RM Sotheby’s will be bringing its most prominent European auction to the enchanting city of Paris for the 12th consecutive year in early 2025.
Taking place at Les Salles du Carrousel in the Palais du Louvre on the 4th and 5th of February, record-breaking sales, magnificent lineups, and an air of conviviality are a given. The stunning venue is located moments away from the Place Vendôme and Paris’ most iconic luxury shopping district, the Golden Triangle. Unfolding at the heart of the city’s action, the event promises unmatched global exposure for the cherished exhibits.
The crowning glory of this year’s extravaganza is a legacy beauty sporting a memorable ‘rosso corsa’ finish – the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM. This car holds a special place in racing history. Masterfully preserved, it is on offer from the collection of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, presenting an incredibly tempting opportunity for race car aficionados.
Read on to learn more about this Ferrari 250 LM’s fascinating history and its significance in the realm of racing.
Ferrari in the United States of America
The Ferrari 250 LM was a significant fixture in the history of the North American Racing Team (NART), a league founded and led by renowned Italian racecar driver, Luigi Chinetti. Chinetti’s journey and Ferrari’s growth in America are inextricably linked, for it was his role as Ferrari’s North American ambassador that significantly contributed to the marque’s popularity.
Chinetti trained as a mechanic in his father’s workshop before he joined Alfa Romeo at the age of 16. Here, he met Enzo Ferrari, who was a young racing driver at the time. The two young men fostered a bond that would last a lifetime, and alter the course of their respective careers.
In the 1930s, Chinetti established his prominence in the racing niche by participating in every 24 Hours of Le Mans race from 1932 to 1953 and securing wins for Alfa Romeo in 1932 and 1933. His most pivotal achievement was in 1949, when he delivered Ferrari’s first-ever Le Mans victory. With remarkable flair, he drove the iconic 166 MM for almost 23 hours of the race – this carved out Chinneti’s space in motorsport history and demonstrated Ferrari’s extraordinary mettle.
Chinetti became an American citizen in 1950, having emigrated to the country after World War II, and was the earliest North American importer for Ferrari. Initially operating out of New York, he eventually moved to Greenwich, Connecticut. His dealership beautifully captured Ferrari’s unique allure, as his influence extended far beyond sales – after all, he was an esteemed maestro of the racing craft. These milestones eventually led to Chinneti founding NART in 1957, which became a crucial partner in Scuderia Ferrari’s operations, effectively earning the brand precious World Championship points in North America.
NART garnered tremendous success by competing in several notable races, including the 24 Hours of Daytona, the United States Grand Prix, and even Le Mans. Over the course of 25 years, the team showcased a record 70 Ferraris at the Le Mans races, more than any other team besides Scuderia Ferrari itself. The crown jewel of these impressive models was none other than the Ferrari 250 LM.
A Le Mans Star
Unveiled at the 1963 Paris Salon, the 250 LM represented a seismic revolution in Ferrari’s engineering. Designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti, it was the first-ever Ferrari GT to have a mid-engine layout, a configuration that showed immense promise in Ferrari’s Formula 1 cars. Performance was optimised to its highest potential by pairing advanced aerodynamics with a powerful V12 engine. Significantly still, the engine was updated from a 3.0-litre model to a 3.3-litre one.
Notwithstanding its capabilities, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) refused to approve it as a GT-class car and categorised it as a prototype, thereby restricting its opportunities in the racing arena. A discontented Enzo Ferrari passed the car on to private owners like NART, who recognised its potential.
In 1956, the 250 LM took the racing world by storm with its staggering victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Fielded by NART, the car was driven by American Masten Gregory and Austrian Jochen Rindt. It outperformed much more modernised prototypes, including entries by Ford and even Ferrari’s own team. While mechanical difficulties weighed down other cars, the NART 250 LM (chassis number 5893) topped the leaderboard by securing a five-lap victory, followed by yet another 250 LM.
This success was noteworthy on several counts. It was not only the first time a privateer-entered Ferrari had won the Le Mans but also marked Ferrari’s sixth consecutive win at the prestigious race. Interestingly, this would be Ferrari’s last overall win at Le Mans for 58 years, a spell broken by the 499P in 2023.
A Glorious Career
Chassis 5893’s historic win at the 1956 Le Mans marked the beginning of a highly illustrious racing career. In 1966, the car competed at the inaugural 24 Hours of Daytona and came in 9th place overall. 1968 proved to be a difficult year for the 250 LM, as it was retired in two consecutive races due to accidents. However, it proved to be incredibly resilient, as it returned to the 1969 Le Mans and secured an impressive 8th place overall – a momentous achievement for a five-year-old race car.
The 250 LM had a memorable send-off in the 1970 24 Hours of Daytona, where it climbed from a 44th-place start to a 7th-place overall finish – this performance in particular established its legacy as one of Ferrari’s most eminent race cars.
250 LM’s Enduring Legacy
The Ferrari 250 LM is a class apart in the legion of racing greats. With only 32 units ever manufactured, it is indeed a rare treasure.
The 250 LM’s journey is deeply inspiring. Unhindered by trials and tribulations, it is a shining symbol of the golden age of endurance racing. The car embodies Ferrari’s steadfast commitment to innovation and sheer brilliance. It also speaks to Chinetti’s brave determination at a time when factory-backed giants reigned supreme. Besides its storied career, the 250 LM is lauded for its elegant design and state-of-the-art engineering. Chassis 5893, in particular, remains a paragon of perseverance, having defied all odds stacked against its favour.
After its final race in April 1970, the 250 LM was sold to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, where it has been carefully preserved for 54 years. It is the crowning glory of the museum’s breathtaking collection and has been showcased in countless motor shows and major events.
The car has its bona fide parts, including its engine and gearbox. It is being sold with copies of ownership documents belonging to Luigi Chinetti, paperwork of all the Le Mans races it participated in, and purchase records from the museum.
