S ince its inauguration in 1956, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum has served as a mecca for racing enthusiasts the world over. What began as just 12 cars has since blossomed into one of the most impressive collections of speed machines ever assembled, counting among its number some of the most sought-after collector cars on the planet. Now, as the Museum aims to refocus on only those cars with a special link to The Brickyard and the Indianapolis 500, a spectacular selection of 11 landmark automobiles will be offered at auction in partnership with RM Sotheby’s.
Marked by their exceptional provenance and quality, many of these cars have resided in the Museum’s care for decades, having been carefully preserved for future generations. Among their number are some of the most significant competition cars to ever turn a wheel in anger, including Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss’ 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen and Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt’s 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning Ferrari 250 LM. With everything from the pioneering 1908 Mercedes 17.3-Litre 150 HP ‘Brookland’ Semmering Rennwagen to Craig Breedlove’s 600 mph+ 1965 Spirit of America Sonic I, the sale of these special treasures from arguably America’s greatest temple of speed marks an unrepeatable moment in history.
The Collection
1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen
Chassis No. 00009/54
Among the most spectacular and desirable competition motor cars the world has ever seen, this breathtaking Silver Arrow was raced by two of the great icons of motorsport, Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss, and represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire one of the rarest and most special Mercedes-Benz racers to ever come to market.
Estimate: In excess of €50,000,000
TO BE OFFERED IN STUTTGART 1 FEBRUARY
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1964 Ferrari 250 LM
Chassis No. 5893
Winner of the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans with Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt, this 250 LM is unquestionably one of the most successful and desirable competition Ferraris in existence—an icon of motorsport and a hallowed piece of Ferrari, Le Mans, and NART history.
Estimate: In excess of €25,000,000
TO BE OFFERED AT PARIS 4-5 FEBRUARY
1966 Ford GT40 Mk II
Chassis No. P/1032
A highly correct example of Ford’s titanic 7-litre second-series GT40, campaigned by Holman-Moody at the 1966 24 Hours of Sebring and 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans before going on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 1968.
Estimate: $8,000,000 - $11,000,000
TO BE OFFERED AT MIAMI 27-28 FEBRUARY
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1957 Chevrolet Corvette SS Project XP-64
Chassis No. MVIN215923IND
The most desirable Corvette in existence; a one-of-a-kind tubular space-framed, magnesium-bodied racing Corvette conceived by Zora Arkus-Duntov and built to unseat the likes of the Jaguar D-Type at the highest levels of competition, but retired after one outing at Sebring following Detroit’s industrywide ban on motor racing.
Estimate: $5,000,000 - $7,000,000
TO BE OFFERED AT MIAMI 27-28 FEBRUARY
1991 Benetton B191 Formula 1
Chassis No. B191-08
A vanishingly rare Formula 1 car from Michael Schumacher’s first full season at Benetton Racing; placed 4th at the 1992 South African Grand Prix driven by future seven-times World Champion Michael Schumacher, prior to being raced at the 1992 Mexican and Brazilian Grands Prix by Martin Brundle.
Estimate: $600,000 - $800,000
TO BE OFFERED AT MIAMI 27-28 FEBRUARY
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1930 Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix
Chassis No. 694
Engine No. 201T
A rare, supercharged variant of arguably the most successful racing car of all time; an incredibly pure example of the breed that ranks among the most authentic specimens offered in recent years.
Estimate: $1,000,000 - $1,800,000
TO BE OFFERED AT MIAMI 27-28 FEBRUARY
1965 Spirit of America Sonic I
An icon of American ingenuity and a legend of Land Speed Record history, the Spirit of America Sonic I carried Craig Breedlove to a record-breaking 600.601 mph on 15 November 1965 prior to joining the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in the mid-1970s.
Estimate: $500,000 - $1,000,000
TO BE OFFERED AT MIAMI 27-28 FEBRUARY
1908 Mercedes 17.3-Liter 150 HP ‘Brookland’ Semmering Rennwagen
Chassis No. 874
Engine No. 820
Powered by a one-off 17.3-litre four-cylinder engine, this magnificent Grand Prix titan represents the pinnacle of early chain-driven, big-capacity racers; unquestionably one of the most significant pre-war competition automobiles in the world.
Estimate: $7,000,000 - $9,000,000
TO BE OFFERED AT MIAMI 27-28 FEBRUARY
1907 Itala 120 HP Works Racing Car
Engine No. 20
Gearbox No. 1260
One of just three surviving big-displacement competition Italas, this truly spectacular pioneering racer boasts an unbroken chain of ownership since 1916, having resided in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum since 1965.
Estimate: $2,000,000 - $3,000,000
TO BE OFFERED AT MIAMI 27-28 FEBRUARY
1911 Laurin & Klement Type S2 Sportswagen
Serial No. 1622
The sole surviving example of Laurin & Klement’s S2 Sportswagen; a fascinating Edwardian thoroughbred boasting period competition history and wild engineering features that has remained in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum since 1964.
Estimate: $100,000 - $150,000
TO BE OFFERED AT MIAMI 27-28 FEBRUARY
1911 Mercedes 22/40 HP ‘Colonial’ Double Phaeton
Chassis No. 10797
Engine No. 13609
An astonishingly authentic example of Mercedes’ luxurious 22/40 HP, this special car was configured in ‘Colonial’ specification, with dual chain drive improving ground clearance and widening its track; a rare and highly original survivor ideally suited to Brass Era touring events.
Estimate: $150,000 - $250,000
TO BE OFFERED AT MIAMI 27-28 FEBRUARY
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