A highly original 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione ‘Tour de France’ is the lead car for the RM Sotheby’s Monaco 2018 classic car auction. The Ferrari is offered with a bold estimate of €7,000,000 to €9,000,000 (US $8,600,000 to $11,000,000).
RM Sotheby’s biennial Monaco classic car auctions usually offer a few special cars to the European market and the 2018 will be no exception. A 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione ‘Tour de France’ with an estimate of €7,000,000 to €9,000,000 (US $8,600,000 to $11,000,000) will be the undisputed lead car for the sale. Although raced extensively in period, the car never suffered a major accident and is very original. Modern but even rarer is a 2015 Ferrari Sergio by Pininfarina – only six street-legal cars were produced of this Geneva Auto Salon show car. The Monaco sale will also feature the Pope’s Lamborghini Huracan – sold for charitably purposes, several Formula 1 cars, and racing suits that belonged to Ayrton Senna and Steve McQueen.
RM Sotheby’s Monaco 2018 Sale
RM Sotheby’s biennial Monaco sale is scheduled for 12 May 2018 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo to coincide with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix.
At the RM Sotheby’s Monaco 2016 sale, RM Sotheby’s earned €27.5 million with the top result €7,280,000 for a 1951 Ferrari 340 America Touring Barchetta.
Million-Dollar Cars at RM Sotheby’s Monaco 2018
The following cars are on offer at the RM Sotheby’s Monaco 2018 sale with pre-auction estimates exceeding a million dollars (plus a couple of further interesting lots):
| Year | Car | Estimate (€) |
| 1957 | Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competiziome Tour de France | 7,000,000 – 9,000,000 |
| 2015 | Ferrari Sergio by Pininfarina | 2,500,000 – 3,000,000 |
| 1966 | Ferrari 275 GTB | 2,000,000 – 2,200,000 |
| 1973 | Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight | 1,400,000 – 1,800,000 |
| 1962 | Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II | 1,400,000 – 1,600,000 |
| 2015 | Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse | 1,200,000 – 1,500,000 |
| 1955 | Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America | 800,000 – 1,000,000 |
| 1957 | Ferrari 250 GT Coupé by Boano | 800,000 – 1,000,000 |
| 2018 | RUF CTR3 Clubsport | 800,000 – 900,000 |
| 1987 | Porsche 959 Komfort | 785,000 – 950,000 |
| 1999 | Lamborghini Diablo GT | 775,000 – 875,000 |
| 1954 | Fiat 8V Coupé by Vignale | 750,000 – 950,000 |
| 1992 | Benetton B192 Formula 1 | 550,000 – 750,000 |
| 2018 | Lamborghini Huracan (Pope) | 250,000 – 350,000 |
| 1999 | Jordan 199 Formule 1 | 250,000 – 350,000 |
| 1987 | Ayrton Senna Formaul 1 Racing Suit | 30,000 – 40,000 |
| 1971 | Steve McQueen Le Mans Racing Suit | 200,000 – 250,000 |
Top Ferraris at the RM Sotheby’s Monaco 2018 Sale
The three most valuable cars on offer at the RM Sotheby’s 2018 classic car auctions are all Ferraris while a further two are also expected to sell for over a million dollar:
1957 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione ‘Tour de France’
The undisputed lead car for the RM Sotheby’s Monaco 2018 sale is the 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione ‘Tour de France’ by Scaglietti, chassis # 0879 GT, estimate €7,000,000 to €9,000,000 (US $8,600,000 to $11,000,000).
This 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione ‘Tour de France’ was the 15th of 17 built in this body style with three louvers and covered headlights. It was sold new to German racing driver Wolfgang Seidel, who entered the car in more than 20 races and finished victorious in 11 smaller races or hill climbs.
In major races, Seidel’s Ferrari finished 2nd overall at the Grand Prix of Spa-Francorchamps in 1958, 4th overall at the 12 Hours of Reims in July 1958 (while co-driven by the illustrious Wolfgang von Trips), and in 1959 he finished 3rd in class at the Grand Prix de Paris at Linas-Montlhery, 5th overall at the Gran Premio della Lotteria in Monza and 4th overall (and 1st in class) at the Coupe de Paris at Linas-Montlhery.
The car had a series of short-term owners after Seidel but only two since 1974. Remarkably, the car was never crashed in Seidel’s races and thus has a very high degree of originality including the original body, chassis, engine and much of the interior.
A 20-year restoration project was completed in the late 1990s while the car was owned by Christer Mellin – the founder of the Swedish Ferrari Club. The 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione ‘Tour de France’ participated in historic races, including the Mille Miglia Storica in 1999 but seemed to have led a quiet life since the year 2000.
The estimate of €7 to €9 million is slightly above results achieved for Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione ‘Tour de France’ cars at auctions in recent years. Furthermore, thus far in 2018 lead cars had mostly failed to sell at top auctions: at Scottsdale 2018 both RM Sotheby’s and Gooding failed to sell their Jaguar D-Types, the Le Mans-winning 1963 Ferrari 275 P failed to even reach the auction floor at Artcurial Paris Rétromobile 2018 and at Amelia Island bidding for the 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.1 Turbo also failed to reach the reserve margin.
2015 Ferrari Sergio by Pininfarina
The 2015 Ferrari Sergio by Pininfarina, estimate €2,500,000 to €3,000,000, is one of only six cars built. The Sergio was first shown at the Geneva Auto Show in 2013 with this particular car shown at the same event two years later, as the first of six cars produced by Ferrari and Pininfarina for special clients. The car is based on the Ferrari 458 Spider and fully road legal. This Ferrari Sergio has covered only 200 km since new.
