both in terms of engineering and sport.
In 1972, Porsche subcontracted to Penske Racing the participation in the competitions. Their goal to dominate the prestigious series of events known as the Can-Am (Canadian American Challenge Cup) met a total success.
Driven alternately by the two Penske drivers, George Follmer and Mark Donohue, this serial number 917/10-003 actually won in 1972 no fewer than five of nine races counted for the Can-Am which was the best track record of the Porsche 917 model. It was sold for $ 5.8M by Mecum on August 18, 2012. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Porsche had dominated the Can-Am in 1972 with the 917/10. Its engineers did even better in 1973 : the Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder was later elected by a committee of experts as the greatest racing car of all time. Its participation to competition was provided by the drivers of the Penske team including Mark Donohue.
With its 5.4-liter engine, 917/30 has an unsurpassed power. Compared to the 917/10, its aerodynamics is improved and a clever system of temporary acceleration raising up to 1500 bph enables to instantly leave any competitor behind.
This ultimate model of motor racing is indeed extremely rare despite its dominant performance : only six chassis were built.
001 is a prototype that had ensured the transition from 917/10 to 917/30. All feats in competition including the speed record of 355 km/h in closed circuit were achieved either by 002 or (mostly) by 003. Both are currently owned by Porsche but 002 was badly damaged in a crash at Watkins Glen.
004 was originally intended for the Penske team but the uninterrupted performance of 002 and 003 did not appeal for a spare unit. No longer needed in 1974 due to the fuel limitation imposed from the oil crisis, it is bought, admired and exhibited by the Porsche importer in Australia without entering a race.
005 and 006 have been much later assembled with smaller engines, 5 and 4.5 liters respectively.
Carefully maintained by its successive collectors and repainted in the livery of Sunoco which had been the main sponsor of the Penske team, 004 was sold by Gooding for $ 4.4M on March 9, 2012 and for $ 3M on March 11, 2016, lot 044.
The overwhelming success of the Porsche 917 had killed the suspense in the Can-Am events. This is not the only reason for the ephemeral career of the 917 : the oil crisis also forced the organizers of car racings to cut the costs.
In 1972, Porsche subcontracted to Penske Racing the participation in the competitions. Their goal to dominate the prestigious series of events known as the Can-Am (Canadian American Challenge Cup) met a total success.
Driven alternately by the two Penske drivers, George Follmer and Mark Donohue, this serial number 917/10-003 actually won in 1972 no fewer than five of nine races counted for the Can-Am which was the best track record of the Porsche 917 model. It was sold for $ 5.8M by Mecum on August 18, 2012. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Porsche had dominated the Can-Am in 1972 with the 917/10. Its engineers did even better in 1973 : the Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder was later elected by a committee of experts as the greatest racing car of all time. Its participation to competition was provided by the drivers of the Penske team including Mark Donohue.
With its 5.4-liter engine, 917/30 has an unsurpassed power. Compared to the 917/10, its aerodynamics is improved and a clever system of temporary acceleration raising up to 1500 bph enables to instantly leave any competitor behind.
This ultimate model of motor racing is indeed extremely rare despite its dominant performance : only six chassis were built.
001 is a prototype that had ensured the transition from 917/10 to 917/30. All feats in competition including the speed record of 355 km/h in closed circuit were achieved either by 002 or (mostly) by 003. Both are currently owned by Porsche but 002 was badly damaged in a crash at Watkins Glen.
004 was originally intended for the Penske team but the uninterrupted performance of 002 and 003 did not appeal for a spare unit. No longer needed in 1974 due to the fuel limitation imposed from the oil crisis, it is bought, admired and exhibited by the Porsche importer in Australia without entering a race.
005 and 006 have been much later assembled with smaller engines, 5 and 4.5 liters respectively.
Carefully maintained by its successive collectors and repainted in the livery of Sunoco which had been the main sponsor of the Penske team, 004 was sold by Gooding for $ 4.4M on March 9, 2012 and for $ 3M on March 11, 2016, lot 044.
