RM Sotheby’s, Newman/Hass Collection, Lincolnshire, IL, October 29, 2022

Rarely, if ever, does a collection like this come along.

Carl Haas and Paul Newman got together in 1983 when Haas convinced Mario Andretti to join the team, if he could bring Paul Newman into it (or maybe it was the other way around.) Newman, it was noted in the catalog, wasn’t inclined but succumbed to the allure of working with Mario.

A colleague who dealt with Haas in the 70’s refers to him as “Harl Crass”. Enough said.

Nevertheless it all came together and over the next quarter century brought eight championships with drivers as diverse as Mario and Michael Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Christiano da Matta, Christian Fittipaldi and Sebastien Bourdais. The Newman/Haas team was where Bobby Rahal entrusted his son Graham to make his Indy Car debut.

The cars, mostly Haas-distributed Lolas but also Newman/Haas exclusive Swifts, Panoz and modern era Dallaras, defined competitive Indy Cars for years.

Many of the auction cars were pretty but eviscerated carcasses without engines and electronics. Some of the liveries were concocted promotions and there were a few outliers from Carl Haas’s collection: the MG TC, Jag XK 120 and NASCAR Busch stock car. But that’s a diversion from the main theme: a glorious, competitive, in-the-hunt for championships Indy Car team history.

RM Sotheby’s surely is already knocking on Roger Penske’s and Chip Ganassi’s doors, saying, “Look what we can do.”

They did well.

Here are the numbers:

Cars Sold/ Offered Sale % Sold < Low Est Sold > High Est Average Sale Median Sale Total $
44/44 100% 68.2% 13.6% $127,866 $70,000

[54.7%]

$5,626,120

I didn’t attend, but watched online for part of the sale and made condition observations from the online photos.

Photos are ©2022 and courtesy of RM Sotheby’s (no photographer credit is given by RM.)


Lot # 134 1948 MG TC Roadster; S/N TC4977; Engine # XPAG5489; Red/Tan leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $30,000 – $50,000; Older restoration 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $27,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $30,240. – RHD. 1,250/54hp, 4-speed, silver painted wire wheels, Dunlop tires, driver’s outside mirror, fog light, tool roll. – Restored in the early 90’s for Jaguar Rover Triumph, Inc. and still nearly impeccable. Minor creases on the upholstery. Tight-fitting top. Good gauges, dashboard and switches. The carpets have some worn edges and some of the chrome is aging but sound. Neat engine compartment showing little if any use and barely any age. – An incongruous part of this auction made up of high tech single seater race cars and an intriguing insight into the interests and affiliations of Carl Haas. This is a nice little example, well-maintained and little used. It’s worth every penny of the price it brought.

Lot # 135 1954 Jaguar XK 120SE Roadster; S/N S675322 (SEE TEXT); Engine # F1850-8S; Pastel Blue/Dark Blue, Grey leather; Grey cloth top; Estimate $50,000 – $65,000; Older restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $89,600. – 3,442/180hp, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, Avon tires, fender mirrors, Lucas Tri-bar headlights, tool roll. – Restored in 1989, Jaguar class winner at the 1991 Chicago International Concours. Frame stamped S675322, but the (appropriately) aged firewall tag reads S674797 and there is another XK 120 in Europe using the latter chassis number. Barely used since then and still in very good condition. – Like the MG TC, somewhat incongruous in this auction of high tech single seat open wheel race cars. An excellent older restoration with barely any use and scant evidence of age, a sound value even at this over-estimate price and a model that is enjoying new appreciation for its style and performance as well as importance in developing the sports car in the U.S.

Lot # 136 2000 MV Agusta F4 750 Serie Oro Motorcycle; S/N ZCGF400AAXV000278; Silver, Red/Black; Estimate $30,000 – $45,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $29,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $32,480. – 749/126hp 4-cylinder, 6-speed, manuals, tools, cover, stand, original delivery crate. – 278 of 300 built. One owner from new with 86 miles. – A performance tour de force said to be capable of 175mph and beautiful as well, a performance thrill bought for less than the additional dealer markup on a new Ferrari.

