Hammer down

Racers that are going, going, gone…

Sothebys much-hyped Ferrari sale at Maranello in June saw a world record price for an F1 car at auction when one of the F2004s raced by Michael Schumacher last year reached €2,760,000 (not including buyer’s premium). Equally remarkable was the €1,897,500 bid for a 1940 Maserati 8CL, a record price for an Indy 500 racer at auction. Among the 72 (of 116) lots to sell, further highlights included the ex-Froilán González Ferrari 212 Inter sportscar that reached €483,000 and a gorgeous Maserati 4CL Monoposto at €425,000. Sotheby’s CEO Bill Ruprecht said: “(The auction) represented a unique assembly of some of the world’s greatest cars, which ranged from historic racing cars to some of the finest, fastest modern sportscars ever to have been produced.”

***

Faring less well was the Christies’ Exceptional Motor Cars & Automobilia sale: the ex-Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar C-type, driven in period by Ian Stewart and Ninian Sanderson, failed to reach its €1.800.000 estimate.

***

Up to 15 MG and BMC competition cars are to go on the block at the Transport Collector Auction sale at Silverstone on July 23. Among them is an ex-works 1934 MG Midget. This supercharged machine, as campaigned in period by Jack Bastock, once formed part of the ‘Cream Cracker’ triumvirate of trials cars. It is expected to reach £50,000. In the same sale is the Paddy Hopkirk /Henry Liddon/Raymond Baxter ex-works Mini Cooper S – 8 EMO –  although no estimate has been released as yet. More details on 020 8940 2022.