The overwhelming success of the Porsche 917 had killed the suspense in the Can-Am events. This is not the only reason for the ephemeral career of the 917 : the oil crisis also forced the organizers of car racings to cut the costs.
1975 Niki Lauda in the Scuderia
2019 SOLD for $ 6M including premium
Despite his sensational success in the production of sports cars, the track remains the main goal of Enzo Ferrari. However, after the victory of John Surtees in 1964, the Formula One world championships of constructors and drivers escape sustainably his Scuderia.
Reasons for these issues were varied : funding difficulties, poor selection of some drivers, difficulty in developing a competing engine against the Ford Cosworth. In 1969 40% of Ferrari was sold to the FIAT group.
Agnelli is impatient. In 1973 he forces Enzo Ferrari to share his decisions with a young manager, Luca di Montezemolo, who cancels some blunders. Mauro Forghieri returns to his position as technical director. Back in the Scuderia, Clay Regazzoni makes Niki Lauda hired in 1974.
Forghieri had designed the Ferrari 312B in 1971. In 1975 its evolution 312T finally gives the supremacy to the Scuderia, thanks to a transversal gear box which improves the distribution of the masses. The two 312Ts driven in that year by Lauda and Regazzoni in the Grand Prix cumulate pole positions and wins. Ferrari and Lauda are world champions. Three other cars had been built.
Like many models of that period, the 312T is ephemeral. Obsolete in 1976 after a change in the rules for prohibiting the spectacular air box behind the cockpit, it is replaced by the 312T2.
On August 16 at Pebble Beach, Gooding sells a 312T raced by Lauda in 1975. It began its career by winning the Silverstone Trophy, which is not counted in the world championship. Qualified five times in pole position in the Grand Prix of the championship, it won in France.
This car is estimated $ 6M, lot 031. Here is the link to the press release. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Reasons for these issues were varied : funding difficulties, poor selection of some drivers, difficulty in developing a competing engine against the Ford Cosworth. In 1969 40% of Ferrari was sold to the FIAT group.
Agnelli is impatient. In 1973 he forces Enzo Ferrari to share his decisions with a young manager, Luca di Montezemolo, who cancels some blunders. Mauro Forghieri returns to his position as technical director. Back in the Scuderia, Clay Regazzoni makes Niki Lauda hired in 1974.
Forghieri had designed the Ferrari 312B in 1971. In 1975 its evolution 312T finally gives the supremacy to the Scuderia, thanks to a transversal gear box which improves the distribution of the masses. The two 312Ts driven in that year by Lauda and Regazzoni in the Grand Prix cumulate pole positions and wins. Ferrari and Lauda are world champions. Three other cars had been built.
Like many models of that period, the 312T is ephemeral. Obsolete in 1976 after a change in the rules for prohibiting the spectacular air box behind the cockpit, it is replaced by the 312T2.
On August 16 at Pebble Beach, Gooding sells a 312T raced by Lauda in 1975. It began its career by winning the Silverstone Trophy, which is not counted in the world championship. Qualified five times in pole position in the Grand Prix of the championship, it won in France.
This car is estimated $ 6M, lot 031. Here is the link to the press release. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
1978 Lotus ex Andretti
2023 for sale in November by Bonhams
waiting for catalogue
The 1978 Lotus-Cosworth Type 79 on offer through Bonhams helped Andretti win that year's F1 World Drivers' Championship. https://t.co/kdhNgW2WzL
— RobbReport (@RobbReport) February 2, 2023
1979 Paul Newman in the Rain
2016 SOLD for $ 4.8M including premium
In 1979, the 24 Hours of Le Mans are dominated by cars built by Porsche, driven under the banner of private teams. 19 of the 55 starting cars are Porsche, spreading between the models 934, 935 and 936. The brand occupies the first 4 final positions.
