RM at Arizona, 2013: Perfect pair of 1960s sports cars heads the early entries

It’s almost as if Christmas has come early. For its forthcoming January sale, RM has announced the consignment of two cars that would be guaranteed a place in the Classic Driver garage: a GT40 and a 250 SWB.

The pair will join other early entries worthy of such an accolade, including the 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C and the 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 R, chassis 5R531, one of only 33 production R models built. 

But back to the GT40 and the SWB. Looking first at the Ferrari, it’s a 1960 car, a genuine 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione, chassis 1905 GT. Delivered new to a client in Italy, the red car left its native country in 1967 and then spent the majority of its subsequent life in the USA. 



It is the 17th of just 74 competizione-specification SWBs built, and has come out of a 2010 ‘freshening’ by renowned marque expert Wayne Obry. As you can see in the photographs, it looks quite superb, a beautiful example of one of the most striking cars ever built. 

Expect to be struck also, however, by the estimate; something you’ll need to contact the specialists at RM to find out about. 

The Pine Green 1965 Ford GT40, chassis P/1034, does come with a price: USD 2,400,000 – 3,000,000. It was delivered new to James Fielding, chairman of Heenan & Froude, the famous British manufacturer of hydraulic (water brake) dynamometers. 


Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, many a powerful Vanwall, Ford or Chevrolet racing engine would have been tested on one of these dynamometers, most often on the Slough Trading Estate, home to Ford Advanced Vehicles. 

Although ordered as a road car, with extras that included a heated windscreen, reversing lights, wing mirrors, an electric clock, two fuel gauges and road silencers, it has been raced in historic events in recent years. But, fundamentally, it remains a highly original, unmodified GT40 road car and as such is a rare beast. And highly desirable. 

RM Auctions’ 2013 Arizona sale will take place at its usual Arizona Biltmore & Spa venue on 18 January. 

Other news from the Ontario-bases auctioneers includes the results from its 1 December 2012, John Staluppi Collection sale. With all entries at ‘No Reserve’, the catalogue was a sell-out, grossing $10.4m.

Please CLICK HERE to see the full results. 
Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: Pawel Litwinski ©2012 Courtesy of RM Auctions