Le Mans crash car makes US$1 million
An unrestored car involved in motor racing's worst accident, at Le Mans in 1955, has sold at auction for more than US$1 million after 42
years under wraps.
Auctioneers Bonhams said the Austin Healey 100 Special, in "barn find" condition, had fetched a world record £843,000
(ZAR10,600,000) at the auction in Weybridge, southern England, on Thursday.
Driven by Lance Macklin at the Le Mans 24-Hour sports car race, it was rammed from behind by Pierre Levegh's Mercedes which then flew
into the crowd and killed at least 83 spectators.
The car was impounded by the French authorities for 18 months before being handed back to the Donald Healey Motor Company for repairs,
racing through the late 1950s and into the 1960s.
Bonhams said it had been stored, untouched, by the vendor since he bought it in 1969.