Equipment
Original Type 547 twin cam engine. Poorly filled holes where windshield should be. Race number decals not fit correctly. Raced to a DNF at Le Mans in 1954, then to Reims 12 Hour race on July 4 where it finished ninth overall and second in class. Then raced at Nurburgring on August 1 with a front anti roll bar added, driven by Hans Herrmann to first place. Again raced by Herrmann at Avus in Berlin with extensive body modifications on September 19th to a second overall behind a more conventional 550 Spyder. After the 1954 season it was sold to a Swiss collector and then to a Canadian collector who stored it for 25 years. This car is will bring stares and comments from everyone. Restored in 1997 and showing some age.
Market commentary
Offered by RM here in Monterey in 2000 where it failed to sell at a reported high bid of $450,000, then withdrawn from RMs Amelia Island auction in 2002 where the estimate was $550 650,000. It was worth the wait.