RM Sotheby’s is delighted to announce an all-new, exclusive sale of 25-30 exceptional automobiles, to be offered in Milan on 15 June 2021 at Sotheby’s Milan’s historic location, Palazzo Serbelloni.
- RM Sotheby’s announces new, exclusive sale to take place in Milan, conducted in association with Sotheby’s Milan, at the stunning Palazzo Serbelloni on 15 June
- The sale will be live streamed and allow for limited preview attendance within the courtyard at Palazzo Serbelloni
- Star early consignment is an historically important 1980 Lancia 037 Prototype
- The sale will offer an expertly curated selection of approximately 25-30 significant automobiles
- Additional information available at rmsothebys.com
The auction will be conducted as a livestreamed sale from within the Palazzo with the cars displayed within the venue’s courtyard setting. There will be a full day preview on Monday, 14 and the morning of 15 June, available to a limited number of bidders by appointment only.
An early star highlight of the sale is an incredible and historically significant 1980 Lancia 037 Prototype, the very first Lancia Rally 037 produced and originally owned by Abarth. After Lancia’s rallying success in the 1970s, first with the Fulvia and later with the Stratos, a car which secured three consecutive World Rally Championship titles, 1980 saw the company move into the development of an all-new contender, the car which was to become known as the 037 and the last rear wheel drive car to win the World Rally Championship.
The car to be offered in the Milan sale is chassis SE037-001, the first prototype for the legendary Lancia Rally ‘037’ which was commissioned to be constructed by the successful Italian race car constructor, Dallara, before final assembly and development at the Abarth factory, overseen by Sergio Limone.
Once completed, chassis SE037-001 undertook extensive testing duties both on track and in the wind tunnel, and was driven extensively by the likes of Markku Alen, Adartico Vudafieri and Giorgio Pianta. By 1982, the car was resplendent in the full Martini racing livery and it famously served as a Recce car in that year’s Acropolis Rally. When it’s official duties were over, the car passed into the private ownership of Sergio Limone, who undertook a meticulous restoration, returning this important car to its original development specification, including the correct specification 1,995 cc supercharged engine.
Offered in exceptional condition and fully authenticated and certified by FIVA and the Lancia Club of Italy, this car has unrivalled provenance and is unquestionably the car that ultimately created one of the finest rally cars in history (Estimate: €700,000-€900,000).
Augustin Sabatié-Garat, Head of Sales, RM Sotheby’s Europe, says: “This Milan sale is an exciting addition to our 2021 European sale calendar. The week in question will see many of Europe’s collectors in the region for the start of the Mille Miglia, and our sale will allow for limited preview opportunities. We are delighted to be working with our colleagues at Sotheby’s Milan and for the cooperation of Palazzo Serbelloni for the provision of the stunning location. To have also consigned one of the most significant Lancia rally cars of all time, the prototype that developed the all-conquering 037 rally car, is sure to make this sale one of the highlights of the upcoming 2021 sale calendar”.
Another exclusive sale is the 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso by Scaglietti.
Introduced at the 1962 Paris Salon, Ferrari’s 250 GT/L was undoubtably one of the most attractive grand touring cars ever built. Intended as a replacement for the 250 GT coupe, the “L” stood for “Lusso” and featured an all-new interior arrangement highlighted by a revised dash panel and leather upholstery throughout the cabin. Built to cross continents in unrivaled style while cossetting a driver, passenger, and plenty of luggage, it looked simply stunning whilst sitting still and just as beautiful at speed.
Mechanically, Ferrari’s Tipo 168 U engine was the ultimate development of the short-block Colombo 3.0-litre V-12, featuring outside-plug ignition and single-cylinder porting that had proven so successful in the 250 Testa Rossa and California Spider. Further improvements were made to the chassis including four-wheel disc brakes, coil-over shock absorbers at all four corners of the suspension, and a rear Watts linkage that had been perfected on the 250 GTO.
Report by rmsothebys.com