Lot # 137 1983 Lola-Cosworth T700 Indy Car; S/N HU2; White, Red, “Budweiser”/Black; Estimate $150,000 – $250,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $170,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $190,400. – Cosworth-Ford DFX turbo V-8, 2,630/700hp turbocharged V-8. – One of three built, two for Newman-Haas. Ground effect with skirts, extensively modified by Newman-Haas engineer Tony Cicale and chief mechanic Darrel Soppe, the first car raced by Newman-Haas. Driven by Mario Andretti to wins at Road America and Caesars Palace, four podium finishes, 3rd in the season championship. All there and marvelously preserved for almost four decades. – Into the red meat of the Carl Haas collection, the team’s first Indy Car, driven by Mario Andretti and fully running. The preparation and preservation of this old war horse is impressive, as is its significance. It is a realistic buy at this price and will always have bragging rights.

Lot # 138 1984 Lola-Cosworth T800 Indy Car; S/N HU2; Red, “Budweiser”/Black; Estimate $500,000 – $800,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $360,000 plus commission of 11.39%; Final Price $401,000. – 2,630/800hp turbocharged Cosworth DFX, black Momo alloy wheels, Bridgestone tires, – CART #423. One of three raced by Newman-Haas. Driven to two wins in 1984 (Meadowlands and Mid-Ohio) by Mario Andretti in his 1984 championship season. Also raced at the Milwaukee Mile and Phoenix. Sold and assigned its present CART number and raced on in 1985 and 1986. Bought back and returned to its 1984 Mario Andretti livery. Static displayed since at least 2014. Worn seat covering, probably from its seasons after Mario. – A Mario Andretti championship car with a running Cosworth DFX, a centerpiece of any Indy Car collection and valued accordingly.

Lot # 139 1985 Lola-Cosworth T900 Indy Car; S/N HU01; Red, “Beatrice”/Black; Estimate $150,000 – $250,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $180,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $201,600. – 2,630/700+hp single turbo Cosworth DFX, Momo 5-spoke alloy wheels, Goodyear tires. – One of three raced by Newman-Haas in 1985, no specific chassis race history. Dull alloy wheels. Static displayed and “pickled” DFX engine. Clean and orderly but aged and neglected. – It is likely that Mario Andretti drove this T900, but any specific race/driver history is unknown. The uncertainty of its specific race/driver history as well as its generally aged and non-running condition makes the price it brought here somewhat generous but not unrealistic.

Lot # 140 1986 Lola-Cosworth T86/00 Indy Car; S/N HU17; Red, “NewmanHaas”/Black; Estimate $150,000 – $250,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $175,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $196,000. – 2,630/700+hp single turbo Cosworth DFX, 5-speed Lola-Hewland gearbox, multi-element rear wing. – Driven by Mario Andretti in 1986, 3rd at Toronto, winner at Pocono, 8th at Montreal, 10th at Michigan, 4th at Phoenix. Retained by Newman-Haas since. Static displayed. – One win, one podium driven by Mario Andretti, a modest but creditable race history for a Mario Andretti car. Unlken many of the cars from Carl Haas’s collection this one has a real engine and gearbox (or at least so they say) and is appropriately valued in this transaction.

Lot # 141 1988 Lola-Chevrolet T88/00 Indy Car; S/N HU18; White, “K-Mart”, “Amoco”/Black; Estimate $150,000 – $250,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $105,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $117,600. – Originally Ilmor-Chevrolet powered, no engine installed, Lola/Hewland transaxle, Lola black alloy centerlock wheels, Goodyear tires. – Driven by Mario Andretti for Newman-Haas in four races, Road America (3rd), Nazareth (3rd), Laguna Seca (3rd) and Miami (dnf). CART #179. A roller with good cosmetics but rusty angle iron supporting the transaxle and rear suspension in lieu of the unobtanium Ilmor-Chevy engine. – Looks pretty but in reality is pretty rough and missing an engine (and probably the transaxle gears) which makes this a rather optimistic result. It will take a major effort to make this T88 into anything other than garage decor.