This achievement rewards the effort made by Porsche to meet the complicated rules of the FIA requiring that competition cars of Groups 1 to 5 are based on production models with a minimum quantity. The Porsche 934 matches the Group 4 (special grand touring), the 935 is for Group 5 (sports) and the 936 for Group 6 (prototype). Each year brings further variations to these models.
In heavy rain, Le Mans 1979 is not spectacular in a sporting point of view. Prototypes gradually disappear from race lead after the first hours. The final winner is a Porsche 935 improved by Kremer Racing.
Fortunately, Paul Newman draws the crowd. The actor aged 54 participates for the first time at Le Mans. The Porsche 935 Type 77A driven by Stommelen, Newman and Barbour finishes in the second position.
This is a feat for Newman but also for that new car in its competition debut. Until 1987, it will be extensively raced. It went first overall at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1981 and at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1983.
This Porsche 935 with a prestigious history is estimated $ 4.5M for sale by Gooding in Pebble Beach on August 20, lot 060. Here is the link to the press release (shared with other Porsche vehicles).
Please watch the video shared by Gooding.
This achievement rewards the effort made by Porsche to meet the complicated rules of the FIA requiring that competition cars of Groups 1 to 5 are based on production models with a minimum quantity. The Porsche 934 matches the Group 4 (special grand touring), the 935 is for Group 5 (sports) and the 936 for Group 6 (prototype). Each year brings further variations to these models.
In heavy rain, Le Mans 1979 is not spectacular in a sporting point of view. Prototypes gradually disappear from race lead after the first hours. The final winner is a Porsche 935 improved by Kremer Racing.
Fortunately, Paul Newman draws the crowd. The actor aged 54 participates for the first time at Le Mans. The Porsche 935 Type 77A driven by Stommelen, Newman and Barbour finishes in the second position.
This is a feat for Newman but also for that new car in its competition debut. Until 1987, it will be extensively raced. It went first overall at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1981 and at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1983.
This Porsche 935 with a prestigious history is estimated $ 4.5M for sale by Gooding in Pebble Beach on August 20, lot 060. Here is the link to the press release (shared with other Porsche vehicles).
Please watch the video shared by Gooding.
1982 Porsche, Champion of Endurance Racing
2015 SOLD for $ 10.1M including premium
The FIA never has an easy task. Its categories and its racing regulations are a continual compromise, ever changing, with a concern for safety while reducing the fuel consumption and maintaining appealing sport features for the public.
The creation of the Group C, scheduled in 1981 and released in 1982, marks a return of prototype racing to its highest prestige. Porsche is very enthusiastic.
The effort of the engineers focuses on innovations of chassis, suspension and bodywork including an aluminum monocoque. Despite a similar engine to that of the 936, the Porsche 956 perfectly meets the intent of the FIA to promote a modernized range of vehicles.
The model 956 along with its further evolution as the 962 is so far ahead of its competitors that Porsche completely dominates the World Endurance Championship for five consecutive years.
Porsche designed the 956 for their own prestige. Ten cars are prepared for the official drivers of the brand and are sponsored by the Rothmans cigarette company. Twelve other units are made for the market.
First races, first triumphs: in May 1982, the 956-001 wins the 6 hours of Silverstone. A month later, the model 956 takes the first three places at Le Mans.
Second at Le Mans in 1982, the 956-003 won its last four races of that year. Its victory at Le Mans in 1983 will be the greatest feat of its prestigious career. Appreciating a few minutes before the end of the 24 hours that the engine is going to expire, Al Holbert manages to keep a short lead ahead of another 956 driven by Derek Bell. It is interesting to note that the 956 cars got the top eight positions in that race.
956-003 is estimated $ 7M for sale by Gooding in Pebble Beach on August 15, lot 050. Here is the link to the press release.
Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
The creation of the Group C, scheduled in 1981 and released in 1982, marks a return of prototype racing to its highest prestige. Porsche is very enthusiastic.
