Austin-Healey which involved one of the worst accidents in the history of motor racing world will be sold with a tag of 1 million pounds. The car is so far just sitting in a garage.
Austin-Healey car crashed into a Mercedes car on the race at Le Mans, France, in 1955. Mercedes finally flew and crashed into spectators, killing 83 people.
French racing driver who drove a Mercedes, Pierre Levegh, also died from the incident. About 120 spectators were injured in the fire hit the stands are sourced from the car wreckage.
After the incident, Austin-Healey was confiscated by the French government for 12 months before being returned to the car maker a year later.
The car had moved into the hands of several owners. Current owner bought the car for 155 pounds in 1969. Initially, he wanted to fix the car.
However, the owner fails to repair the car. As a result, Austin-Healey was abandoned in the garage of the owner in the UK for 42 years.
Now, the owners intend to sell it. The car will be auctioned at Bonhams, the UK, today, December 1, 2011.
Prices initially estimated 800 thousand pounds (USD 11.3 billion). However, analysts predict that prices will skyrocket up to 1 million pounds (USD 14.2 billion). Therefore, it is cars that have historical value.
When the race at Le Mans, Austin Healey driven by British driver Lance Macklin. Shortly after the race began, Macklin swerved to avoid a D-type Jaguar car driven by Mike Hawthorn. Macklin avoided because Hawthorn Jaguar cars to brake suddenly to go into the first pit stop.
However, when Macklin swerved, crashed into a Mercedes car Austin Healey flew up and spun into the audience.
Despite the accident, the race continued and eventually became champions Hawthorn. Mercedes team could protest because of race should be stopped.
Macklin was not injured in the accident. As a result of the accident, the safety of the race car more enhanced.
