2023-06-16 07:00:00
On the occasion of Le Mans Classic, Artcurial auctions cars that have distinguished themselves in the Sarthe, such as a Singer 1500 from 1934 or a Porsche 962 from 1990.
By Yves Maroselli Third in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1990, this Porsche 962 C is estimated between 1.5 and 1.8 million euros. Published on 06/16/2023 at 07:00
The history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is not only exceptional for its longevity – the event celebrates its centenary this year – it is also exceptional for the variety of cars that have been entered.
Going back there allows you to rediscover certain forgotten models of brands that no longer exist today. This is the case for this Singer Le Mans Sport, a small English roadster typical of the 1930s powered by a 6-cylinder engine developing only around sixty horsepower, which did not prevent it from finishing 7th and 8th place at the finish of the 1934 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and first in its class at the British Empire Trophy the same year. Remarkable results which contributed to building the notoriety of this manufacturer, founded in 1905 in Coventry, which met with great success across the Channel before the war. Unfortunately, the aftermath of the Great Depression and then that of the Second World War plunged Singer, like many English but also French brands of that time, into inextricable financial difficulties, so much so that after being bought by Rootes in 1956 , Singer completely disappeared in 1970. Enough to make the Singer 1 1/2 Liter Le Mans Sports from 1934 put up for sale by Artcurial on June 30, the precious testimony of a bygone era. Completely restored, this example estimated at 200,000 to 300,000 euros is just waiting to take to the track again in the most prestigious competitions for historic vehicles such as Le Mans Classic.
The Singer 1 1/2 liter Le Mans Sports from 1934, estimated between 200,000 and 300,000 euros.
700 horsepower. Alongside this cute little English roadster, Artcurial is also offering for sale this year a true star of endurance racing in general and of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in particular, since it is a model that has won three times in the Sarthe, in 1986, 1987 and 1994. Specialists will have recognized the Porsche 962 C with which the German brand has written some of the finest pages of its racing record. Beneath its bodywork patiently sculpted in a wind tunnel, to reduce its drag and therefore its fuel consumption, but also to maximize its aerodynamic downforce, i.e. the force that presses it to the ground to improve its handling at high speed, the 962 C hides an overpowered 6-cylinder biturbo of nearly 700 hp. Enough to flirt with 350 km/h in the long Mulsanne Straight. The copy put up for sale by Artcurial ranked 3rd in the 1990 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Refurbished but kept in its original livery, it is estimated between 1.5 and 1.8 million euros.
Artcurial sale, 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit, Friday June 30, at 2 p.m.
ACO/SP – caldicarphoto/SP
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