NEW YORK, New York, 19 October 2015
In the history of motor racing, it is hard to imagine two names with greater
stature than Ferrari and Juan Manuel Fangio, the enigmatic five-time
Formula One World Champion. To find a car which so closely connects
these two great motor racing legends is the Holy Grail for car collectors and
aficionados the world over. RM Sotheby’s is thrilled to announce it will offer
one such automobile, the ex-Works 1956 Ferrari 290 MM, chassis 0626,
at its exclusive Driven by Disruption sale, December 10 in New York City.
Raced not only by Fangio but also future World Champion Phil Hill, along
with numerous other celebrated Ferrari Formula One drivers, the featured
Ferrari is undoubtedly one of the greatest, most original, and most valuable
cars ever offered at public auction.
Chassis 0626 was specifically built by the Ferrari factory for Juan Manuel
Fangio to drive in the 1956 Mille Miglia. Certainly the best driver of his era,
and classed by many as the greatest driver who ever lived, Fangio raced
0626 in the 1000-mile event single-handedly, finishing an impressive 4th
overall in a race hindered by appalling conditions. Dressed in the unique
factory Argentinian color scheme for Fangio, the car featured a totally new
3.5-liter V-12 engine and was one of only four 290 MMs to be built.
Furthermore, it was one of the first Ferraris raced in Europe by Phil Hill and
also heralded the beginning of Wolfgang von Trips’ Ferrari-driving career. It
was famously piloted to victory in the 1957 Buenos Aires 1000 KM by
Eugenio Castellotti, Luigi Musso, and Masten Gregory. During its illustrious
career, 0626 was also campaigned by other legendary names including
Alfonso de Portago, Peter Collins, Olivier Gendebien, and Joakim Bonnier.
“It’s hard to know where to start when describing just how important this 290
MM is,” says Peter Wallman, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s. “Driven by the
greatest drivers of the 1950s and built for possibly THE greatest driver in
history, this is a car with which Enzo Ferrari was personally involved and is
a fundamental part of Ferrari folklore. Its originality, coupled with its
extraordinary provenance and history, which are truly second to none, can
only lead you to conclude that it is one of the most desirable and valuable
cars that will ever come to the open market.”
Combining rarity, powerful mechanical specification, important racing
history, and purposeful good looks, 0626 is the ultimate 1950s factory
sports racing car. An integral part of Ferrari’s 1956 and 1957 Manufacturer’s
World Championship-winning teams, it participated in a roll-call of classic
races during its period racing career, ... History >>>
In 1957, 0626 was sold through Luigi Chinetti to enthusiast Temple Buell, a
friend of Enzo Ferrari, who continued to campaign the car around the world
with Masten Gregory and Jo Bonnier behind the wheel. It then passed
through the hands of two enthusiastic Ferrari team owners and continued to
be raced up to 1964, eventually making its way into a private U.S.
collection.
Following the end of its racing career, 0626 remained in the United States
before it was acquired by renowned collector Pierre Bardinon, remaining in
his incredible Mas du Clos Collection for almost 34 years before being
purchased by its current custodian. It has since been presented at
numerous prestigious events, including the 1987 Cartier “Hommage to
Ferrari” exhibition and the UK’s Concours of Elegance, as well as
participating in the Mille Miglia Storica. Ferrari Classiche certified, it
remains the best of all the four examples built, having never fallen victim to
the crucible of motorsport, and retaining its original chassis,
matching-numbers engine, gearbox, and body. It comes to auction
accompanied by an extensive history file and is eligible for all major historic
events, including its 60th anniversary at the Mille Miglia next year (Estimate
available upon request).
The 290 MM will be joined at RM Sotheby’s New York sale by another great
competition Ferrari of the same era, the 1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial,
chassis 0564MD/0424MD.
Finished in French Blu and equipped with a Lampredi four-cylinder engine
with dual overhead camshafts, 0564MD/0424MD was sold new to French
gentleman driver Mr. Yves Dupont in 1955 and successfully campaigned in
period. It made its racing debut at the 12 heures de Hyères in May 1955
and later entered the famous and demanding Liège-Rome-Liège. Following
the end of the 1955 season, 0564MD/0424MD was returned to the factory to
be refurbished; it was never picked up by its owner and instead remained
there for the next two decades, during which time it was oversprayed red by
the factory and displayed at the Monza Museum. In 1975, the factory sold
the car to French enthusiast Jean-Francois du Montant. Over the ensuing
years, 0564MD/0424MD passed through the hands of a number of
respected, enthusiast owners.
In 2008, the then-owner of 0564MD/0424MD arranged for a Padova-based
body shop to delicately remove the red paint to reveal the original French
Blu paint underneath, a project that took three months to complete. The car
still wears its original French Blu paint today. In recent years, 0564MD/0424
MD has participated in a number of historic events, including multiple
appearances at the Mille Miglia Storica, as well as at various concours
events including Salon Privé. Extraordinarily original, it comes to auction
following a fresh engine rebuild and complete with Ferrari Classiche
certification. It is eligible to participate in all key historic events (Est.
$5,000,000 - $7,000,000).
RM Sotheby's Driven by Disruption event rounds out an already record year
for the international auction house. The upcoming New York sale, to be held
at Sotheby’s Manhattan headquarters on December 10, will feature a
carefully curated selection of some 30 creatively-styled and pioneering
motor cars, along with select automobilia. Each of the auction vehicles have
been handpicked by RM specialists to showcase the extremes of motoring
history and the molds that were broken by engineers and designers in
pushing the automotive envelope. As a prelude to the sale, an exclusive
six-day exhibition will open over the weekend of December 5 in Sotheby’s
10th floor galleries.
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