The effort of the engineers focuses on innovations of chassis, suspension and bodywork including an aluminum monocoque. Despite a similar engine to that of the 936, the Porsche 956 perfectly meets the intent of the FIA to promote a modernized range of vehicles.
The model 956 along with its further evolution as the 962 is so far ahead of its competitors that Porsche completely dominates the World Endurance Championship for five consecutive years.
Porsche designed the 956 for their own prestige. Ten cars are prepared for the official drivers of the brand and are sponsored by the Rothmans cigarette company. Twelve other units are made for the market.
First races, first triumphs: in May 1982, the 956-001 wins the 6 hours of Silverstone. A month later, the model 956 takes the first three places at Le Mans.
Second at Le Mans in 1982, the 956-003 won its last four races of that year. Its victory at Le Mans in 1983 will be the greatest feat of its prestigious career. Appreciating a few minutes before the end of the 24 hours that the engine is going to expire, Al Holbert manages to keep a short lead ahead of another 956 driven by Derek Bell. It is interesting to note that the 956 cars got the top eight positions in that race.
956-003 is estimated $ 7M for sale by Gooding in Pebble Beach on August 15, lot 050. Here is the link to the press release.
Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
1985 Porsche 962C
2023 for sale on June 9 by RM Sotheby's
The Porsche 956 was fully dominating the Group C of the FIA since the release of that category in 1982. The 962 is developed in 1984 for matching the rules of the North American IMSA. The cars specially built for the Group C are designated as 962C. Three cars were attributed to the Rothmans Porsche works team.
After a debut at Le Mans 24 in 1985, one of them was numbered 1 for the rest of the season, driven by Jacky Ickx and Jochen Mass. Its photo in period is shared by Wikimedia with attribution : Bill Abbott, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
After an extensive competition with Rothmans Porsche in 1985 and 1986, it was campaigned in the next two seasons by the factory supported Joest Racing.
In running order and fitted with a spectacular long tail, this 962C is estimated € 6M for sale by RM Sotheby's on June 9, 2023, lot 115 in the sale celebrating the centenary of the Le Mans event. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
After a debut at Le Mans 24 in 1985, one of them was numbered 1 for the rest of the season, driven by Jacky Ickx and Jochen Mass. Its photo in period is shared by Wikimedia with attribution : Bill Abbott, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
After an extensive competition with Rothmans Porsche in 1985 and 1986, it was campaigned in the next two seasons by the factory supported Joest Racing.
In running order and fitted with a spectacular long tail, this 962C is estimated € 6M for sale by RM Sotheby's on June 9, 2023, lot 115 in the sale celebrating the centenary of the Le Mans event. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
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1985 Porsche on the Paris-Dakar
2018 SOLD for $ 6M including premium
The Paris-Dakar rally was prestigious for its countless safari-style difficulties through 14000 km in France, Spain and Africa. In 1984 it was won by Metge and Lemoyne in a Porsche 953 with four-wheel drive, a great novelty for the brand. The suspension has also been improved.
Jacky Ickx, who had won the previous edition with a Mercedes-Benz, is also a regular driver for Porsche, including the 956, a model for endurance well suited for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Under his influence Porsche realizes a new development for the Paris-Dakar.
Three prototypes were built in 1985 and three more in 1986. A seventh car was reclassified as Porsche 961 prototype for Le Mans. These cars are an improvement of the 953 with an electronic control of the four-wheel drive. They do not constitute a new reference but benefit from the modernization efforts of the 959 and enter that range.
In 1984 the three entered 953 had finished the Paris-Dakar. 1985 is less glorious when none of the three 959 finish. In 1986 the three new Porsche 959 are 1st, 2nd and 6th overall.
Two of the six 959 Paris-Dakar remain in private hands with only one of them in working condition. This car was one of the three Porsche entered in the 1985 rally where it was driven by Metge and Lemoyne. Retired afterward from competition, it remains highly original. It is estimated $ 3M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Atlanta on October 27, lot 196.