Lot # 142 1989 Lola-Chevrolet T89/00 Indy Car; S/N HU03; Red, “Budweiser”, “K-Mart”/Black; Estimate $125,000 – $175,000; Competition car, original as-raced 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $39,200. – Set up for a 2.65 litre Ilmor-Chevrolet, Lola/Hewland transaxle, black Lola centerlock wheels, Goodyear tires. – Mario Andretti’s car at Long Beach, finished 18th after being spun by Al Unser, Jr. while leading. Backup car at Phoenix, Indy, Milwaukee and Laguna Seca, then driven in the non-championship “Marlboro Challenge” finishing 5th. Raced as a K-Mart/Amoco car by Andretti, now in later Christian Fittipaldi livery, static displayed for years. No engine, no gauges, CART #200, USAC #954. Tired. – The first of many cars from Carl Haas’s collection offered in display car condition without an engine or cockpit display. Its race history is, aside from being driven by Mario Andretti, lacklustre and it was given short shrift by the discerning auction bidders. It looks pretty, but it has little value other than as a decoration.

Lot # 143 1990 Lola-Chevrolet T90/00 Indy Car; S/N HU06; White, Black “K-Mart”, “Texaco”/Black; Estimate $125,000 – $175,000; Competition car, original as-raced 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $44,800. – Set up for Ilmor-Chevrolet 2.65 litre V-8, Lola-Hewland transaxle, black six-hole Lola centerlock wheels, Goodyear tires, CART #328, USAC #1906, welded-in square tubing engine spacer. – 4th at Phoenix, 5th at Long Beach, 2nd at Mid-Ohio and participated in the Marlboro Challenge with Mario Andretti. 5th at Indy and winner at Mid-Ohio driven by Michael Andretti. 1995 Newman-Haas Michael Andretti livery. No engine, decent paint and stickers, dummy digital dashboard. Tired. – A moderately successful chassis but today reduced to a static display, and priced accordingly.

Lot # 144 1991 Lola-Chevrolet T91/00 Indy Car; S/N HU38; Engine # 265A062; White, Black “K-Mart”, “Havoline”/Brown fiberglass; Estimate $250,000 – $750,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $230,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $257,600. – 2,627/700+hp single turbo Ilmor-Chevrolet 265-A V-8, Lola-Hewland transaxle, black Lola centerlock alloy wheels, Goodyear tires, Pi digital display, includes workshop manual, laptop and cable, speedway aero package. – Winner at Milwaukee driven by Michael Andretti with Mario in 2nd and John in 3rd. DNF at Detroit, Portland and Meadowlands, pole and winner at Vancouver driven by Michael in his championship season. CART #433, USAC #5010. Speedway configuration. Neat, tidy and as-raced. – Well-maintained and a successful, proven race car with a driver’s championship to prove it, this is a better car (and history) than the price it brought reflects. The presence of the laptop computer suggests that the Ilmor-Chevy may still work although 31 years after it was last put to the test the laptop may not.

Lot # 145 1991 Lola-Chevrolet T91/00 Indy Car; S/N HU15; White, Black “K-Mart”, “Havoline”/Black; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $175,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $196,000. – 2,627/700+hp Ilmor-Chevrolet single turbo V-8, Lola-Hewland transaxle, Lola wheels, Goodyear tires, Pi digital dash, road course aero package. – Driven by Michael Andretti to two pole positions at Surfers Paradise and Long Beach. Later driven by Mario Andretti with podium results at Toronto, Nazareth and Mid-Ohio. Later used as the development car for the Ford-Cosworth XB V-8 and sat on the pole for Phoenix 1992. USAC #2061, CART #231. Sharp, orderly and well-preserved in as-raced condition. – Possibly brought back to running/driving condition with much effort, inspection and research, at least it has all its bits and pieces. Driven by both Mario and Michael Andretti and well-preserved, it deserved to be valued at more than the minimal “display car” pre-sale estimate.

