RM Sotheby’s will hold the most important of its European auctions in a city whose name alone commands a grand sense of prestige – Paris. The glittering ‘City of Lights’ is now in its 12th year as the host of the auction and has been witness to several record-breaking car sales at Les Salles du Carrousel in the Palais du Louvre. For those who want to be seen, and for their vehicles to get maximum global exposure, there can be no venue more perfect. The magnificent Place Vendôme is mere moments away, as is the famed shopping district known as the ‘Golden Triangle’ of Paris.
Taking place on February 4th and 5th, the auction is expected to break records once again with a lineup of vehicles that include racing classics and contemporary supercars. Rising above the other big-ticket items is a car with a history as vibrant and rich as its ‘rosso corsa’ finish. The 1964 Ferrari 250 LM is an exquisitely well-preserved model that holds a special place in racing history. It is being offered on sale from the collection of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, presenting a rare and irresistible opportunity for all car enthusiasts.
Below, we take a more detailed look at the intriguing history of this car and its significance in the world of racing.
Ferrari in the United States
The Ferrari 250 LM played a significant role as part of the North American Racing Team (NART), formed by famed Italian racecar driver Luigi Chinetti. In fact, Chinetti is a name indelibly linked to the history of Ferrari in the United States. His journey to becoming Ferrari’s North American ambassador is as remarkable as the cars he helped popularise. Trained as a mechanic in his father’s workshop, Chinetti joined Alfa Romeo at the age of 16, where he met Enzo Ferrari, then a young racing driver. This meeting would forge a lifelong bond between the two men, laying the groundwork for Chinetti’s later role as Ferrari’s gateway to the United States.
In the 1930s, Chinetti’s racing career began to take shape and he became a fixture at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, competing in every race from 1932 to 1953 and securing wins for Alfa Romeo in 1932 and 1933. However, his crowning achievement came in 1949 when he delivered Ferrari’s first-ever Le Mans victory. Driving a 166 MM for almost 23 hours of the race, Chinetti’s extraordinary performance etched his name into motorsport history and cemented Ferrari’s reputation on the world stage.
After World War II, Chinetti emigrated to the United States, becoming a citizen in 1950 and establishing himself as the North American importer for Ferrari. He initially operated out of New York City before relocating to Greenwich, Connecticut. Chinetti’s dealership became synonymous with Ferrari’s allure and his influence extended beyond sales. Chinetti would eventually found the North American Racing Team (NART) in 1957, which became a crucial partner in Scuderia Ferrari’s operations, enabling Ferrari to earn valuable World Championship points in North America.
The team was wildly successful, competing in prestigious events such as the 24 Hours of Daytona, the United States Grand Prix, and, most notably, Le Mans. Over nearly 25 years, NART fielded almost 70 Ferraris at Le Mans, more than any other team outside of Scuderia Ferrari itself. Among these, one car stands out even today: the Ferrari 250 LM.
The Ferrari 250 LM: A Le Mans Legend
Introduced at the 1963 Paris Salon, the 250 LM represented a significant evolution in Ferrari’s engineering. It was the first Ferrari GT car to feature a mid-engine layout, a configuration that had proven successful in Ferrari’s Formula 1 cars. Designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti, the 250 LM combined advanced aerodynamics with a powerful V12 engine that was upgraded from a 3.0-litre model to a 3.3-litre, offering both beauty and performance. Despite its promise, the car faced challenges as the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) refused to approve it as a GT-class car, relegating it to the prototype category and limiting its competitive opportunities. A frustrated Enzo Ferrari passed the car on to privateers like NART, who recognised its potential.
In 1965, one of NART’s 250 LMs—chassis number 5893—achieved an extraordinary victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Driven by American Masten Gregory and Austrian Jochen Rindt, the car overcame a field of more advanced prototypes, including entries from Ford and Ferrari’s own Scuderia. The race’s early hours saw 5893 holding steady in the mid-pack. However, as mechanical issues sidelined competitors, the NART Ferrari began to climb the leaderboard. By the 21st hour, it had taken the lead, ultimately securing a five-lap victory over the second-place 250 LM.
This triumph was historic on multiple levels. It marked the first time a privateer-entered Ferrari had won Le Mans outright, and it extended Ferrari’s record to six consecutive victories at the storied race. Remarkably, this would be Ferrari’s last overall win at Le Mans for 58 years, until the 499P’s victory in 2023.
A Storied Career
Chassis 5893’s success at Le Mans was just the beginning of its illustrious racing career. In 1966, the car competed in the inaugural 24 Hours of Daytona, finishing 9th overall. It returned to Daytona in 1968, driven by Masten Gregory and David Piper, but an accident forced its retirement. Later that year, it participated in the rescheduled 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it unfortunately retired again after an accident. Despite these setbacks, the car demonstrated remarkable resilience, returning to Le Mans in 1969 and finishing an impressive 8th overall—a notable achievement for a five-year-old race car.
The 250 LM’s final outing came at the 1970 24 Hours of Daytona, where it climbed from a 44th-place start to finish 7th overall. This performance underscored the car’s enduring competitiveness and cemented its legacy as one of Ferrari’s most iconic race cars.
Legacy of the 250 LM
The Ferrari 250 LM holds a special place in the pantheon of racing legends. With just 32 examples built, it is a rare and highly coveted model, embodying Ferrari’s commitment to innovation and excellence. Its victory at Le Mans remains a testament to the ingenuity of Maranello and the determination of Luigi Chinetti and his NART team. More than just a car, the 250 LM symbolises a golden era of endurance racing, where privateers could still triumph against factory-backed giants.
Today, the 250 LM is celebrated not only for its racing achievements but also for its timeless design and engineering brilliance. Chassis 5893, in particular, stands as a monument to Ferrari’s endurance racing legacy, a car that defied the odds to claim one of motorsport’s greatest prizes. Its story is a reminder of the passion and perseverance that define the Ferrari brand—qualities that continue to inspire generations of enthusiasts and racers alike.
After its final race in April 1970, the 250 LM was sold to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and has been carefully preserved for 54 years. It is a highlight of the museum’s vast collection and has been presented at concours events and motors shows. The car has authentic parts including its engine and gearbox, and is being sold with copies of ownership from Luigi Chinetti, copies of the paperwork for all 3 Le Mans races it participated in, as well as copies of the purchase documents from the museum. This is the ultimate NART Ferrari and would be the crown jewel of any car collection.
