RM Sotheby’s, the world’s leading name in classic car auctions, joined together with Sotheby’s auction house to launch ModaMiami, a first-of-its-kind luxury experience in March 2024. The immensely successful inaugural event was a love letter to all things automotive with auctions and showcases from RM Sotheby’s, alongside a high-end retail experience featuring curated pieces, as well as live entertainment and haute cuisine. ModaMiami returns for its second edition from 27 February to 2 March, and will be held once again at the Biltmore Coral Gables.
The event will kick off with an exhibition and auction from RM Sotheby’s, with lots including rare vehicles from the collection of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) Museum. Below are a few of the most intriguing cars up for auction.
1966 Ford GT40 Mk II
During a golden era of motor racing when Ferrari was dominating the circuit with six consecutive wins at Le Mans, Ford was looking for a way to break that streak. Despite its GT40 Mk I model having a solid showing at the 1965 Le Mans race, none of the cars were able to finish. Renowned builder Shelby American, working alongside names like Holman-Moody, modified the existing model to create the GT40 Mk II. It was modified to accommodate a larger NASCAR engine, complemented by a sleeker aerodynamic body, cooling systems at the front and rear, and a nose that would stay lower to the track.
The car was entered in the 1966 12 Hours of Sebring, piloted by Walt Hansgen and Mark Donohue from Holman-Moody. They achieved the best ever finish for the team in 2nd place (and Ford took all three spots on the podium), which led to them competing in Le Mans. Hansgen suddenly and tragically passed away prior to the race, and Donohue was paired up with Australian racer Paul Hawkins. Due to a myriad of technical issues while traversing the gruelling Circuit de la Sarthe, this vehicle was unable to finish the race, but the model still did Ford proud as all three spots on the podium were taken by GT40 MkIIs.
The car was eventually retired and joined the IMS collection in 1968. It had been refinished prior to that, and underwent a restoration in 2011 to its original colours and design specs. As one of only eight GT40 Mk IIs ever produced, this is a remarkable piece of racing history.
1908 Mercedes 17.3 Litre 150 HP ‘Brookland’ Semmering Rennwagen
First developed by Mercedes in 1906, this model would earn the moniker of ‘Brookland’ as the result of a stellar performance on the Brooklands circuit in England - the first purpose-built racing circuit in the world. A one-off version of the model was built in 1908 for the specific purpose of participating in Austria’s gruelling Semmering Hill Climb. It featured a larger engine than was typically allowed for Grand Prix races, and was driven by Otto Salzer to victory.
Following this, the car was sent back to the factory and fitted with a larger motor that produced 150 horsepower from its impressive 17.3-litre engine, the only one of its kind ever built. Salzer once again drove the car to pole position at the 1909 Hill Climb, setting a record that would go unchallenged for the next 15 years. Later that year, it would achieve 3rd place in the Champion du Monde against highly stacked competition. After that race, it was fitted with larger Michelin tyres and by the end of the year, had been sold to an Australian buyer. The vehicle changed hands a few times across Melbourne over the next few decades, having its seats replaced with metal aircraft seats.
In 1955, the Brookland was sold to David Gray Jr., whose family was one of the earliest investors in Ford Motor Company and who himself was a noted automobile collector. It stayed with him until 1964, when it was sold to the IMS Museum and maintained in immaculate condition with the occasional tour or concourse appearance. The Brookland was one of a few cars taken to England for 2003’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, and was part of the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It maintains many of its original mechanical components and has its original ID tag, which is extremely rare for a vintage competition Mercedes.
1957 Chevrolet Corvette SS Project XP-64
This car was a passion project worked on and raced by Zachary Arkus-Duntov, better known as ‘Zora’. In love with racecars from a very young age, Zora moved to New York as a young man and found great success selling munitions for the American war effort alongside his brother. He would go on to sell parts for Ford, race at Le Mans, and eventually become part of Chevrolet’s Corvette programme.
The Corvette was on the verge of being discontinued by GM in 1955, until Zora decided to give it a boost. The body and engine were redesigned and the new machine was put to the test at the 1956 12 Hours of Sebring, piloted by Zora himself. It put in a solid performance, finishing 9th and winning in its class, which led to a bump in sales. However, it was abundantly clear that in order to really compete with the top names in the sport, Chevrolet needed a purpose-built racer designed for performance.
To fulfil that vision, Project XP-64 was founded, later renamed to Corvette Super Sport (SS). Made of lightweight magnesium with several experimental parts, the car was nothing short of stunning. However, it ran into several mechanical and technical issues during its maiden race that forced it into retirement shortly after. It did, however, find a new level of fame and was featured at motor shows and on automotive magazines for years afterwards before ending up in the collection of the IMS museum. The Corvette SS is a singular piece of history, built and championed by a man who would be a lifelong Corvette ambassador long after retiring from the company. This lot presents an incredible opportunity to acquire a car designed by a true legend.
