Cars of the 1950s
The cars of the early 1950s are in Post war cars.
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Top 10 Cars Cars 1953-54 Cars 1955 Cars 1956-57 Cars 1958-59 Ferrari California Spider Germany Germany II Mercedes-Benz British cars Aston Martin Jaguar Movies
Chronology : 20th century 1950-1959 1954 1955 1956 1957 1959
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Top 10 Cars Cars 1953-54 Cars 1955 Cars 1956-57 Cars 1958-59 Ferrari California Spider Germany Germany II Mercedes-Benz British cars Aston Martin Jaguar Movies
Chronology : 20th century 1950-1959 1954 1955 1956 1957 1959
1954 Mercedes-Benz W196
2013 SOLD for £ 19.6M by Bonhams
Everything goes very fast, in any meaning of the word, for Mercedes-Benz at the beginning of 1954. Technology is the best asset to win competitions. For coming back to racing, the German brand aligns the 300SL model for endurance and the W196 single-seater model for Formula 1.
They must win. Mercedes managed to take the best driver, Juan Manuel Fangio, world champion in 1951 with Alfa Romeo, who had just won the first two grand prix of the season on a Maserati.
For their first collaboration, Mercedes and Fangio win the Reims grand prix on a W196 with enclosed wheels. Surrounding the wheel by a piece of bodywork is a theoretical advantage because it limits the impact of air friction. The top speed exceeds 200 km / h.
At that time, the skill of the pilot is prevailing on theories. The next grand prix, at Silverstone, is sinuous. Powerless against Ferrari, Fangio requires the withdrawal of the enclosing to improve his freedom of action. This is the right decision.
Thus are born the chassis 005 and 006 of the W196. With the open wheeled 006, Fangio wins the next two grand prix, in Germany at the Nürburgring and in Switzerland at Bremgarten.
The 006 has no rival for the title of most prestigious single-seater car of all time, formerly driven by the most skilful driver of all time. It was sold for £ 19.6M on July 12, 2013 by Bonhams.
An open wheeled W196 (perhaps the 006) is driven by Fangio himself during a demonstration at the Nürburgring in 1986. The image below is licensed under Creative Commons with attribution By Lothar Spurzem [CC-BY-SA-2.0-de (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/de/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons.
They must win. Mercedes managed to take the best driver, Juan Manuel Fangio, world champion in 1951 with Alfa Romeo, who had just won the first two grand prix of the season on a Maserati.
For their first collaboration, Mercedes and Fangio win the Reims grand prix on a W196 with enclosed wheels. Surrounding the wheel by a piece of bodywork is a theoretical advantage because it limits the impact of air friction. The top speed exceeds 200 km / h.
At that time, the skill of the pilot is prevailing on theories. The next grand prix, at Silverstone, is sinuous. Powerless against Ferrari, Fangio requires the withdrawal of the enclosing to improve his freedom of action. This is the right decision.
Thus are born the chassis 005 and 006 of the W196. With the open wheeled 006, Fangio wins the next two grand prix, in Germany at the Nürburgring and in Switzerland at Bremgarten.
The 006 has no rival for the title of most prestigious single-seater car of all time, formerly driven by the most skilful driver of all time. It was sold for £ 19.6M on July 12, 2013 by Bonhams.
An open wheeled W196 (perhaps the 006) is driven by Fangio himself during a demonstration at the Nürburgring in 1986. The image below is licensed under Creative Commons with attribution By Lothar Spurzem [CC-BY-SA-2.0-de (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/de/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons.
1955 Mercedes-Benz Uhlenhaut Coupé
2022 SOLD for € 135M by RM Sotheby's
Two special adaptations of the 3 litre 300 SLR coupé were made by Mercedes-Benz in 1955. Designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut, they are known as the Uhlenhaut coupés. Capable of reaching 290 km/h, this model was the fastest road going car of its time.
Employed by Mercedes-Benz since 1931, Uhlenhaut had been a lead designer of the Silver Arrows, of the Formula One highly successful W196 of JM Fangio fame and of the open top Rennsport 300 SLR of Stirling Moss fame. He was also behind the scene of the Le Mans winner W194 and of the road going 300 SL gullwing.
The Uhlenhaut coupés were assembled as two seaters with gullwing doors on two W196 chassis left unused after the 1955 Le Mans crash and the subsequent withdrawal of the brand from motor sport.
