RM ANNOUNCES LOS ANGELES AUCTION

5/1/2002

Fresh from their successful Vintage Cars at Amelia Island auction, RM Auctions has assembled another exciting auction for its May 25-26 Vintage, Sports and Racing Cars in Los Angeles event at the Barker Hangar in conjunction with the Ferrari Club on North America’s annual meet.

A 1942 Mitsubishi A6M2 “The Zero” Airplane headlines over forty cars, motorcycles and rare Ferrari, Bugatti and Porsche spares, engines and desirable parts to be offered by RM including two Indy-Winning race cars from the collection of Richard Freshman. His 1931 Miller 230 “Big Eight” Race Car and 1933 Miller Indy Race Car will be offered. Another highlight is a 1992 Ferrari F40 Michelotto Specification. Vintage Sports and Racing Cars in Los Angeles is the third of RM Auctions’ six premier auctions in 2002, following an $11.7 million sale at the Arizona Biltmore in January and a $13 Million sale at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in March, both auctions sold over 70% of the cars offered.

1942 Mitsubishi A6M2 Naval Type O Carrier Fighter Model 11 “The Zero” - one of Only Three Flying Certified Zeros in Existence

When adventurer Bruce Fenstermaker stumbled upon the speared, dilapidated wreckage of a WWII fighter on a jungle ridden island off the coast of New Guinea, he knew that he had found something important. Within a short time, the remains of the Mitsubishi A6M Zero were neatly crated and on its way to the Museum of Aviation in Santa Monica, California.

Historical research, carried out by specialists in conjunction with the museum, combed the pieces upon their arrival in Santa Monica. Details concerning the airframe of the Zero indicated that it is most likely this example had been part of the Japanese Navy’s Third Air Group. It is likely that the Zero had been assigned to the group prior to 1942 as the group only then became active in heavy flying missions. The Third Air Group played a decisive role in Japan’s early campaign flying against targets and opposition in the Philippines.

It is no surprise that few remain in existence today, the heavy toll inflicted on the Japanese military forces towards the end of the war caused the destruction of most of the Zeros. On April 16, 1998, the Zero made its first flight following its certification making it one of only three in existence that fly.

1931 Miller 230 “Big Eight” Race Car – The 1933 Indianapolis Winning Race Car

The Indianapolis-winning Miller is one of the most important, significant and original automobiles from the golden age of American racing. Conceived by the master, Harry Miller, rendered into steel and aluminum by his talented Lieutenants Leo Goosen and Fred Offenhauser, constructed entirely at the Miller shop in Los Angeles, tuned and driven by 3-time Indianapolis winner Louis Meyer. It has an innovative chassis design which makes it visually distinctive and particularly purposeful. Its history is clear.

There is no more important, useful and rewarding example of the heritage of the American automobile and the great tradition of the California speedway constructers than this Miller.

1933 Miller-Stevens 255 Indianapolis Two-Man Race Car – The 1936 Indy Winner

This example carried Louis Meyer to his record third Indianapolis 500 win in 1936, the first three-time winner in the history of the Memorial Day classic. Meyer’s third victory furthermore established three Indy traditions that continue to the present day: the Victory Lane drink of milk; awarding the 500’s pace car to the winning driver; and recording the driver’s name and likeness on the perpetual Borg-Warner Trophy.

Built by Offenhauser and later by Louis Meyer and his sometime riding mechanic, Dale Drake, at Meyer & Drake Engineering, the Miller-Offy powered 23 Indianapolis winners as a naturally-aspirated engine and another six in its turbo-charged form, including ten consecutive victories. The history of this Miller- engine, Stevens-chassis is the stuff of which legends are made, competing at the Speedway from 1934 until 1948. Its survival, in wholly original and complete condition, makes it a singularly important artifact of the golden age of American racing.

1992 Ferrari F40 Michelotto Specification

1987 would be the fortieth year for production of Ferrari Automobiles. It not only firmly marked Ferrari’s maturity as an industrial concern and racing car constructer, but also its creator, Enzo Ferrari, would enter his ninetieth year in 1987. The Ferrari F40 was created to commemorate these two coincidental and important milestones, and was the last road car that Enzo Ferrari approved. It is considered to be his crowning achievement.

After sale to its second owner, this U.S. spec F40 underwent extensive work to not only increase its track performance, but it’s livability on the street. It comes complete with easily installed parts that allow the car to be switched from ultimate track machine to ultimate street machine, in half a day by a qualified mechanic. The car comes complete with all the original F40 parts replaced during its upgrades. 90568 is a unique and fully developed combination of the finest attributes of the Ferrari F40: tractable, comfortable and responsive. On the street or track this F40 is sure to be a welcome participant in many Ferrari Owners Club events.