+ Click to Enlarge HISTORY FOR SALE: Spectators take a close look at a single-seater Talbot-Lago T26C vintage racing car that was driven by racing legend Jean Manuel Fangio. The car was sold at a Christie's auction the Le Mans track in western France on Saturday to an Argentine buyer for about €1-million. Picture: AFP

July 9, 2006

Le Mans, France – A buyer from Argentina has paid more than €1-million at auction for a vintage racing car once driven by his legendary compatriot Jean Manuel Fangio.

The anonymous buyer, bidding by phone, paid €990 000 for the single-seater Talbot-Lago T26C but commission brought the total to €1 100 250.

The car was one of 40 collectors' items auctioned by Christie's French subsidiary at the Bugatti circuit at the Le Mans track in western France. Pre-sale estimates had put the price at €600 000 to €800 000.

A Ferrari 365 GTB4/A Michelotti Nart Spyder from 1972, which took part at trials at Le Mans in 1975, was offered at between €1.2 million and €1.8 million but did not find a buyer. The best offer was €1.1 million.

A Pescarolo C60-Judd that raced in the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1975, driven by two-times World rally champion Sebastien Loeb, was also not sold. Bids stopped at €150 000 in spite of estimates of up to €900 000.

A Maserati 4 CM Monoposto from 1937 was knocked down at €325 000, though the European buyer will have to write a cheque for €368 750, including charges. Estimates were €300 000 to €500 000.

A total of 119 items were for sale – not only cars but also race-related objects such as scale-models, drivers' overalls and armbands, accessories, pennants, posters and original race programmes.

Only half the items found takers; at a similar sale two years ago 69 percent of lots were sold. On that occasion Christie's sold a 1930 Bentley Speed Six that was runner-up in the 1930 24 Hours race, for €4.19-million. – AFP