Both prototypes were retained by Mercedes-Benz from new. Uhlenhaut had one as a company car. He once drove the 230 km on the autobahn between Stuttgart and Munich in less than an hour.
The first one is on display in the museum of the brand. The second car was used as a demonstration car and was restored in 1986. It was sold for € 135M on May 5, 2022 by RM Sotheby's in a private auction, lot 1. The proceeds help to create a Mercedes-Benz fund for young researchers in environmental science and carbon dioxide reduction.
Please watch the video shared by the auction house, featuring with the hammer Oliver Barker, chairman of Sotheby's Europe.
Employed by Mercedes-Benz since 1931, Uhlenhaut had been a lead designer of the Silver Arrows, of the Formula One highly successful W196 of JM Fangio fame and of the open top Rennsport 300 SLR of Stirling Moss fame. He was also behind the scene of the Le Mans winner W194 and of the road going 300 SL gullwing.
The Uhlenhaut coupés were assembled as two seaters with gullwing doors on two W196 chassis left unused after the 1955 Le Mans crash and the subsequent withdrawal of the brand from motor sport.
Both prototypes were retained by Mercedes-Benz from new. Uhlenhaut had one as a company car. He once drove the 230 km on the autobahn between Stuttgart and Munich in less than an hour.
The first one is on display in the museum of the brand. The second car was used as a demonstration car and was restored in 1986. It was sold for € 135M on May 5, 2022 by RM Sotheby's in a private auction, lot 1. The proceeds help to create a Mercedes-Benz fund for young researchers in environmental science and carbon dioxide reduction.
Please watch the video shared by the auction house, featuring with the hammer Oliver Barker, chairman of Sotheby's Europe.
1955 410 S CM
Intro
The variety of the races on road and track forced the leading brands in the 1950s to develop new solutions to win in all circumstances. The diversity of models, sometimes built in only a few units, is a direct consequence.
In 1950 the Mexican government created one of the most dangerous events, the Carrera Panamericana, an endurance race over 3,300 Km on the rough roads of Mexico. In 1954 the Pan-Am is won by Umberto Maglioli for Scuderia Ferrari with a Ferrari 375 Plus. That model was the technological sensation of the year, designed for power and endurance with its big 4.9 liter engine.
In 1955, Ferrari wants to do even better. They develop the 410 Sports or 410 S CM. S in 410 S means Sports. 410 is the volume per cylinder of the Lampredi V-12 engine for its nearly 5.0 liter overall developed for the 410 Superamerica road car. CM meaning Carrera Messicana clearly indicates that Ferrari relied on the Pan-Am for demonstrating their superiority.
It is required that the car is stable. A new chassis lowers the center of gravity and the wheelbase is slightly reduced to a new standard that will be used two years later for the 250 Testarossa. The 410 S is equipped with a vast tank of 195 liters and large pipes to avoid refueling over long distances.
The production started in 1955 with a terminus ante quem before the January 29, 1956 1,000 km Buenos Aires. They are titled 1955. The bodies designed and built by Sergio Scaglietti are wider than the 375 Plus.
Four cars are built, the first two for private clients and the other two for the Scuderia Ferrari. The first, third and fourth cars are spiders. The second car is a berlinetta. The works cars are arguably the most powerful racing cars of the period with an uprating from 335 to 375 hp by twin plug cylinders for a top speed just over 300 km/h.
The final cancellation of the Panamericana for safety and cost reasons after the 1955 Le Mans disaster ruined Ferrari's expectation that the 410 S CM becomes the demonstrator of their unprecedented know how. The 1,000 km Nürburgring was also cancelled. Some experts view that model as the best Ferrari ever made.
In 1950 the Mexican government created one of the most dangerous events, the Carrera Panamericana, an endurance race over 3,300 Km on the rough roads of Mexico. In 1954 the Pan-Am is won by Umberto Maglioli for Scuderia Ferrari with a Ferrari 375 Plus. That model was the technological sensation of the year, designed for power and endurance with its big 4.9 liter engine.
In 1955, Ferrari wants to do even better. They develop the 410 Sports or 410 S CM. S in 410 S means Sports. 410 is the volume per cylinder of the Lampredi V-12 engine for its nearly 5.0 liter overall developed for the 410 Superamerica road car. CM meaning Carrera Messicana clearly indicates that Ferrari relied on the Pan-Am for demonstrating their superiority.
