The Jody Scheckter collection of racing cars helped RM Sotheby’s romp to its biggest-ever sale in Monaco, with the 1979 F1 World Champ’s cars contributing €12,523,550 to the €40,000,000 auction total.
The auction, which also broke a world record for a Daytona Spider when almost €3.5m was raised on a 1972 example, had an 82% sell-through rate during the historic Grand Prix weekend in the principality, but the star, as predicted, was the 1979 Ferrari 312 T4 touted as Enzo Ferrari’s last Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship-winning car. Bought directly from the factory by South Africa ace Scheckter and owned by him ever since, it is the car that he drove to wins in Belgium, Monaco, and Italy en route to his title and he was its only driver. The impeccable history and provenance contributed greatly to the €7,655,000 EUR paid by a prominent Japanese collection.
Scheckter’s 1977 Tyrrell P34/6 also topped €1m, more than double its low estimate, as did the 1973 McLaren M23.
The 1972 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider by Scaglietti was the second biggest seller of the two day sale on 10-11 May, while the ex-Fon de Portago 1954 Ferrari 625 F1 rounded off the podium at €2,705,000.
The Kremer Racing built 1981 ‘Porsche’ 917 K-81 which was the last 917 to race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in period made €2,648,750, while €2,001,875 was paid for a 2022 Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 with just 110km on the clock.
Augustin Sabatié-Garat, Director of Sales, EMEA, said: ‘This was the largest sale we have ever brought to Monaco and we couldn’t be more delighted with the result. For most of the team, Jody’s Ferrari 312 T4 was the highlight of the sale, and to bring that car to the principality where it had enjoyed a famous victory, was a huge thrill.’