Jacky Ickx, who had won the previous edition with a Mercedes-Benz, is also a regular driver for Porsche, including the 956, a model for endurance well suited for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Under his influence Porsche realizes a new development for the Paris-Dakar.
Three prototypes were built in 1985 and three more in 1986. A seventh car was reclassified as Porsche 961 prototype for Le Mans. These cars are an improvement of the 953 with an electronic control of the four-wheel drive. They do not constitute a new reference but benefit from the modernization efforts of the 959 and enter that range.
In 1984 the three entered 953 had finished the Paris-Dakar. 1985 is less glorious when none of the three 959 finish. In 1986 the three new Porsche 959 are 1st, 2nd and 6th overall.
Two of the six 959 Paris-Dakar remain in private hands with only one of them in working condition. This car was one of the three Porsche entered in the 1985 rally where it was driven by Metge and Lemoyne. Retired afterward from competition, it remains highly original. It is estimated $ 3M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Atlanta on October 27, lot 196.
1985 Ferrari 288 GTO
2022 SOLD for $ 4.4M by RM Sotheby's
FIA regulations have been continuously modified in search of an impossible compromise between performance and risk. In 1982, the Group B restarts an earlier idea of competing cars designed over commercial units of Grand Touring category.
The rules in Group B request that 200 commercial cars are produced. Manufacturers can make design adjustments for race that are referred as Evolution.
Ferrari is interested but reminds the difficulties of homologation twenty years earlier for the 250 GTO and the 250 LM. No risk is taken against the Group B requirements. The introduction of the new model 288 begins in 1984 by the 200 road cars. To assess that their brand is the good guy, the new car is identified by Ferrari as GTO (Omologato).
The 288 GTO is a significant development, with a bodywork inspired by the 308 GTB and modernized by Pininfarina. It is lightweight, powerful and fast. Its top speed is 300 km/h with 100 km/h reached in about 5 seconds. Customers are appealed and the production is increased to 272.
A 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO with 15,000 km from new was sold for $ 4.4M by RM Sotheby's on August, 20, 2022, lot 334. It had been factory optioned with air conditioning.
A 288 GTO supplied new in 1985 to the USA was sold for $ 4M by RM Sotheby's on March 4, 2023, lot 182. This well preserved example with less than 8,000 km from new has its engine in matching numbers. It is accompanied by its original tool kit and by documentation and books. It is factory equipped with air conditioning and power windows.
A car which had been in 1985 the first 288 GTO officially exported to Japan was sold for $ 2.6M by RM Sotheby's on March 12, 2016, lot 148.
Everything is well excepted that the FIA terminates the Group B in 1986 after two fatal accidents. Launched in 5 units, the 288 GTO Evolution was not ready. None will compete. Two of these Evoluzione are modified to be used as prototypes for the F40. Unused in its original application, the 288 GTO has the great merit of opening the two decades of commercial success of the Ferrari supercars : F40, F50 and Enzo.
The rules in Group B request that 200 commercial cars are produced. Manufacturers can make design adjustments for race that are referred as Evolution.
Ferrari is interested but reminds the difficulties of homologation twenty years earlier for the 250 GTO and the 250 LM. No risk is taken against the Group B requirements. The introduction of the new model 288 begins in 1984 by the 200 road cars. To assess that their brand is the good guy, the new car is identified by Ferrari as GTO (Omologato).
The 288 GTO is a significant development, with a bodywork inspired by the 308 GTB and modernized by Pininfarina. It is lightweight, powerful and fast. Its top speed is 300 km/h with 100 km/h reached in about 5 seconds. Customers are appealed and the production is increased to 272.
A 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO with 15,000 km from new was sold for $ 4.4M by RM Sotheby's on August, 20, 2022, lot 334. It had been factory optioned with air conditioning.
A 288 GTO supplied new in 1985 to the USA was sold for $ 4M by RM Sotheby's on March 4, 2023, lot 182. This well preserved example with less than 8,000 km from new has its engine in matching numbers. It is accompanied by its original tool kit and by documentation and books. It is factory equipped with air conditioning and power windows.