It is required that the car is stable. A new chassis lowers the center of gravity and the wheelbase is slightly reduced to a new standard that will be used two years later for the 250 Testarossa. The 410 S is equipped with a vast tank of 195 liters and large pipes to avoid refueling over long distances.
The production started in 1955 with a terminus ante quem before the January 29, 1956 1,000 km Buenos Aires. They are titled 1955. The bodies designed and built by Sergio Scaglietti are wider than the 375 Plus.
Four cars are built, the first two for private clients and the other two for the Scuderia Ferrari. The first, third and fourth cars are spiders. The second car is a berlinetta. The works cars are arguably the most powerful racing cars of the period with an uprating from 335 to 375 hp by twin plug cylinders for a top speed just over 300 km/h.
The final cancellation of the Panamericana for safety and cost reasons after the 1955 Le Mans disaster ruined Ferrari's expectation that the 410 S CM becomes the demonstrator of their unprecedented know how. The 1,000 km Nürburgring was also cancelled. Some experts view that model as the best Ferrari ever made.
1
0592 CM Spyder
2014 SOLD for $ 23M by Rick Cole
The first 410 S CM is a one off spyder made in 1955 by Scaglietti. It waits in vain for the Mexican race which is canceled after the accident at Le Mans, for the great frustration of Enzo Ferrari.
It has been little raced and has an incident-free history. It had been nevertheless driven to overall victory by Carroll Shelby at the 1956 Palm Spring Road Races, under the ownership of the elusive Tony Parravano who disappeared in April 1960 before a trial for tax evasion, never to be heard of again.
It was offered by Rick Cole on August 17, 2014 without a floor session. It is illustrated on the article shared by Sports Car Digest. It was reported as unsold with a maximum bid of $ 22.111M. Sports Car Digest later caught the information that it was sold in post block sale for a final price of $ 23M. This price is confirmed by barchetta.com.
Comprehensively restored in 2017 including the engine rebuild, it was sold for $ 13M by RM Sotheby's on August 17, 2024, lot 357.
Its image is shared by Wikimedia with attribution Sicnag, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.
It has been little raced and has an incident-free history. It had been nevertheless driven to overall victory by Carroll Shelby at the 1956 Palm Spring Road Races, under the ownership of the elusive Tony Parravano who disappeared in April 1960 before a trial for tax evasion, never to be heard of again.
It was offered by Rick Cole on August 17, 2014 without a floor session. It is illustrated on the article shared by Sports Car Digest. It was reported as unsold with a maximum bid of $ 22.111M. Sports Car Digest later caught the information that it was sold in post block sale for a final price of $ 23M. This price is confirmed by barchetta.com.
Comprehensively restored in 2017 including the engine rebuild, it was sold for $ 13M by RM Sotheby's on August 17, 2024, lot 357.
Its image is shared by Wikimedia with attribution Sicnag, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.
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2
0598 CM Spyder
2022 SOLD for $ 22M by RM Sotheby's
Within the low population of four 410 S considered as the best Ferrari ever made and the still lower population of two with twin plug cylinders, the chassis 0598 CM has by far the best racing history, entering nearly 40 events in period and recording 11 victories.
The car was used by the works team in only one event, the 1956 1000 km Buenos Aires where it was driven by Fangio and Castellotti. It was then raced for the privateer John Edgar. Its most successful driver was Carroll Shelby with 8 wins. The car was sold in 1960 by Edgar to Chinetti.
Carroll Shelby inscribed in 2006 on its fuel tank : "Mr Ferrari told me that this car was the best Ferrari he ever built". He said in period "Nothing can touch this Ferrari if it runs" and much later "It was the best Ferrari I ever drove".
Remaining highly original with its engine, chassis and Scaglietti body in matching numbers, it was sold for $ 22M by RM Sotheby's on August 20, 2022, lot 355. Please watch the video shared by the auction house. Its image at that sale is shared by Wikimedia with attribution : Prova MO, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Its sister car in the Scuderia Ferrari is the 0596 spider which also entered and did not finish the 1956 1000 km Buenos Aires. It was sold for $ 3.8M by RM Auctions on August 18, 2001.
