Race Winning Le Mans Car, Rare Ferraris and Louis Chiron’s Personal Car to be Offered in Monaco

1973 Ferrari Daytona Spider, 1988 Works Jaguar XJR-9, and 1947 Delahaye 135 MS Sport Coupé to be offered in Monaco alongside other world-class automobiles

  • Additional lots added to Monaco sale with most desirable road-going Ferrari and Works Jaguar XJR-9 to cross the block
  • 1947 Delahaye 135 MS Sport Coupé built for and owned by renowned Bugatti driver, Louis Chiron, to join Monaco lineup

LONDON, ENGLAND – April 11, 2022 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – RM Sotheby’s adds additional highlights to Monaco sale taking place on 14 May with the most desirable Ferrari for its era and Works Jaguar XJR-9 set to go under the hammer.

Without a doubt, the 365 GTS/4 Spider holds a unique cachet among Ferrari’s vintage front-engine V-12 roadsters, combining rarity and beautiful design. Considered by many to be the most desirable road-going Ferrari of its era, and unquestionably one of the greatest Ferrari ‘Spider’ designs, this 1973 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider by Scaglietti is the 90th of the mere 121 spiders built and the 65th example of 96 cars specified for retail in the U.S. It is believed to be one of just 16 examples sold in the U.S. wearing the striking combination of Giallo Fly and upholstered in Nero vaumol leather. Retaining its original engine and gearbox, this Ferrari Classiche certified example will cross the block with an estimate of €2,000,000 – €2,200,000.

220411 1988 Jaguar XJR-9 - RM Sotheby's
1988 Jaguar XJR-9 (Tim Scott ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s)

Joining the Ferrari is the 1988 Jaguar XJR-9, chassis 388, which won the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1990. Poised to cross the auction podium at RM’s highly anticipated Monaco sale, 14 May, chassis no. 388 is the third of just three cars constructed for the 1988 IMSA GT Championship, run by Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR), and the only remaining example of just two XJR-9 chassis ever manufactured as purpose-built IMSA-specification cars. Prior to its most famous victory in 1990, chassis 388 enjoyed two highly successful seasons in 1988 and 1989. In 1988, predominantly in the hands of Davy Jones and Jan Lammers, the car achieved four podium finishes and never finished a race outside of the top seven, a superb achievement that helped the Jaguar team secure third place in the IMSA constructor’s championship, stamping its authority in both IMSA and Group C racing. During the 1989 season, chassis 388 was an equally strong contender, achieving three front-row starts including a pole position, four second row starts, and eight overall podium finishes. The ‘89 season saw Price Cobb and John Nielsen join the car’s driver roster, leading it to a remarkable record that saw it finish on the podium for two-thirds of all the races it competed in.

By the start of the 1990 season, chassis 388 was fully developed into XJR-12 specification and went on to famously win the season’s headline event, the 24 Hours of Daytona, in the hands of Davy Jones, Jan Lammers, and Andy Wallace. The victory was an unquestionable high point in Jaguar’s illustrious endurance racing history, especially after having finished second overall with this car at Daytona in 1989. Chassis no. 388 also secured a podium finish at Sebring in 1990 (Estimate: €1,900,000 ­– €2,400,000).

With its slick silhouette and flowing design lines penned by Pininfarina, it could be argued that the Ferrari 456 GT has aged so well that it would hardly look out of place parked alongside much newer cars wearing the Prancing Horse badge. For a Ferrari model to have such a strong connection with Pininfarina, it is fitting that this 1995 Ferrari 456 GT was sold directly by the factory to Sergio Pininfarina. It will go to its new owner with less than 27,000 km, a leather folio containing selected Ferrari manuals, and two pieces of luggage (Estimate:€90,000 – €120,000).

220411 1947 Delahaye 135 MS Sport Coupé by Chapron - RM Sotheby's
1947 Delahaye 135 MS Sport Coupé by Chapron (Dirk De Jager ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s)

Another notable lot is the 1947 Delahaye 135 MS Sport Coupé by Chapron. Specifically built for and owned by renowned Bugatti driver, Louis Chiron, this elegant post-war example is bodied by Henri Chapron and will cross the block accompanied by correspondence between Chiron and Chapron. Towards the end of the current owner’s five decade ownership, this example was subject to an extensive nut-and-bolt restoration by Delahaye expert Paillet in 2012. The body and chassis were split, and the restoration began from the ground up. The wooden Chapron framework was replaced, and then reassembled, while a new red leather interior was fitted and the car was painted in a dark metallic blue with silver accents. This Delahaye represents an exciting chance to acquire a beautiful French coachbuilt classic with fascinating ownership history and an impressive history file (Estimate: €325,000 – €375,000).

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Source: RM Sotheby’s

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