LADIES, START YOUR ENGINES! IMPORTANT 1934 ‘ALL FEMALE’ WORKS MG PA/B LE MANS ENTRY TO BE OFFERED AT RM SOTHEBY’S LONDON SALE
- Important Ex-Works 1934 MG PA/B, driven at Le Mans as part of a three-car team piloted by all-female crews, on offer at RM Sotheby’s central London sale, 7 September, 2015
- Car represents important part of British pre-war motorsport heritage and a fascinating footnote to Le Mans history
- Consignments currently invited for this important European sale
- Auction held in partnership with the Concours of Elegance, this year held at the Palace of Holyrood Palace
- Further event information and a frequently updated list of entries available online at www.rmsothebys.com
LONDON, England (18 June, 2015) – RM Sotheby’s is delighted to announce the inclusion of a delightful 1934 MG PA/B, chassis PA/1711, which showcased female driving talent at the 1935 Le Mans 24 hour race, at its annual London sale, 7 September at Battersea Evolution. Representing an important part of British pre-war motorsport heritage, the diminutive 948 cc four-cylinder MG is one of approximately 75 automobiles slated for the central London auction.
Chassis PA/1711 was raced as number 56 in the 1935 version of the legendary endurance competition, where it was driven exclusively by well-known female racers of the period as part of a high profile three car Works team. The trio of identical cars was managed by Captain George Eyston, himself a veteran of the 1928 and 1929 Le Mans races and a holder of the word land speed record. The group was unfairly dubbed by the media at the time as ‘Eyston’s Dancing Daughters’, with PA/1711 driven by Joan Richmond and Barbara Simpson, who had been a familiar sight on the international racing scene before the war, and who boasted solid and successful racing records. The meticulously prepared cars featured a wide range of special components and unique modifications, including significant performance upgrades to the engine, brakes and gearbox. The three MGs proved quick and reliable on the track, with all three making steady progress during the notoriously hard race. Richmond and Simpson brought #56 home in first place among the team, which finished 24th, 25th and 26th overall.
Today, the example on offer is the sole survivor of that 1935 three-car team. After Le Mans, two of the cars, including PA/1711, were reborn as supercharged Works hill-climbers, while one car was sold off by the factory. PA/1711 has spent much of the last 35 years in long-term ownership; fully restored in 1995, it is presented in fantastic condition, ready to be enjoyed. (Est. £95,000-£120,000).
Annette Abaci, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s, and one of very few women professionally involved in the collector car auction scene, says: “I love this little car. Pre-war sports cars are a particular passion of mine but this particular car is an important touch point for all women involved in the classic car industry and in the broader motorsport world. It also happens to be a wonderful car to participate with in clubs such as the VSCC and in other international pre-war clubs and events.”
Other significant early entries for the RM Sotheby’s London sale include:
- a 1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta 'Lusso', chassis 5885GT (Est. £1,200,000-£1,500,000);
- a 1950 Aston Martin DB2 Vantage, chassis LML/50/19 (Est. £290,000-£320,000);
The official auction of the UK’s prestigious Concours of Elegance, RM’s exclusive evening London sale will be held at Battersea Evolution on 7 September, with a preview of auction vehicles scheduled for 6 September. For full event information or to view a frequently updated list of entries, please visit www.rmsothebys.com or contact RM’s London office at +44 (0) 20 7851 7070. For further information on the Concours of Elegance, this year held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, please visit concoursofelegance.co.uk.
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About RM Sotheby’s
RM Sotheby’s (formerly RM Auctions) is the world's largest auction house for investment-quality automobiles. With 35 years’ experience in the collector car industry, RM's vertically integrated range of services, from private treaty sales and auctions to estate planning, and financial services, coupled with an expert team of car specialists and an international footprint, provide an unsurpassed level of service to the global collector car market. RM proudly holds four of the top ten all-time records for the most valuable motor cars sold at auction. In February 2015, RM formed a strategic partnership with Sotheby’s, uniting the two companies for the full calendar of future automobile auctions. For further information, visit www.rmauctions.com.
About the Concours of Elegance
Established in 2012, the inaugural Concours of Elegance was held within the private grounds of Windsor Castle to mark the diamond jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen’s reign. Organised by Thorough Events, the first Concours of Elegance set a new global benchmark for a classic car concours, winning prestigious awards in the process which was unheard of for a ‘start-up’ event in its first year. The second Concours of Elegance was held in 2013 to equal fanfare and acclaim at the historic Royal Palace of St James in London, and in 2014, the event was hosted at Hampton Court. For 2015, it has moved to Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, Scotland. Only the highest calibre of cars are invited to the Concours of Elegance event, with the rarest cars in the world, from all over the globe, painstakingly selected by the Concours Steering Committee, a respected team of authoritative historic car experts. A key objective of the annual Concours of Elegance is to raise significant sums for charity
Images are available upon request
All RM Sotheby’s catalogues are available online at www.rmauctions.com. If you are interested in attending an RM Sotheby’s event as a member of the media, please visit www.rmauctions.com/credentials to register for media credentials.
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