A car which had been in 1985 the first 288 GTO officially exported to Japan was sold for $ 2.6M by RM Sotheby's on March 12, 2016, lot 148.
Everything is well excepted that the FIA terminates the Group B in 1986 after two fatal accidents. Launched in 5 units, the 288 GTO Evolution was not ready. None will compete. Two of these Evoluzione are modified to be used as prototypes for the F40. Unused in its original application, the 288 GTO has the great merit of opening the two decades of commercial success of the Ferrari supercars : F40, F50 and Enzo.
1987-(1995) Ferrari F40 (LM by Michelotto)
2019 SOLD for € 4.8M by RM Sotheby's
The first Ferrari supercar was the 288 GTO. This technological marvel was a big disappointment for the brand : ready just when the Group B was canceled for security reasons in 1986, it could never be used in competition.
Ferrari is radically changing its strategy. The F40, the ultimate model that has been approved by Enzo Ferrari, is a road going car based on the 288 GTO. Its performances are similar to a race car : top speed at 200 mph, 60 mph after 3.9 seconds, 100 mph after 8 seconds.
The commercial success of the F40 is considerable despite a very high price. 1,311 F40 are produced in total from 1987 to 1992. The GT competition does not interest Ferrari any more and customers regret the absence of a racing version of the F40. With the agreement of Ferrari, 18 F40 LM are prepared by Michelotto, a Padua company that had a similar successful experience with the 365 GTB/4 Daytona.
The F40 LM is significantly modified from the basic F40. The chassis is reinforced, the body is more aggressive and several major equipment are modified. Lighter and more powerful, it reaches 229 mph, and 60 mph after 3 seconds.
The 18th and final F40 LM of the regular series, completed in 1993 and titled 1994, was sold for $ 3.3M by RM Sotheby's in August 2015, a remarkable price for a car that had never been used in competition .
The third F40 prototype built in 1987 entered the market in 1992. Its first private owner had it upgraded in LM configuration by Michelotto. Its next owner returned it to Michelotto in 1995 to make it benefit from other improvements introduced by this manufacturer in 1994 under the reference F40 GTE. The car finished 12th overall and 2nd GT at Le Mans in 1995.
That 19th F40 LM by Michelotto was sold for € 4.8M by RM Sotheby's on February 6, 2019, lot 126. The photo shared by Wikimedia was made at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2007.
Ferrari is radically changing its strategy. The F40, the ultimate model that has been approved by Enzo Ferrari, is a road going car based on the 288 GTO. Its performances are similar to a race car : top speed at 200 mph, 60 mph after 3.9 seconds, 100 mph after 8 seconds.
The commercial success of the F40 is considerable despite a very high price. 1,311 F40 are produced in total from 1987 to 1992. The GT competition does not interest Ferrari any more and customers regret the absence of a racing version of the F40. With the agreement of Ferrari, 18 F40 LM are prepared by Michelotto, a Padua company that had a similar successful experience with the 365 GTB/4 Daytona.
The F40 LM is significantly modified from the basic F40. The chassis is reinforced, the body is more aggressive and several major equipment are modified. Lighter and more powerful, it reaches 229 mph, and 60 mph after 3 seconds.
The 18th and final F40 LM of the regular series, completed in 1993 and titled 1994, was sold for $ 3.3M by RM Sotheby's in August 2015, a remarkable price for a car that had never been used in competition .
The third F40 prototype built in 1987 entered the market in 1992. Its first private owner had it upgraded in LM configuration by Michelotto. Its next owner returned it to Michelotto in 1995 to make it benefit from other improvements introduced by this manufacturer in 1994 under the reference F40 GTE. The car finished 12th overall and 2nd GT at Le Mans in 1995.
That 19th F40 LM by Michelotto was sold for € 4.8M by RM Sotheby's on February 6, 2019, lot 126. The photo shared by Wikimedia was made at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2007.
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