RM Sotheby's/Peter SinghofEstimate: €2,250,000–€3,000,000 ($2.7M–$3.6M)

Ferrari withdrew from sports car and GT racing in the early 1970s to focus on Formula 1, but privateers kept the prancing horse prancing on track for the rest of the decade. Privately entered 365 GTB/4 Daytonas scored three class wins at Le Mans (1972, 1973, and 1974), and when the Daytona was replaced by the 365 GT4 BB (Berlinetta Boxer), the new mid-engine car became the Ferrari racer’s weapon of choice, at least until the more powerful 512 BB debuted in 1976. The 512 BB/LM was a lightened, more powerful version of the road car with more slippery bodywork and fixed headlights.

Ultimately, 25 examples of the 512 BB/LM were built and although the Ferrari was rarely all that competitive against the turbocharged Porsche 935, one did score a GTX class victory and fifth overall at Le Mans in 1981.

The car on offer from the Guikas collection is the 20th 512 BB/LM built, commissioned for Fabriozio Violati’s racing team Scuderia Bellancauto and fitted with special one-off bodywork. The highlights of its career were class wins at Monza and Pergusa in 1981 and another one at Mugello in 1982. It appeared at Le Mans in 1981 and 1984 but broke both times and retired. Gearbox trouble, the 512’s Achilles’ heel, was the culprit on both occasions.

This car last sold, still in original as-raced condition, for $990,000 at the Bonhams Quail Lodge auction in 2014.

1955 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione by Pinin Farina

RM Sotheby's/Peter SinghofRM Sotheby's/Peter SinghofRM Sotheby's/Peter Singhof