The car was used by the works team in only one event, the 1956 1000 km Buenos Aires where it was driven by Fangio and Castellotti. It was then raced for the privateer John Edgar. Its most successful driver was Carroll Shelby with 8 wins. The car was sold in 1960 by Edgar to Chinetti.
Carroll Shelby inscribed in 2006 on its fuel tank : "Mr Ferrari told me that this car was the best Ferrari he ever built". He said in period "Nothing can touch this Ferrari if it runs" and much later "It was the best Ferrari I ever drove".
Remaining highly original with its engine, chassis and Scaglietti body in matching numbers, it was sold for $ 22M by RM Sotheby's on August 20, 2022, lot 355. Please watch the video shared by the auction house. Its image at that sale is shared by Wikimedia with attribution : Prova MO, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Its sister car in the Scuderia Ferrari is the 0596 spider which also entered and did not finish the 1956 1000 km Buenos Aires. It was sold for $ 3.8M by RM Auctions on August 18, 2001.
1955 Jaguar D-Type
2016 SOLD for $ 21.8M by RM Sotheby's
In the early 1950s, Jaguar targets Le Mans. The C-Type perfectly meets this ambition. Design changes are frequent to maintain competitiveness and to follow the rule changes made necessary to ensure the safety. The C-Type Lightweight from 1953 is a transition model preparing the 1954 D-type.
Jaguar triumphed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1953 with their C-Type model winning the first, second and fourth final positions. For the first time a radar speed trap was managed in the Mulsanne straight. The highest speed was recorded at 249 km/h with a Cunningham.
The public was eagerly awaiting the 1954 event for which the first-ever television broadcast of that race added a further appeal. Jaguar and Ferrari are the favorites, symbolizing a competition between technology and power.
The Jaguar D-Type model is ready just in time to enter three prototypes. It has been developed in the wind tunnel to improve the stiffness and reduce the drag. It is spectacular with its unprecedented stabilizer fin. The cockpit is monocoque and it is made lighter by the use of an aluminum alloy. The 3.4-liter engine is unchanged from the C-Type.
The D-Type driven by Stirling Moss records the highest top speed at 278 km/h but the over-powered Ferrari 375 Plus with its 4.9-liter engine is the best on the full lap and wins the race.
The first two commercial D-Type, chassis XKD 501 and 502, are delivered in 1955 to Ecurie Ecosse, a private team that works closely with Jaguar. Due to an accident, XKD 501 cannot participate at Le Mans in its first year.
The disaster of Le Mans significantly changes the game. Mercedes-Benz will not return. In 1956, a regulatory limitation of the fuel creates a headache for high volume engines. The XKD 501 of the Ecurie Ecosse wins the race one lap ahead of an Aston Martin. The feat of the Ecurie Ecosse is of high merit because the car is equipped with a big 3.4-liter engine.
Still more important changes are being considered in the rules. In 1957 Jaguar terminates its racing team. In 1958 Le Mans limits the size of engines to 3 liters, precipitating the end of career of the glorious chain of the C-Types and D-Types. It is funny to note that "C" meant Competition while "D" is simply the next after C in the alphabet.
XKD 501 was maintained in its configuration and its engine of the 1956 Le Mans victory. Its condition is certainly the most authentic among the five Jaguar that won at Le Mans in the 1950s. It had been fitted before Le Mans with the engine from the third D -Type of Ecurie Ecosse, XKD 561, a car that the team mostly used as a spare.
XKD 501 was sold for $ 21.8M by RM Sotheby's on August 19, 2016, lot 114. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Jaguar is hoping to make a commercial profit from the great performance of the D-Type in 1954 at Le Mans : second position overall for Hamilton and Rolt and top speed record at 278 Km/h by Moss. In the following year the brand accepts orders from private teams. The improved 'long nose' variant will however remain for the exclusive use of the works team.
Also in 1955, for meeting the requirement to engage commercially available models in competition, Jaguar begins to produce in series the D-Type model with its 1954 "short nose".
Selling that model was never easy. A red painted D-Type sent to a dealer in Manchester in December 1955 cannot find a buyer. Returned to London, it finally dazzles a driver who buys it to Bernie Ecclestone acting as a trader. After a significant participation in British races from 1956 to 1958, the car becomes the property of the female driver Jean Bloxham who races it twice.
