IMS Museum Partners with RM Sotheby's
RM Sotheby’s has been selected by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum as their partner to assist in selling some truly remarkable exhibits from the IMS Museum. The lots set to be offered for sale are remarkable examples of automotive history that will undoubtedly form the cornerstones of major collections in the coming years.
In total RM Sotheby’s will sell 11 cars from the collection of the IMS Museum that, although stunning and significant in their own ways, don’t relate directly to the Indianapolis 500. The proceeds from these sales will help strengthen the IMS Museum’s endowment, providing long-term financial security as well as affording the opportunity to further expand the museum’s collection.
Race-proven and race-winning cars will be offered in what is likely to be a once in a lifetime opportunity for interested collectors. These include a 1966 Ford GT40 MkII that competed at Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966, as well as a Benetton Formula 1 car from 1991, and even Craig Breedlove’s Spirit of America land speed record-setting car.
Race Proven Cars
A 1964 Ferrari 250 LM that entered Le Mans three times, taking the overall victory in 1965 will be on offer. This was the most recent Ferrari to take overall honors at Le Mans until the introduction of the latest regulations and the Ferrari 499P in 2023. It’s been in the IMS Museum’s collection since 1972.
1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 Streamliner ‘Monza’
Arguably the most significant, and certainly the most valuable car set to be offered from the IMS Museum is the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 Streamliner ‘Monza’ that was driven by legends Juan Manuel Fangio and Sir Stirling Moss.
This car started its life as an open wheel model, later being equipped with the Streamliner bodywork that it wore when raced by Moss at the 1955 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. During that race it set the fastest lap. Following that it was used by Mercedes-Benz as a practice and test car before it was donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway directly from the factory in 1965. This car’s estimate from RM Sotheby’s is $50,000,000 – $70,000,000.
Both the Ferrari 250 LM and the Mercedes-Benz W196 are on display in Monterey during the lead up to RM Sotheby’s auction this week. The sales of these cars and the other 8 being offered from the IMS Museum are set to begin later this year and continue through 2025 with more information to follow.