RM Sotheby’s announces unique Ferrari 166 MM Spider raced in 1953/54 Mille Miglia and featured in Kirk Douglas film The Racers for annual Paris sale, 7 February · Auction held during world-famous Rétromobile week features 84 vehicles, including very rare riveted Iso Grifo A3/C formerly owned by the late, beloved Johnny Hallyday · RM Sotheby’s Paris digital catalogue now available at www.rmsothebys.com

LONDON (9 January 2018) – RM Sotheby’s is delighted to announce final featured entries for its fifth annual Paris sale, 7 February at Place Vauban during Rétromobile week. The 84 vehicles on offer are led by a supremely original 1953 Ferrari 166 MM Spider, chassis no. 0272 M.

The fifth of 13 166 MMs built for 1953, the car on offer features unique spider coachwork, though its specific builder remains a mystery. Most historians believe that it was designed by Aurelio Lampredi and is thought to have been built by Ferrari itself. One of 0272 M’s earliest track outings was at the 1953 Mille Miglia, with original owner Dr. Alberico Cacciari and R.H. Bill Mason—father of Pink Floyd drummer and noted Ferrari collector Nick Mason—at the helm. During this time, the car was also used in the production of the 1953 Shell movie about the Mille Miglia, directed by Bill Mason himself.

Raced in numerous events across Italy throughout the 1953 season, the car was campaigned once again in the 1954 Mille Miglia by Emmanuel de Graffenried and G. Parravicini. While entered under the Scuderia Ferrari name, the 166 was used exclusively by MGM Studios for its movie The Racers starring Kirk Douglas, with the two pilots acting as stuntmen for the film. Following the race, the car was exported to California to continue filming, after which it was raced and shown frequently throughout the U.S. West Coast, including at the Monterey Historics and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, as well as at the Cavallino Classic. In more recent years, the car has participated in numerous events, including the Mille Miglia Storica, Le Belle Macchine d’Italia, and the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. The 166 MM is offered at RM Sotheby’s Paris sale retaining its original mechanical components, including frame, engine, gearbox, rear axle, steering box, and all carburettors, as well as most of its original bodywork. With a fascinating history, 0272 M would be an exceptional acquisition to show, drive and enjoy at the world’s most prestigious concours and vintage racing events (Est. €3.700.000 - €4.500.000).

“A 166 MM is truly a joy to drive - smooth and with plenty of horsepower on tap channeled through its might V-12 and five-speed gearbox,” comments Augustin Sabatié-Garat, Auction Manager, RM Sotheby’s Europe. “The reliability of this particular early Ferrari racer is clearly demonstrated by its long and continuous competition history and incredible originality, further set off by its unique coachwork and Hollywood connection.”

The Paris sale is also set to feature the eighth of just 10 riveted Iso Grifo A3/Cs built for 1964, chassis no. B 0209. Bred with endurance racing in mind (A3/Cs won their class at Le Mans in 1964 and 1965), the example offered in Paris is one of the very desirable ‘riveted’ A3/Cs, made by Carrozzeria Sports Cars of Piero Drogo in Modena. The bodies were made in ‘avional’, a special alloy of aluminum, copper and magnesium that is very light and elastic but difficult to weld, meaning it needed to be riveted in a fashion similar to an airplane.

Finished in dark red over black leather seats, the A3/C was delivered to its first French owner in November 1964 and was quickly sold to Paris resident Jean-Phillippe Smet, better known as none other than the late musician Johnny Hallyday. Beloved throughout France, Hallyday is pictured in and around the car in Paris in late 1964 and early 1965. Following Hallyday’s ownership, the Iso spent significant time in long term ownership, including 24 years in Prince Pierre Sangusko’s castle, and more than 15 years in Michel Hommell’s Manoir de l’Automobile museum in Lohéac, France. It has since been displayed at the 2017 Chantilly Concours, where it garnered the ‘Special Award’ within the Great Musicians’ Cars class, and it comes to Paris with less than 27,000 km covered and having spent its entire life in France (Est. €2.500.000 - €3.000.000).

Sabatié-Garat adds: “The offering of a riveted Iso Grifo A3/C is extraordinarily rare in its own right. Add to that its exceptional French provenance and former ownership by the late, and much loved, Johnny Hallyday, and you have a once-in-a-generation opportunity for collectors. We’re tremendously honoured to bring an important car owned by such a cherished French icon to public auction for the very first time.”