This D-Type XKD 518 has never been modified or damaged and has even been repainted in its original factory red. Former owners praised its comfort and its ideal handling in heavy rain. It was sold for $ 6M by RM Sotheby's on January 22, 2021, lot 141.
In very good condition but without a competition history, XKD 561 was sold for £ 2.6M by Bonhams on December 1, 2013.
Over its three years in production, the population of the D-Type is 6 works cars plus 54 cars for trade.
Jaguar triumphed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1953 with their C-Type model winning the first, second and fourth final positions. For the first time a radar speed trap was managed in the Mulsanne straight. The highest speed was recorded at 249 km/h with a Cunningham.
The public was eagerly awaiting the 1954 event for which the first-ever television broadcast of that race added a further appeal. Jaguar and Ferrari are the favorites, symbolizing a competition between technology and power.
The Jaguar D-Type model is ready just in time to enter three prototypes. It has been developed in the wind tunnel to improve the stiffness and reduce the drag. It is spectacular with its unprecedented stabilizer fin. The cockpit is monocoque and it is made lighter by the use of an aluminum alloy. The 3.4-liter engine is unchanged from the C-Type.
The D-Type driven by Stirling Moss records the highest top speed at 278 km/h but the over-powered Ferrari 375 Plus with its 4.9-liter engine is the best on the full lap and wins the race.
The first two commercial D-Type, chassis XKD 501 and 502, are delivered in 1955 to Ecurie Ecosse, a private team that works closely with Jaguar. Due to an accident, XKD 501 cannot participate at Le Mans in its first year.
The disaster of Le Mans significantly changes the game. Mercedes-Benz will not return. In 1956, a regulatory limitation of the fuel creates a headache for high volume engines. The XKD 501 of the Ecurie Ecosse wins the race one lap ahead of an Aston Martin. The feat of the Ecurie Ecosse is of high merit because the car is equipped with a big 3.4-liter engine.
Still more important changes are being considered in the rules. In 1957 Jaguar terminates its racing team. In 1958 Le Mans limits the size of engines to 3 liters, precipitating the end of career of the glorious chain of the C-Types and D-Types. It is funny to note that "C" meant Competition while "D" is simply the next after C in the alphabet.
XKD 501 was maintained in its configuration and its engine of the 1956 Le Mans victory. Its condition is certainly the most authentic among the five Jaguar that won at Le Mans in the 1950s. It had been fitted before Le Mans with the engine from the third D -Type of Ecurie Ecosse, XKD 561, a car that the team mostly used as a spare.
XKD 501 was sold for $ 21.8M by RM Sotheby's on August 19, 2016, lot 114. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Jaguar is hoping to make a commercial profit from the great performance of the D-Type in 1954 at Le Mans : second position overall for Hamilton and Rolt and top speed record at 278 Km/h by Moss. In the following year the brand accepts orders from private teams. The improved 'long nose' variant will however remain for the exclusive use of the works team.
Also in 1955, for meeting the requirement to engage commercially available models in competition, Jaguar begins to produce in series the D-Type model with its 1954 "short nose".
Selling that model was never easy. A red painted D-Type sent to a dealer in Manchester in December 1955 cannot find a buyer. Returned to London, it finally dazzles a driver who buys it to Bernie Ecclestone acting as a trader. After a significant participation in British races from 1956 to 1958, the car becomes the property of the female driver Jean Bloxham who races it twice.
This D-Type XKD 518 has never been modified or damaged and has even been repainted in its original factory red. Former owners praised its comfort and its ideal handling in heavy rain. It was sold for $ 6M by RM Sotheby's on January 22, 2021, lot 141.
In very good condition but without a competition history, XKD 561 was sold for £ 2.6M by Bonhams on December 1, 2013.
Over its three years in production, the population of the D-Type is 6 works cars plus 54 cars for trade.
1956 Ferrari 290 MM
2015 SOLD for $ 28M by RM Sotheby's
Mercedes-Benz stopped its involvement in competition at the end of the 1955 season. Ferrari watched around the corner and managed to sign a contract with Juan Manuel Fangio. Aged 45 in 1956, the Argentine champion felt that his future was unassured due to the fall of Peron and could not any more consider to retire.
The World Sportscar Championship arouses a similar interest as Formula 1. Faced with the formidable challenge from the Maserati 300S, Ferrari prepares the 290 MM, certainly with some recommendations by its new driver. As usual for Ferrari at that time, the race for which the model is specifically prepared is indicated in the description: MM means Mille Miglia. Four cars are built.
