LONDON.- RM Auctions, the world’s largest collector car auction house for investment-quality automobiles, announced a selection of stunning new consignments for its Monaco auction at the Grimaldi Forum, scheduled 11th – 12th May during the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique weekend.

Befitting a sale in such a world-renowned motorsport location, RM has secured a truly outstanding collection of some of the world’s most significant racing cars. The 2012 event has been extended to two sale days (11th – 12th May), and will also feature a wonderful roster of blue-chip, non-competition collector cars and the famous Saltarelli Ducati Collection.

“Monaco holds a very special place in the history of motorsport so it's therefore fitting that RM is accumulating a fabulous collection of some of the world's finest historic racing machinery for this year's sale,” says Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Europe. “With the other fine non-competition cars already consigned to the sale, and with over 100 incredible Ducati motorcycles on offer, this year's Monaco auction is shaping up to be one to remember.”

Leading the charge of significant racing cars on the grid for the Monaco sale is a beautiful 1948 Ferrari 166 Spider Corsa ‘Fontana’, chassis number 012I. The ninth Ferrari in chassis sequence and the sixth 166 Spider Corsa built, the car boasts an extraordinary and extensive period race history, first with Scuderia Ferrari and later with Scuderia Marzotto, for whom it was rebodied in 1950 in the Barchetta style by Carrozzeria Fontana. The car’s competition portfolio in the 1948 to 1952 period includes two Mille Miglias and two Targa Florios, during which time it was piloted by such notable drivers as Bracco, Maglioli, Frolian Gonzales and the Marzotto brothers. Documented as one of the most raced Ferraris in existence, it was recently restored to concours quality condition and is ready to participate in any postwar historic racing or touring event (Est. €1.100.000 - €1.800.000).

“We’re thrilled to be offering one of the world’s most interesting Ferraris at our upcoming Monaco sale,” adds Girardo. “Sure to attract serious attention from Ferraristi, it combines stunning looks with an extraordinary provenance and extensive, winning period race history.”

Another important example on offer from the prancing horse stable is a 1974 Ferrari 308 GT4/LM, chassis number 08020, a one-off competition Ferrari built by the factory and specially designed to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A truly unique piece of Ferrari racing heritage, the brand new Ferrari racer was entered in the 1974 Le Mans 24 hours by NART, driven by Giancarlo Gagliardi and Jean-Louis Lafosse. After its brief racing career, 08020 was retained for some time by Luigi Chinetti before being sold. The current owner has brought the car back to full running order (Est. €580.000 – €680.000).

In addition to the Ferraris, RM’s highly anticipated Monaco auction will lift the gavel on a series of other important racing cars. RM has already announced the consignment of a hugely desirable, competition bred 1968 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 ‘Daytona,’ chassis number 75033-029, so to announce the consignment of a second ex-works Alfa Romeo Tipo 33, is extremely exciting. Sitting alongside chassis number 75033-029 will be the super-original 1969 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33-3, chassis number 10580-023, the ex-works Autodelta Group 6 car. Developed for the 1970 championship season, the car features a 3-litre V8 engine, capable of producing in excess 420bhp. Chassis 023 has a wonderful competition history with the Autodelta team, and was the car shared by De Adamich and Piers Courage during the 1970 season. (Est. €600.000 - €700.000).

“Offered in outstanding and highly original condition, this Alfa Romeo racing car from the Golden Era of sports car racing, will surely form the centrepiece of any important collection worldwide,” Girardo comments.

French marques will also be well represented at RM’s Monaco auction including the offering of a 1950 Talbot-Lago T26 GS, chassis number 110057, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful of all postwar racing cars. Well-known to historic racing enthusiasts around the world for its fantastic and almost uniquely complete racing history from 1950 through today, 110057 boasts just three owners since being sold by the factory in 1951. It has been raced by its current owner for over fifty years. With an enviable period competition history, the car’s race record includes such legendary names as Fangio, Rosier, Trintignant, Mairesse and Grignard. Twice entered for the Le Mans 24 Hour races, including the 1952 race in the hands of Rosier and Fangio, it also participated in the 1952 Monaco GP in the hands Rosier and Trintignant. With the benefit of being a two-seat racing car, 110057 offers any owner the enticing prospect of historic grand prix racing as well as sports-car racing and road use.(Est. €1.150.000 - €1.500.000)

Another example with a superlative racing record is the 1978 Rondeau M378, chassis number M378-001. This particular chassis boasts a unique place in sports car racing that may never be challenged; a veteran of no less than nine Le Mans 24 Hour races, M378-001 has taken part in the legendary French race more than any other car in history. During that illustrious period, the car managed to finish on the podium twice, scoring both 2nd and 3rd place finishes overall. Recently restored, including a brand new engine with zero miles, it is presented in its Belga livery, where it finished third overall. It is offered for sale at RM’s upcoming Monaco auction with an entry to Le Mans Classic in 2012 (Est. €610.000 - €760.000).

McLaren Can-Am racers are considered among some of the most brutal and successful of all sports racing cars. Offered for sale in Monaco will be the 1968 McLaren M6B Sports Racing/Can-Am Car, chassis number 50-06. An interesting car in relation to the two Alfa Romeo 33s being offered for sale, this car is a well-known “Autodelta” McLaren and is remarkably original whilst benefitting from a freshly restored factory tub, lightweight body panels, and a new fuel-injected 700bhp aluminium small-block Chevrolet engine. After its purchase from the factory in 1968, Autodelta briefly used chassis 50-06 as a track-test vehicle for the new Alfa Romeo T-33 engine program. Purchased many years ago directly from Autodelta, it has had just two owners from new. (Est. €260.000 - €330.000).

Other notable blue-chip entries for the sale include:

· a rare 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce Zagato (Est. €380.000 - €420.000);
· an immaculately presented 1971 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spyder, one of just 25 European specification Daytona Spyders (Est. €800.000 - €1.000.000);
· a handsomely restored, left-hand-drive 1965 Aston Martin DB5 (Est. €240.000 - €280.000); and
· a low-mileage 1976 Lancia Stratos 'Stradale', just two owners from new and boasting just 43,000 kilometres (Est. €250.000 - €300.000).