Museums, like car enthusiasts, sometimes need to sell vehicles to make room and generate funds. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is no exception, as they have enlisted RM Sotheby’s to auction off more than 10 cars from their collection. Among the highlights is the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 “Monza” Streamliner, a car driven by legends Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio. This open-wheel race car was later outfitted with a closed-wheel body, aiding Moss in setting a record lap time at the 1955 Italian Grand Prix.
Another significant car up for auction is the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM, which secured first place overall in the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans. For collectors looking for something unique, the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette SS Project XP64, a magnesium-bodied prototype that participated in the 1957 12 Hours of Sebring, will also be available.
The full list of cars being sold by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum includes iconic models such as the 1907 Itala, 1909 Mercedes Brookland, and the 1966 Ford GT40 Mark II.
The W196 is set to be showcased at RM’s Monterey sale in August and is expected to fetch up to $70 million. The auction will begin in the fall of 2024, with proceeds aimed at supporting the museum’s long-term financial stability and ongoing renovation projects.
According to Joe Hale, the museum’s president, the funds generated from the auction will enable them to acquire new vehicles, fund restoration projects, and enhance collection maintenance. Importantly, none of the cars being auctioned have any historical connection to the Indianapolis 500.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is currently closed for renovations and is slated to reopen in April 2025.
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