The 1956 Mille Miglia are disturbed by heavy rain that causes no less than three fatalities. The competition is won by a 290 MM driven by Castellotti. Fangio is fourth with his car of the same model.
That 290 MM will not be reused later by Fangio but will have a significant history with other top drivers from the Scuderia Ferrari such as Portago, Phil Hill and Gendebien. Sold to a US private owner in the middle of the 1957 season, it is raced until 1964 without any crash.
This car has retained all its original features: chassis, engine, gearbox and its body by Scaglietti. It was sold for $ 28M by RM Sotheby's on December 10, 2015, lot 221.
Fangio failed to cooperate permanently with Enzo Ferrari and came back to Maserati just after his one-year contract. The Ferrari cars driven in competition by this champion are indeed extremely rare and the example for sale has an amazing authenticity.
The World Sportscar Championship arouses a similar interest as Formula 1. Faced with the formidable challenge from the Maserati 300S, Ferrari prepares the 290 MM, certainly with some recommendations by its new driver. As usual for Ferrari at that time, the race for which the model is specifically prepared is indicated in the description: MM means Mille Miglia. Four cars are built.
The 1956 Mille Miglia are disturbed by heavy rain that causes no less than three fatalities. The competition is won by a 290 MM driven by Castellotti. Fangio is fourth with his car of the same model.
That 290 MM will not be reused later by Fangio but will have a significant history with other top drivers from the Scuderia Ferrari such as Portago, Phil Hill and Gendebien. Sold to a US private owner in the middle of the 1957 season, it is raced until 1964 without any crash.
This car has retained all its original features: chassis, engine, gearbox and its body by Scaglietti. It was sold for $ 28M by RM Sotheby's on December 10, 2015, lot 221.
Fangio failed to cooperate permanently with Enzo Ferrari and came back to Maserati just after his one-year contract. The Ferrari cars driven in competition by this champion are indeed extremely rare and the example for sale has an amazing authenticity.
1956 Ferrari 860 Monza / 290 MM
2018 SOLD for $ 22M by RM Sotheby's
The 1956 edition of the Mille Miglia is a triumph for the Scuderia Ferrari whose four entered cars, two 860 Monza and two 290 MM, win the first four places.
One of the 290 MM was driven by Fangio to the fourth place. It was sold for $ 28M by RM Sotheby's on December 10, 2015.
Ranked second in the above event, one of the two 860 Monza had been driven by Collins. For the 1957 season it remains at the Scuderia but is transformed by the factory into a 290 MM. It was sold to a privateer in August 1957 and then got its first win with Stirling Moss. During its time with the Scuderia it had been driven by the same amazing lineup as the example above.
This car then underwent further transformations, including the pontoon bodywork which ensured in 1957 the success of the 250 Testa Rossa. It was restored by Ferrari Classiche in its 290 MM configuration of early 1957 with the engine, gearbox and bodywork in matching numbers from that phase.
It was sold for $ 22M by RM Sotheby's on December 8, 2018, lot 241. Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's, showing its great road going condition. The image shared by Wikimedia with attribution Tino Rossini from Toronto, Canada [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons is earlier than the last restoration.
The 290 MM is scarce : only four cars ever received this configuration.
One of the 290 MM was driven by Fangio to the fourth place. It was sold for $ 28M by RM Sotheby's on December 10, 2015.
Ranked second in the above event, one of the two 860 Monza had been driven by Collins. For the 1957 season it remains at the Scuderia but is transformed by the factory into a 290 MM. It was sold to a privateer in August 1957 and then got its first win with Stirling Moss. During its time with the Scuderia it had been driven by the same amazing lineup as the example above.
This car then underwent further transformations, including the pontoon bodywork which ensured in 1957 the success of the 250 Testa Rossa. It was restored by Ferrari Classiche in its 290 MM configuration of early 1957 with the engine, gearbox and bodywork in matching numbers from that phase.
It was sold for $ 22M by RM Sotheby's on December 8, 2018, lot 241. Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's, showing its great road going condition. The image shared by Wikimedia with attribution Tino Rossini from Toronto, Canada [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons is earlier than the last restoration.
