Austin-Healey racing car at centre of 1955 Le Mans disaster that killed 84 is set to sell for £1m

Crash was worst in motor sport history



Anonymous owner had kept car locked up for past 42 years - after buying it in 1969 for £155



An Austin-Healey racing car involved in the worst crash in motor sport history is set to sell for nearly £1million.

The disaster at the Le Mans 24-hour race in 1955 saw 84 people killed after the car was clipped by a Mercedes, which then flew into the crowd.

But now, the Austin-Healey's anonymous owner has decided to sell it at auction after keeping it locked up for the past 42 years at a garage in the north of England.

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The Austin-Healey is set to fetch £1million despite needing much attention

The car is seen here in pristine condition at a pre-race scrutineering in 1955, soon before the fateful Le Mans episode which would leave it in tatters

Despite its macabre past and rusty state, motor sport enthusiasts are said to be willing to pay huge sums for it as it is a 'crucially historic landmark car'

Scores of spectators were killed instantly as debris hurtled towards them at 150mph and fires erupted in the grandstand from the wreckage.

The French driver of the Mercedes, Pierre Levegh, also died in the crash, in north-west France.



After the tragedy, the Austin-Healey - driven by British racer Lance Macklin - was impounded by the French authorities before it was released to the British company the following year.

It was later sold to several private buyers before the current owner of the car - registration NOJ 393 - bought it for £155 in 1969.

Despite its macabre past and rusty state, motor sport enthusiasts are said to be willing to pay huge sums for it as it is a 'crucially historic landmark car'.

Point of impact: Macklin's car (centre) collided with the Mercedes which eventually led to the numerous deaths

COUNTDOWN TO CATASTROPHE: HOW THE RACE UNFOLDED

The cars line up for the start of the 1955 Le Mans race in north-west France During the Le Mans race the green Austin-Healey was being driven by British racer Lance Macklin, who began well. As the first round of pit-stops loomed, Macklin swerved to avoid Mike Hawthorn's heavily braking D-type Jaguar and pulled out in front of French driver Pierre Levegh. The Austin-Healey had a rear end like a ramp and it was clipped by Levegh's Mercedes-Benz 300SLR, which flew into the spectators. The French driver and 84 fans were killed, 120 people were injured, and the whole incident was recorded on film. Macklin escaped without injury but the disaster prompted major changes in how motor sport safety was implemented. The race continued despite the crash and it was eventually won by Mike Hawthorn.

The car had previously taken part in the 1953 Le Mans race after being rushed into action when a French lorry driver smashed into the first choice car.

Collectors and enthusiasts are keen to purchase the car not only because of its association with the disaster but because it is a rare and important vehicle.

James Knight, from auctioneers Bonhams, which is selling the car, said: 'The accident at Le Mans is well known about.

'This wasn't the car that caused the crash - it was a chain of events that led to it.

'[Mike] Hawthorn [in a Jaguar] overtook the Austin-Healey and then realised that he had to stop for the pits.

'He swerved in front of Macklin and braked hard. Macklin had nowhere to go.

'He moved left to avoid Hawthorn and regrettably didn't see the fast-approaching Levegh in the Mercedes. He clipped him and the result was filmed.

'The accident was tragic but a catalyst for many changes in safety.

The current owner of the car bought it for £155 in 1969

'Mercedes stopped racing and didn't return until the 1980s and racing was banned in Switzerland.

'This Austin-Healey is important for a number of reasons not just because of the accident.

'It was one of only four 1953 special test cars and was a prototype for the 100S and competed in other blue ribbon events.



'It also took part in the 1953 Le Mans when it masqueraded as a different car. The original car was hit by a French lorry driver.

'So they moved the number plates and the engine onto this car so the NOJ393 masqueraded as the NOJ391.

'They weren't really allowed to do this after the car had been scrutinised by officials.

Abandoned: A closer look at the race car shows an ageing dashboard and seats

The car still retains the original engine 'SPL 261-BN' and has steel panels on its left side front wing, door and rear wing from where it was repaired after the crash

'The inquiry following the 1955 crash held onto the car and released it the following year having exonerated Macklin and ruling that it was an accident.

'It was sold to David Buxton of Derby who raced the car and then it passed through several owners until the current vendor purchased it.'

It is believed the car still retains the original engine 'SPL 261-BN' and has steel panels on its left side front wing, door and rear wing from where it was repaired after the crash.

The original buff logbook document records the 'Austin Motor Company, Longbridge, Birmingham' as the car's original owner.

A spokesman for Bonhams added: 'The opportunity now presents itself to a connoisseur collector to revive this significant war horse.

A spokesman for Bonhams added: 'The opportunity now presents itself to a connoisseur collector to revive this significant war horse'

'The choices are self-evident although perhaps the majority opinion would be to restore the car to the zenith of its career - in 1955 Le Mans start-line condition, resplendent in British Racing Green.'



Opinions differed widely as to who was to blame for the Le Mans crash and such differences remain today.

Levegh's co-driver, John Fitch, became a major safety advocate and began active development of safer road cars and racing circuits.

At the Le Mans circuit itself, the grandstand and pit areas were demolished and rebuilt soon after the disaster.