To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Paris event, 6 February
2019.
Estimate:
€4.500.000 - €5.500.000
- The most iconic and recognizable F40 LM
- One of 19 constructed by Michelotto to either F40 LM or F40
Competizione specification
- A two-time participant at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995 and
1996, 12th overall in 1995
- Winner of the 1995 Anderstorp 4 Hours, and with multiple
finishes in the 1995 and 1996 BPR Global GT series
- The third F40 constructed, used extensively by the factory as a
pre-production prototype
In 1987, Ferrari celebrated their 40th anniversary, and to mark the
occasion launched arguably their most uncompromising road car ever
- the twin-turbocharged 471-bhp, 201-mph F40. Borrowing heavily
from technology developed for the still-born Group B 288 GTO
Evoluzione programme, it was no surprise when the evocatively named
F40 LM finally hit the track in 1989 - albeit at the behest of the
French Ferrari importer Charles Pozzi rather than the factory
itself.
Developed by Michelotto, the F40 LM benefitted from enlarged twin
IHI turbocharger/ intercooler units and advanced Weber-Marelli fuel
injection, which increased power to over 700 bhp. A corresponding
reduction in weight to just 1,050 kg resulted in predictably
awesome performance, whilst the car also featured extensive chassis
stiffening, race-specification transmission, uprated brakes and
extensively modified bodywork.
This particular example - chassis no. 74045 - has a fascinating and
illustrious history. Originally used as a pre-production prototype
by the factory, it was sold to former Le Mans and IMSA driver Rene
Herzog in early 1992. Herzog sent the car to Michelotto for
conversion to LM specification, although shortly after its
completion ownership passed to his fellow Swiss Charles Zuger. In
1995, the car was sold to GT Racing impresario Stephane Ratel who
raced it in the European GT Championship of that year, but in turn
sold the car mid-season to the French Pilot-Aldix team for use in
the BPR Global GT Series of that year.
Driven by the all-French pairing of Michel Ferte and Olivier
Thevenin, the car's top-line career started inauspiciously with
retirements in each of the first four rounds of the series at Paul
Ricard, Monza, Jarama and N�rburgring. However, by Le Mans
pre-qualifying in April - and with 74045 now patriotically
re-painted in French Racing Blue - fortunes had improved markedly,
with the team leaving the Sarthe circuit an encouraging fifth
fastest overall, and fastest of all the GT1 runners.
A little over six weeks later - and with their line-up bolstered by
third driver Carlos Palau - the team qualified an excellent 7th for
the 24 Hours of Le Mans itself, and 2nd in GT1 ahead of all seven
of the hitherto pace-setting McLaren F1 GTRs. The race was blighted
by wet conditions which played to the McLaren's strengths, but
nevertheless 74045 finished a respectable 12th overall and sixth in
GT1. Significantly, this would prove to be the best result ever
achieved by an F40 at Le Mans.
A fortnight later, Ferte and Thevenin took pole position for the
Anderstorp Four Hours and followed this up with an emphatic win
ahead of the McLarens of Nielsen/Bscher and Raphanel/Owen-Jones. A
mixed end to the season saw retirements in both the Suzuka 1000 KM
(electrics) and the Zhuhai Three Hours (gearbox), but also a highly
creditable 2nd place finish in the Silverstone Foour Hours behind
the Harrods-sponsored McLaren of Wallace/ Grouillard.
For 1996, the driver line-up was retained, the car uprated with a
GTE-specification rear wing and a similar assault on the BPR series
planned to that of the previous year. Over the balance of the
season, it was clear that the Italian Ennea squad had overtaken
their French counterparts as top Ferrari team, with a 5th place at
Jarama, 8th at Silverstone, 6th at the N�rburgring and a 3rd place
at Nogaro, the highpoints of an otherwise trying year for Pilot,
which included a DNF following a front-end collission at Paul
Richard. At Le Mans, Ferte and Thevenin were joined by French
journeyman Nicolas Leboissetier, although the proliferation of new
breed WSC cars - not to mention the inclusion of Porsche's
controversial 911 GT1 - ensured that they would qualify no higher
than 25th, prior to retirement in the race.
Following the conclusion of the car's contemporary racing career at
the end of the 1996 season, it passed through the ownership of
several prominent collectors, prior to its acquisition by the
current owner in 2008. It is important to note that the car was
freshly serviced last year and today remains on the button to
participate in vintage racing events, namely the new official
Ferrari program, Club GT Competizioni. Adding to its overall
desirability, the car is offered with its original gearbox and a
set of spare wheels. Given the paucity of factory-blessed Sports
Racing and GT racing Ferraris in recent decades, 74045 - especially
given its top-level racing history - is surely a 'must have' for
any serious Ferrari or competition car collector.
Resplendent in the livery worn on its competitive swansong at
Nogaro in 1996, it also represents a highly attractive and hugely
charismatic entry for the European-based Masters Endurance Legends
and Global Endurance Legends series, not to mention the burgeoning
HSR and Daytona 24 Hour Classic events stateside.
Having enjoyed a thrilling competition career, including two
outings at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, chassis no. 74045 is without
doubt the most significant F40 LM and amongst the most significant
privateer-campaigned Ferrari racing cars. It would warrant pride of
place in any of the most prestigious Ferrari collections around the
globe. It is a car that its next owner can enjoy at a multitude of
historic racing events and one that would surely be welcomed at any
of the finest concours events worldwide. To view this car and
others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM
website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/pa19.