The upcoming RM sale, unquestionably one of Europe’s most eagerly-anticipated auction events, has already
grabbed headlines with the previously announced 1951 Ferrari 340 America Barchetta. The Ferrari will be
joined at the May sale by another racing great of a different era: the 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution, chassis
no. GT1 993-117. The only known road-registered example, GT1 993-117 is one of just 14 GT1 race cars in
private hands and has never before been offered for sale publicly. With over 13 wins to its name from 31
starts, this 993-based GT1 Evolution not only won the Canadian GT Championship three times (1999-2001)
but also participated in the Daytona 24 Hour race. Believed to be the only ex-race car with road registration in
existence, it is a vehicle that will wow crowds wherever it goes (Estimate: €2.700.000 - €3.000.000).
A Monaco sale without a Formula One car is unthinkable, and just as RM offered the iconic, ex-James Hunt,
Hesketh 308 in 2014, this year will see RM present the first car that three-time World Champion, Niki Lauda,
drove in Formula One. One of the most distinctive GP cars of the era, the 1971 March 711 was driven by
Lauda at the Austrian Grand Prix, although the car was originally built for Ronnie Peterson, who took podium
finishes in ‘711-02’ at both the Monaco and Hockenheim Grand Prix. Offered out of single-ownership since
1973, it is perceived to be one of the most significant and original pieces of Formula One history (Est.
€550.000- €650.000).
Away from the competition cars, RM’s upcoming Monaco auction features some very important pre-war grand
touring cars. No country did large, extravagant touring cars quite like the Germans during the 1930s. A
fantastic example of this is offered by the 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A, chassis no. 130941, one
of just 33 of this body style and one of just a handful equipped with the desirable 5.4-litre engine (Est.
€2.700.000 - €3.300.000). Just as Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union battled for honours in Grand Prix racing,
Horch was Mercedes’ great road-going rival during the same period. The 1932 Horch 670 Cabriolet on offer,
chassis no. 67045, is one of only five cars known to exist. Of the small known group of these incredible V-12
Horch 670s, four of the five are in institutional ownership, with this being the only example in private hands,
presenting a singular opportunity for someone wishing to purchase a 670. The featured example boasts
known UK history prior to being imported to the United States in the late 1950s (Estimate: €2.700.000 -
€3.600.000).
‘Rare’ doesn’t begin to describe a 1948 Tucker 48. Just 51 Tucker 48s were ever built, and only two remain in
Europe, of which chassis no. 1049 is one. The Tucker 48 was the only car made by well-respected
automotive industry veteran Preston Thomas Tucker. Although the marque’s demise still remains
controversial, the Tucker remains a rolling symbol of the American dream, and is still regarded as one of the
most advanced early post-war automobiles produced. The late production example slated for RM’s Monaco
podium has long-term provenance with respected enthusiast ownership to its name, including Nick Jenin,
Gene Zimmerman and Bob Bahre. Presented in period-correct Waltz Blue paintwork and offered fresh from a
restoration by its current owner, its pre-sale estimate of €1.350.000 - €1.850.000 reflects its condition and
rarity.
Held at the glamorous Le Sporting, home to some of the principality’s most prestigious events, RM Sotheby’s
exclusive biennial Monaco event will lift the gavel on approximately 100 blue-chip collector cars.
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