From next week, all eyes in the classic car world will be on the Monterey Peninsula for both the large number of world class events organised in the area, and the various auctions, where some of the most spectacular machines are expected to change hands. As a warm up to the packed week, we have today taken a closer look at two of of these striking machines that will be offered by RM Auctions in their annual Monterey Sale on August 17 and 18.
Most famous of all is a Ford GT40 Mk I Gulf, which was used by John Wyer's JW Automotive team during the 1968 and 1969 season with great success. The four cars built to this specification were actually based on the original small-block GT40 after a rule change had left the larger-engined variants illegal. Among the many successes scored by the Gulf-liveried machines were back-to-back outright wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car offered by RM Auctions was the first of the four built, which took a win in the World Championship round at Brands Hatch. It was later also used as a camera car for the Steve McQueen movie 'Le Mans'. It has since been restored to its 1968-specification. No estimate is listed in the catalog but we expect it to change hands for over $5 million. In addition to chassis 1074, we have also added images and histories of the other three cars, including the double Le Mans winner. The end result is a 24-shot gallery of these particularly attractive and successful GT40s.
Even more fluorescent is the STP livery used on the Porsche 917/10 to be offered by RM a day later. This particular car was one of two Can-Am specification 917s built and raced in 1971. Although still powered by a naturally aspirated 12-cylinder engine, these 917/10s would form the basis for the 'Turbo Panzer' that would take Can-Am by storm in 1972 and 1973. Chassis 002 was originally raced successfully by the talented and highly versatile Jo Siffert, who sadly crashed fatally later that same year. In 1972, it was used by Willi Kauhsen in the Interserie first with the naturally aspirated engine and later with the more powerful turbo. The car was retired after a big crash and as can be seen in our 12-shot gallery was ultimately restored to its original, STP livery. RM's estimate for this striking machine is $2.9 - $3.5 million.
Enjoy the links:
1968 - 1969 Ford GT40 Mk I Gulf - Images, Specifications and Information
1971 Porsche 917/10 - Images, Specifications and Information
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