Hello, When I saw this Le Mans class winning chassis back in 2002, it featured regular exhausts and aluminum mud flaps. At this August's Pebble Beach events it was present as well, but with a slightly altered appearance. It no longer had mud flaps and featured side exhausts just like Kroymans' 4757 GT. Does anyone know why these changes were carried out? IMO it looked better with the 2002 features. Thanks WM
According to Bluemel / Pourret, 4293 GT was fitted with mudflaps for the 1963 Le Mans. So, to be correct "as it left the factory" would seem to be the reason for the changes.
In a 2000 Classic and Sportscar there was an advert for the (Bonhams /) Brooks Gstaad auction, where 4293 GT was offered. It showed a contemporary picture of the car, with the external features it has now. It did not say where that pic was taken though.
This is 4293GT with a little info. s/n 4293GT Current owner: Patrick Ma Date sold: April 22, 1963 Original color: Rosso Cina Bug deflector was fitted for the 1963 Le Mans race, where it finished first in class and second overall - exactly the same as s/n 3705 GT in the previous year. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
At the time of writing the owner was Patrick Ma, but the car may have changed hands since then, NNO will probably be able to give us more recent history.
He has a connection with The Netherlands too, being the Conner in John Bosch' BarronConner racing team. I talked to him briefly at this year's Tour Auto; he seems to be a very nice guy.
Yes - just down the road from me, in fact, at The Light Car Company's premises in Stanford-in-the-Vale. I went there on 15th December, 2000, specifically to see 4293GT, the day before she was shipped out to Gstaad. The workshop owner, Chris Holley, kindly fired it up for me, and even let my wife sit behind the wheel (heaven forbid). Her face was a picture - but sadly he wouldn't allow me to take any photos.
From memory, the estimate for Gstaad 2000 was $10 Million (at somewhat less advantageous $ exchange rates than present).
The car didn't sell at the Bonhams sale. It sold many weeks later privately, then owner Patrick Ma and buyer Chip Connor are neighbors!!
Connor has been buying up a lot of cars. He had a TR 59 at PB as well and participated in the Tour Auto with a Daytona. Quite an upgrade from the 911 RSR he used last year.
Chip Conner paid a lot (!) for the TR, but it's the 1960 LeMans winner. Probably the highest price ever paid for a TR, although the recent sale of 0704 is in the same eight digit range. Most recent GTO sale is 3223, from Japan to the US, in the same price range by the time commissions were factored in. $9 million just doesn't buy much any more.
Warning the following links may include pop-unders (NO SPYWARE!!) Here is it in 2002: http://www.***************.com/frame.php?file=pic.php&imagenum=44&carnum=134 And here in 2004: http://www.***************.com/frame.php?file=pic.php&imagenum=48&carnum=134 Sixty shots of 16 chassis and a full report: http://www.***************.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=134 This is our way of wishing all our readers a happy new year! Thanks for the help WM
Today at the Embassy Suites Monterey during Automobilia Monterey. Photo: Cris Bertschi. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Well the exhausts are back to the rear of the car, so obviously there are 2 exhaust systems that are easily changed for this car. As for the mud flaps ... well that is a shame. BTW: I thought there was only 1 GTO that finished 2nd at Le Mans overall ... which is why that one is always at the top of the GTO desired list. So there were actually 2 great Le Mans results!! Pete