1966 Ferrari 275 GTB
The 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB, estimate €2,000,000 to €2,200,000, is one of 88 long-nose, steel body cars built, which are actually rarer than the more desirable alloy-bodied cars.
The 275 GTB was restored to concourse condition in 2005 and has covered 31,000 km according to the odometer. The estimate is in line with recent auction results for the model.
1962 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II, estimate €1,400,000 to €1,800,000, was the 172nd of 200 cars produced. It was restored and Ferrari Classiche certified in 2013. In 2014 and 2015, Series II Cabriolets achieved results above $2 million but prices have been softer at recent auctions.
1957 Ferrari 250 GT Coupé by Boano
The 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Coupé by Boano, estimate €800,000 to €1,000,000, is one of 74 “Low Roof” coupés made by Boano from a Pinin Farina design.
This 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Coupé by Boano was cosmetically restored in 2012 and refinished in pale silver-blue metallic over a tan interior. It is Ferrari Classiche certified and has its original gearbox and engine that received a rebuilt in 2017.
Other Million-Dollar Cars at RM Sotheby’s Monaco 2018
1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight
The top Porsche on offer at the RM Sotheby’s Monaco 2018 sales is a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight, estimate €1,400,000 to €1,800,000. The car has been driven well over 60,000 km since new.
The 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight was factory built for Finnish racing and rally driver Leo Kinnunen and thus has a few special features only true marque specialists would notice: one of only two 2.7 RS coupés built with ST wheel arches and the only 1973 model with a factory equipped 1974 Carrera 3.0 RS rear spoiler.
A 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort will also be offered in the sale. It was the 67th car produced and covered just less 50,000 km since new. Service invoices exceeding €60,000 during the past five years confirm that ownership of a 959 requires more funds than just the purchasing price.
2018 RUF CTR3 Clubsport
At first glance, the 2018 RUF CTR3 Clubsport, estimate €800,000 to €900,000, is every bit the Porsche that RUF is famous for customizing. However, in contrast to most cars improved by RUF, this Clubsport has the underpinning developed by Multimatic similar to the recent Le Mans participating Ford GTs. The 777-hp engine is pure Porsche, as is the overall look. RUF built fewer than 30 of the CTR3 cars and only seven are in in Clubsport specification.
2015 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse
The 2015 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse, estimate €1,200,000 to €1,500,000, is one of only 92 cars built of the final incarnation of the Veyron. It has several unique details, as is often the case with these cars. It has covered only 840 km – most of it during factory testing.
The estimate is towards the lower end of recent results – perhaps reflecting that a nearly new, hardly used Bugatti should be a Chiron to really impress.
Further Lots Worth Watching at RM Sotheby’s Monaco 2018
A few interesting lots worth watching at the RM Sotheby’s Monaco 2018 auction include:
The Pope’s 2018 Lamborghini Huracan
A 2018 Lamborghini Huracan, €250,000 to €350,000, donated by Lamborghini to Pope Francis will be sold for charity. The Pope did not drive the car but he did sign the bonnet of the Lamborghini. A regular Huracan retails for around €200,00 before any options are added.
RM Sotheby’s previously sold the 2005 Ferrari Enzo that was originally gifted to Pope John Paul II for €6,050,000 at is 2015 Monterey sale – six times what the car fetched in its original charity auction.
Formula 1 Cars at RM Sotheby’s Monaco 2018
Two Formula 1 racing cars will be on offer at RM Sotheby’s Monaco 2018 sale:
The more valuable is the 1992 Benetton B192 Formula 1 car, estimate €550,000 to €750,000, that was driven to second place at the 1992 Spanish GP by Michael Schumacher. It was the spare car for the San Marino and Monaco grand prix. It is finished in the original yellow and green Camel livery.
The 1999 Jordan 199 Formula 1, estimate €250,000 to €350,000, was raced by Heinz-Harald Frentzen to second place at the Australia GP and third at the Brazil GP in 1999. The car is substantially complete and fitted with an original specification Mugen-Honda engine.
The more interesting Formula 1 racing cars will be on offer at the Bonhams Monaco sale and include the Monaco-winning McLaren driven by Ayrton Senna, the Toleman-Hart that Senna drove in his debut grand prix and a Ferrari F1 87/88C.
Two notable racing suits are also going on sale at the RM Sotheby’s Monaco 2018 auction. Racing suits usually sell for €1000 to €10,000 but Ayrton Senna is involved so his Camel Lotus Formula 1 Racing suit from 1987 has an estimate of €30,000 to €40,000.
Even bigger than Senna in terms of automobilia celebrity values is Steve McQueen. A racing suit that McQueen wore during the filming of Le Mans is offered with an estimate of €200,000 to €250,000. One of the Porsche 917Ks used in the filming of “Le Mans” holds the marque record ($14,080,000) rather than the 1982 Porsche 956 that won Le Mans in 1983 ($10,120,000).
Monaco Historic Grand Prix Week Classic Car Auctions
Auction Results
- 2018 Bonhams Monaco Classic Car Auction Sale Results
- 2018 RM Sotheby’s Monaco Classic Car Auction Sale Results
Auction Previews:
Pre-Sale Announcements:
Bonhams:
- Senna’s Monaco Race Winning 1993 McLaren F1 – Senna’s sixth and final Monaco Grand Prix race-winning car
- Senna’s 1984 Toleman-Hart F1 Racer – raced to a superb second place at his debut Monaco race
- Withdrawn: 1957 BMW 507 Roadster Series II – the BMW of King Constantine II, the last king of Greece
- 1953 Ferrari 625 Targa Florio – ex-works two-seat spider raced by Mike Hawthorn and Umberto Maglioli
RM Sotheby’s:
Fun tours and adventures to do in the Monaco region:
