By popular demand, the Peter Auto Endurance Racing Legends grid was split in two last year with one field dedicated to several generations of the GT2 cars. Part of the most recent generation is this Ferrari F430 GTC, which was raced three times in period at Le Mans. Among its original drivers was Formula 1 design legend Adrian Newey. He shared the car at Le Mans in 2007 and finished fourth in the GT2 class. Newey clearly had fond memories of chassis 2466 as he acquired the car and debuted it in historic racing late in 2024.
One of the original GT2 cars is the appropriately dubbed Porsche 911 GT2, which have also been a popular choice in Endurance Racing Legends. The featured example was one of the very last built in 1995 and was originally raced by Jean-François Véroux. Now in German hands, we saw it in action at the Spa Classic and 24 Hours of Spa in 2024.
The latest additions to the Type 992 II generation 911 are the rear-wheel drive Carrera S Coupe and Carrera S Cabriolet. The pair is powered by a fundamentally updated version of the twin-turbo flat 6 engine, which is now good for 473 bhp. Mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the revised engine can propel the 911 Carrera S to 100 km/h in a mere 3.3 seconds.

The upcoming RM Sotheby's Paris Sale promises to be one to watch judging from the early consignments. Leading the way is the Le Mans winning Ferrari 250 LM from the Indianapolis Speedway Hall of Fame museum but there are other fabulous sports cars due to cross the block. Among them is this Ferrari 512 M, which was originally raced by the Belgian Ecurie Francorchamps. It was raced at Le Mans twice and also competed in several Can-Am rounds. Ferrari Classiche certified, chassis 1030 is estimated to sell for €9 - 12 million.
Of a slightly later vintage is this Jaguar XJR-10, which competed in the IMSA GTP championship for the better part of three seasons. Powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine, it was driven to two wins by Davy Jones. Now fully restored but not raced in recent years, 589 should sell for around €1 million.
One of our favourite consignments is this one-off Abarth 208A Boano Cabriolet. It is a more luxurious version of the more common 207A Spyder and features similar Boano styled bodywork. The four-cylinder engined Abarth was originally sold to the DuPont family and was later cherished by a single owner for over three decades. It has had just two custodians since and 005 was recently cosmetically restored under the supervision of Corrado Lopresto.

We would like to kick off the year by wishing you all the best for 2025 and by highlighting a pair of V8-engined BMW M3 racers we saw in action in 2024 and expect to see back out in the new year. The most recent of the duo is this E92-generation BMW M3 GT2. The V8-engined racer was originally developed to compete in the American Le Mans Series, it was also raced with considerable in Europe as well between 2009 and 2012. The featured example was the second chassis built and initially served as a test and development car for the VLN Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Having served its original purpose, it was subsequently also raced by BMW Team Schnitzer at the Nürburgring, scoring several podium finishes. Now back in the Team Schnitzer fold, chassis 902 was raced at the Endurance Racing Legends support race during the 24 Hours of Spa.
Also out in the 2024 Endurance Racing Legends series was this E46-generation M3 GT V8. It is one of six chassis built by BMW with PTG Racing in the United States. The first cars were powered by six-cylinder engines but chassis 004 was the first M3 racer to be fitted by a V8 engine. This was a five-litre unit derived from the E39 M5. It was raced with great success in the Grand-Am Championship through to the 2004 season.

As 2024 is winding down, we have taken a closer look at the most expensive cars sold this year at public auctions. Not surprisingly, the top three was sold during the Monterey car week. Top the chart is this Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder. Originally shown at the 1960 Geneva Motor Show, this car was the very first California Spyder built on the shortened, 2,400 mm chassis. Ferrari Classiche certified and restored to its original colour combination, chassis 1795GT found a new owner for just over $17 million at the RM Sotheby's Monterey Sale. The number three on the list also crossed the block in downtown Monterey with the Anglo-Canadian auctioneer. This was the Ferrari 410 S Scaglietti Spider that was originally owned by Tony Parravano. It was driven to a debut victory by Carroll Shelby. Since 1971, chassis 0592CM had had only three owners and the most recent custodian had a comprehensive restoration carried out. It now sold for just under $13 million.
At the official Pebble Beach Auctions Gooding sold this Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider for $14 million. One of five built, it had been owned by Oscar Davis before it was acquired by a Florida-based collection in 2022. The car was subsequently stolen during transit and was retrieved over a year later. Chassis 412027 was actually consigned to the auction by the previous owner's insurance company.

Throughout the year, we have seen many great cars but the three featured today from the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille certainly make our Christmas wish-list. From the 1980s comes the Lancia 037 Rally. The mid-engined Group B racer is a legend in its own right but the example shown at Chantilly is the only one that won two World Championship events. In addition to its works history, it was also rallied with some success Spain and only recently was restored to its Rallye San Remo livery. Presented in beautiful barn-find condition was this Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ Coda Tonda. Although built over sixty years ago, it has had only three custodians from new when it emerged from longterm hiding in the summer of 2024. It had been part of the stable of the same enthusiast for an impressive 44 years and had been beautifully preserved. Fittingly, the lovely Alfa Romeo won an award in the preservation class.
The Best of Show in the Post War category at Chantilly was this Talbot Lago T26 GS Antem Coupe. Built for a member of the board, it was equipped with many special features. Like the Alfa Romeo, it benefited from long-term ownership with the previous custodianship lasting over five decades. Since changing hands, chassis 110112 was meticulously restored by the current owner.

It promises to be a very busy start to the 2025 auction season with the Arizona sales in January followed closely by the various Paris and Amelia Island auctions in the weeks that follow. Headlining the RM Sotheby's Arizona sale is this sparkling Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France. This 'single louvre' example was commissioned by by Vladimiro Toselli with a striking gold finish. It was raced early in its life and then became part of several prominent collections. Like so many Ferraris, it was re-painted red at some point but it was fortunately re-finished in its original colours scheme more recently. Chassis 0933GT should sell for around $4 million.
A few weeks later, this Pagani Huayra R is due to cross the RM Sotheby's block in Paris. The fifth of 30 examples built, it was commissioned by a Danish enthusiast and boasts a formidable and expensive list of options. Barely used, the Huayra R has a €2.8 - 3.2 million estimate.
For their Arizona sale, Bonhams have consigned this fabulous Lamborghini Miura, which has had just three owners from new. It was one of the very first built and remained in highly original condition until it was sympathetically restored by the vendor. To become the Miura's fourth owner, expect to fork out at least $2.2 million.
Good news for hot hatch aficionados, Renault announced that the Renault 5 Turbo 3E will enter production in the near future. A nod to the mid-engined Group B homologation specials of the 1980s, the Turbo 3E will boast a very wide body kit and a pair of electric motors that will power just the rear wheels.