The 290 MM is scarce : only four cars ever received this configuration.
1956 Aston Martin DBR1
2017 SOLD for $ 22.6M by RM Sotheby's
When David Brown buys Aston Martin and Lagonda in 1947, his ambition is to lead Aston Martin to win at the 24 hours of Le Mans by relying on the innovative achievements of both brands. Twelve years of stubborn efforts will follow.
The valiant DB3S manages to sneak into the podiums of the endurance competitions but is not powerful enough against Ferrari, Jaguar and Maserati. The changes in Le Mans regulation for limiting the volume in the prototype category are favorable to Ferrari and Aston Martin. The two brands launch ambitious developments : the 250 TR in 1957 for Ferrari and the DBR1 (David Brown Racing 1) in 1956 for Aston Martin.
The first DBR1 car (DBR1/1) is assembled in 1956 with a 3-liter engine sometimes replaced until 1958 by a 2.5-liter engine to comply with the new regulations of some competitions. In 1957 a second DBR1 is made, along with two DBR2 equipped with a larger engine that will be upgraded in two phases to 4.2 liters. Three additional DBR1 will follow.
This model is perfect for the 1000 Km Nürburgring won in 1957 by DBR1/2, in 1958 by DBR1/3, and in 1959 by DBR1/1 with Stirling Moss and Jack Fairman. Taking advantage of Ferrari's misfortune, DBR1/2 realizes at last its boss's dream by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959. After a final DBR1/2 victory at Goodwood, Aston Martin stops the competition probably due to financial difficulties and the cars continue their careers with private teams.
Painstakingly maintained as close as possible to its 1959 configuration with the cooperation of the former chief designer of the DBR project, DBR1/1 was sold for $ 22.6M by RM Sotheby's on August 18, 2017, lot 148. It is equipped with a replica engine of the correct configuration and accompanied by its 3-liter engine of 1959.
Please watch in the RM tweet the very short video shared by the auction house.
Wikimedia shares an image of DBR1/1 driven by Carroll Shelby at Sebring in 1958. Attribution : By C5813 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The valiant DB3S manages to sneak into the podiums of the endurance competitions but is not powerful enough against Ferrari, Jaguar and Maserati. The changes in Le Mans regulation for limiting the volume in the prototype category are favorable to Ferrari and Aston Martin. The two brands launch ambitious developments : the 250 TR in 1957 for Ferrari and the DBR1 (David Brown Racing 1) in 1956 for Aston Martin.
The first DBR1 car (DBR1/1) is assembled in 1956 with a 3-liter engine sometimes replaced until 1958 by a 2.5-liter engine to comply with the new regulations of some competitions. In 1957 a second DBR1 is made, along with two DBR2 equipped with a larger engine that will be upgraded in two phases to 4.2 liters. Three additional DBR1 will follow.
This model is perfect for the 1000 Km Nürburgring won in 1957 by DBR1/2, in 1958 by DBR1/3, and in 1959 by DBR1/1 with Stirling Moss and Jack Fairman. Taking advantage of Ferrari's misfortune, DBR1/2 realizes at last its boss's dream by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959. After a final DBR1/2 victory at Goodwood, Aston Martin stops the competition probably due to financial difficulties and the cars continue their careers with private teams.
Painstakingly maintained as close as possible to its 1959 configuration with the cooperation of the former chief designer of the DBR project, DBR1/1 was sold for $ 22.6M by RM Sotheby's on August 18, 2017, lot 148. It is equipped with a replica engine of the correct configuration and accompanied by its 3-liter engine of 1959.
Please watch in the RM tweet the very short video shared by the auction house.
Wikimedia shares an image of DBR1/1 driven by Carroll Shelby at Sebring in 1958. Attribution : By C5813 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
1957 Ferrari 315 S / 335 S
2016 SOLD for € 32M by Artcurial
The Prototipi class in endurance racing enables Ferrari to develop in the mid-1950s a range of powerful and spectacular vehicles made in very small quantities. The top goal is to win the Mille Miglia. In 1956 Ferrari's efforts were rewarded by a return to victory with a 290 MM driven by Castellotti.
In 1957 the 315 S with a 3.8-liter engine and the 335 S with a 4-liter engine appear as the successors to the 290 MM. A 315 S driven by Taruffi won the race ahead of another 315 S driven by Von Trips. Unfortunately the most prestigious Italian endurance competition is forbidden by the Italian government following the accident of the 335 S of De Portago.
