An outstanding competition history has boosted a 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta "Tour de France" to pole position at RM Auctions' London sale, held on September 9.
 The 1956 Ferrari 250 GT was the start of the marque's most successful line |
The car, the eighth of only nine 250 GT Berlinetta Competiziones built that year, sold for an impressive £4.8m ($7.8m) in the annual sale.
1956 was the first year for Ferrari's outstanding 250 GT series, which would go on to be one of the most successful lines in automotive history. The 1956 model was given the nickname "Tour de France" after Alfonso de Portago and Edmont Nelson won the famous race to give the 250 GT line its first major victory.
This model was also present at the 1956 Tour de France, driven by Jacques Person and Jacques Bertrammier, who finished eighth overall - the second Tour de France model to finish.
Its 1957 season was even stronger, with the model - chassis 0563 GT - finishing fifth overall, just one place behind Stirling Moss in a Mercedes-Benz 300SL.
 The Cobra has spent quarter of a century in the Shelby American Collection |
Also featuring in the sale was a £1.1m ($1.8m) 1964 Shelby 289 Competition Cobra, which was campaigned by "Gentleman" Tom Payne in the 1964 and 1965 seasons.
One of the finest examples of its type, it boasts a stunning restoration at the hands of Shelby expert Bill Murray and was in the Shelby American Collection for 25 years.
A 1984 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 saw unexpectedly strong bids, rising 74.2% past its high estimate of £90,000 to £156,800 ($252,388).
 The Peugeot 205 remains popular in the UK today, so London bidders couldn't resist this suped-up version |
A suped-up version of the popular hatchback, the Group B-winning World Rally Championship 205 was actually one of the most advanced performance cars of its age, boasting 500 HP.
Only 200 were built for homologation, with this example covering just 1,700 km since new and in near perfect condition.
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