- RM Sotheby's Monaco auction is set to be one of the biggest yet, with a huge 58 vehicle offering.
- Headlining the auction is a collection of F1 cars, including the first one Ayrton Senna raced in.
- The auction has a staggering low estimated value of NZ$174 million.
A prestigious collection of historic Formula One machinery is set to headline RM Sotheby’s upcoming auction at the Grimaldi Forum on 25 April in Monaco.
This year’s event features a momentous 58-vehicle offering with a staggering cumulative low estimate of €87 million (NZ$174 million). Among the most anticipated lots is a quartet of Grand Prix racers, with two Ferraris, a Toleman, and a Fittipaldi expected to command more than €10 million (NZ$20 million).
1978 Ferrari 312 T3
Leading the F1 offerings is a 1978 Ferrari 312 T3 that is estimated to sell for between €4.5 million and €5.5 million (NZ$9 million to $NZ11 million). A Mauro Forghieri design that is one of only five chassis built for the 1978 season, this 312 T3 was piloted by 12-time Grand Prix winner Carlos Reutemann in four rounds that year and was later driven by the legendary Gilles Villeneuve at the 1979 Argentinian Grand Prix. The car was awarded Ferrari Classiche certification in 2025.
1991 Ferrari 642
Equally rare is a 1991 Ferrari 642 with an estimate of €3 million to €4 million (NZ$6 million to NZ$8 million). Widely considered to be one of the most aesthetically striking Grand Prix cars of its time, its 3.5-litre V12 engine eventually served as the foundation for the engine used in the Ferrari F50 road car. This particular 642 - chassis 125 - is one of only five built for the 1991 season and served as a spare for Alain Prost and Jean Alesi and is offered with a complete support package including spare tyres, jacks, and tire blankets, making it a turnkey entry for the F1 Clienti programme.
1984 Toleman TG183B
For many collectors, the 1984 Toleman TG183B with an estimate of €2.8 million to €3.8 million (NZ$5.6 million to NZ$7.6 million) represents a pivotal moment in racing history, as it provided Brazilian icon Ayrton Senna with his first-ever seat in Formula One. Raced exclusively by Senna, including his debut home Grand Prix in Brazil, the car is highly eligible for prestigious historic racing events such as the Monaco Historic Grand Prix.
1979 Fittipaldi F6/A
Providing a "more accessible" entry into historic racing is the 1979 Fittipaldi F6/A that Sotheby's predicts will sell for between €500,000 and €700,000 (NZ$1 million and NZ$1.4 million). Raced by Emerson Fittipaldi across seven rounds, this chassis recently secured a podium finish at the 2024 Monaco Historic Grand Prix. It features a 3.0-litre Cosworth DFV engine with less than 400 kilometres since its last rebuild and comes with an FIA Historic Technical Passport.
2003 Jordan EJ13 Show Car
Completing the Formula One-themed lots is a 2003 Jordan EJ13 Show Car with an estimate of €100,000 to €150,000 (NZ$200,000 to NZ$300,000) that Sotheby's describes as a "static replica" of the car that won the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix with Giancarlo Fisichella, giving the Italian driver his first Grand Prix win.
As the world's largest collector car auction house, RM Sotheby’s currently holds the records for six of the ten most valuable motor cars ever sold at auction. Interested bidders and enthusiasts can find more information regarding the 25 April sale at rmsothebys.com.