Other competitions continue and the cars are subject to the improvements necessary to maintain their competitiveness. The Ferrari 315 S which had been used by Von Trips receives a 4-liter engine, becoming a 335 S. It is also equipped with the fender pontoon front intended to reduce the overheating, which makes the glory in the same year of the 250 Testarossa .
After a very good competition history, the 315 S / 335 S enters the collection of Pierre Bardinon who restores it in its spider configuration while separately keeping the pontoon fender that still accompanies the car today. It was sold for € 32M by Artcurial on February 5, 2016, lot 170.
In 1957 the 315 S with a 3.8-liter engine and the 335 S with a 4-liter engine appear as the successors to the 290 MM. A 315 S driven by Taruffi won the race ahead of another 315 S driven by Von Trips. Unfortunately the most prestigious Italian endurance competition is forbidden by the Italian government following the accident of the 335 S of De Portago.
Other competitions continue and the cars are subject to the improvements necessary to maintain their competitiveness. The Ferrari 315 S which had been used by Von Trips receives a 4-liter engine, becoming a 335 S. It is also equipped with the fender pontoon front intended to reduce the overheating, which makes the glory in the same year of the 250 Testarossa .
After a very good competition history, the 315 S / 335 S enters the collection of Pierre Bardinon who restores it in its spider configuration while separately keeping the pontoon fender that still accompanies the car today. It was sold for € 32M by Artcurial on February 5, 2016, lot 170.
1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider
2017 SOLD for $ 18M by RM Sotheby's
Designed on the 250 GT chassis as a cabriolet to please American customers, the California Spider (originally Spyder) was not expected by Ferrari to compete in endurance racing against the berlinetta nicknamed TdF built on the same chassis.
It was however tempting to push the California into the competition. Luigi Chinetti is acting between Ferrari and American customers. Having been at the origin of the California project, he obtains from Ferrari the delivery of aluminum alloy bodied spiders.
In 1959 the 250 GT chassis is still in its long version which will later be identified as LWB. For the 24 hours of Le Mans in that year Chinetti and his NART team enter three Ferraris : a 250 Testa Rossa, a 250 TdF and a California Spider.
Released from the factory under pressure from Chinetti five days before Le Mans with a simple flash of paint and a far from complete interior layout, this 250 GT LWB California Spider is the second of its kind in the Competizione configuration. Driven by its first owner and a co-driver, this brand new car ends the event with a very good result : 5th overall and 3rd in class. It was afterward honorably participating in various American competitions in 1959 and 1960.
This high-end car with a competition history is still more desirable since it was restored in 2011 by Motion Products Inc., the company of Wayne Obry. It was sold for $ 18M from a lower estimate of $ 14M by RM Sotheby's on December 6, 2017, lot 141.
One of the seven (or eight) other LWB aluminum bodied Spiders was sold for $ 18M including premium by Gooding on August 20, 2016. Ferrari and NART did not push this solution much further : only three SWB Spiders will be built for competition.
It was however tempting to push the California into the competition. Luigi Chinetti is acting between Ferrari and American customers. Having been at the origin of the California project, he obtains from Ferrari the delivery of aluminum alloy bodied spiders.
In 1959 the 250 GT chassis is still in its long version which will later be identified as LWB. For the 24 hours of Le Mans in that year Chinetti and his NART team enter three Ferraris : a 250 Testa Rossa, a 250 TdF and a California Spider.
Released from the factory under pressure from Chinetti five days before Le Mans with a simple flash of paint and a far from complete interior layout, this 250 GT LWB California Spider is the second of its kind in the Competizione configuration. Driven by its first owner and a co-driver, this brand new car ends the event with a very good result : 5th overall and 3rd in class. It was afterward honorably participating in various American competitions in 1959 and 1960.
This high-end car with a competition history is still more desirable since it was restored in 2011 by Motion Products Inc., the company of Wayne Obry. It was sold for $ 18M from a lower estimate of $ 14M by RM Sotheby's on December 6, 2017, lot 141.
One of the seven (or eight) other LWB aluminum bodied Spiders was sold for $ 18M including premium by Gooding on August 20, 2016. Ferrari and NART did not push this solution much further : only three SWB Spiders will be built for competition.
