RACING CARS OLD AND NEW STORM THE BONHAMS GRAND PALAIS SALE

RACING CARS OLD AND NEW STORM THE BONHAMS GRAND PALAIS SALE

On 7 February, Bonhams Grand Palais sale will offer an impressive range of classic and modern racing and sports cars, ranging from 1930’s Mille Miglia competitors from Scuderia Ferrari to the ex-Pikes Peak 1997 Ruf Porsche CTR2 Sport Prototype.

One of the indubitable highlights of the sale is the 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 4^th Series Supercharged Gran Sport Spider (€1,200,000-1,600,000) that was driven by Luigi Scarfiotti for Scuderia Ferrari during the 1930 Mille Miglia. Scarfiotti wanted a motor car that would be as at home in a grueling race as it would be at local political parades – the elegant yet sporty Alfa was the perfect choice.

An offering of a similar vintage is the 1928 Bugatti Type 43 Grand Sport Tourer (€1,250,000-1,450,000) that was originally owned by Crown Prince Leopold of Belgium. It is one of just 160 examples from the Molsheim factory, is Mille Miglia-eligible and was in single-family ownership for 85 years. 

For many years one of the fastest production vehicles in existence, the 1997 Porsche Ruf CTR2 (€1,300,000-1,600,000) is truly a sight to behold. Blisteringly fast, it is capable of reaching 69mph in under 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 220mph thanks to its 702bhp engine (the most powerful CTR2 example). It outperformed the Ferrari F50, Jaguar’s XJ220 and equaled the astonishing Nissan R390 GT1. Rare, exotic and dazzlingly powerful - for a glimpse of the Ruf in action, watch this.

Mille Miglia entrants abound in the sale - the 1956 Porsche 356A Carrera GS/GT Coupé (€420,000-560,000) has taken part no fewer than four times between 1987 and 2012. It is fitted with the ultra-rare 692/0 Carrera GT engine, one of approximately 20 built. This race-ready Porsche has taken part in some of the most prestigious rallies in the world and is ready to take on many more.

The 1969 Abarth 1300 Sport Spider SE010 ‘Quattro Fari’ Sports Racing Prototype (€600,000-750,000) is one of the most iconic cars from Abarth. A class winner at the 1000km Monza in 1971 and highly eligible, it has been restored and returned to road and track under its current owner.

Other highlights include:

• 1966 Lola T70 Mk2 Spyder (€300,000-400,000)
• 1938 Alvis 4.3-Litre Short Chassis Tourer (€€425,000-475,000) One of only 12 produced, raced at Brooklands and was used as a test car by The Autocar
• 1964 Sunbeam Tiger Works Rally Car (€200,000-300,000) is one of only five surviving works Sunbeam Tiger rally cars.
• The ex-Toyota Team Europe, 1993 Toyota Celica ST185 Turbo 4WD Group A Rally Car(€190,000-230,000), winner of the 1994 San Remo Rally