A hugely significant 1914 Peugeot L45 Grand Prix
Two-Seater has sold for US$ 7.26 million at a recent Bonhams Auction event in Los
Angeles.
For much of the last century, it was thought that
this iconic Peugeot was driven by Dario Resta to victory at the 1916
Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. However, it was recently confirmed that it was
instead driven by Ralph Mulford at the 1916 event and finished third.
Throughout much of the early 1900’s, French
carmakers dominated the motorsport scene and in 1913, Jules Goux claimed
victory at the Indianapolis endurance race in a similar car.
Interestingly, this L45 Grand Prix Two-Seater raced
with a 3.0-liter engine in 1916 but was soon fitted with a 4.5-liter
four-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder,
and 112 hp at 2,800 rpm. The car also includes mechanical drum brakes at all
four corners, semi-elliptical leaf spring suspension and live front and rear
axles.
A key contributor in the vehicle’s auction price is
that it is chassis no.1 and features engine no.1.