Lot # 146 1992 Lola-Ford Cosworth T92/00 Indy Car; S/N HU19; White, Black “K-Mart”, “Texaco”/Black; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $89,600. – Set up for a Ford-Cosworth XB turbocharged V-8, Lola-Hewland transaxle, black Lola alloy wheels, Goodyear tires. – Driven by Michael Andretti for 1992, tested at Indy, completed 189 laps, retired due to fuel pressure while leading. Winner at Milwaukee, 2nd at New Hampshire, pole and winner at Vancouver, pole and DNF at Mid-Ohio, 2nd at Nazareth, pole and winner at Laguna Seca. Tested by Nigel Mansell at the end of the season. No engine. – Another Carl Haas roller chassis with a varied history but driven by Michael Andretti to three wins plus two podiums in only seven races in 1992, a successful car/driver combination. The Mansell history is especially intriguing. It’s garage art, but well-maintained and historic garage art at this price.

Lot # 147 1993 Lola-Ford Cosworth T93/00 Indy Car; S/N HU05; Engine # XB077; White, Black, “K-Mart”, “Havoline”/Black; Estimate $400,000 – $900,000; Competition car, original as-raced 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $900,000 plus commission of 10.56%; Final Price $995,000. – 2,630/700+hp Ford-Cosworth XB turbocharged V-8, Lola-Hewland transaxle, Pi digital display, black 6-spoke alloy wheels, Goodyear tires, comes with workshop manual, laptop, electronic spares, commemorative GBP2 coin and ephemera. – Driven by then-current F1 World Champion Nigel Mansell during his rookie and Indy Car championship year, not coincidentally chassis number 5 bearing Mansell’s famed “Red 5” number. Pole and winner at Surfers Paradise, competed at Indy, won at Milwaukee, pole and 2nd at Portland, retired at Toronto, winner at Michigan, 2nd at Road America, pole and winner at Nazareth. USAC #3056. Clean, sharp, tidy and nearly race-ready with 2006 Goodwood Festival sticker probably indicating its last outing. – This was the “Hero Car” among Carl Haas’s collection, even overshadowing the Andretti-driven cars, and it deserved to be. The effect was not lost on the bidders who took it right to its high estimate. Mansell’s “Red 5” plus being chassis number 05 is a rare and serendipitous combination. And on top of that, it is complete and might even run with sufficient effort and expense. It was the top of the heap, as it deserved to be.

Lot # 148 1994 Lola-Ford Cosworth T94/00 Indy Car; S/N HU02; White, Black “K-Mart”, “Havoline”/Black; Estimate $125,000 – $175,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $78,400. – Set up for Ford-Cosworth XB turbocharged V-8, Lola-Hewland transaxle, black 6-spoke alloy wheels, Goodyear tires, dummy graphic dash display – Early season test car at Phoenix and Firebird. DNF with Mario Andretti at Cleveland, 10th at Mid-Ohio, DNF at New Hampshire. Tested by Nigel Mansell. Unused since then, no engine but a neat square tube spacer to hold it together. IndyCar #068. Chassis tag notes “Showcar Only” and “Severe Damage” for the engine number. – A startlingly unimportant and insignificant race history as well as having no engine and no idea what else is missing or not functioning makes this Newman/Haas Lola remarkably expensive for what it is.

Lot # 149 1994 Lola-Ford Cosworth T94/20 Indy Car; S/N HU20; White, Bblack “K-Mart”, “Texaco”/Black; Estimate $100,000 – $150,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $340,000 plus commission of 11.47%; Final Price $379,000. – Set up for a Ford-Cosworth XB turbocharged V8, sequential transaxle, black alloy wheels, Firestone tires, dummy dashboard display. – Driven by Mario Andretti, 3rd at Surfers Paradise, later raced at Phoenix, Milwaukee, Detroit, Road America and Nazareth during Mario’s last active racing season. Tested at Indy. Square tube engine spacer, Penske shocks, IndyCar #075. Clean and orderly with good cosmetics. – This is a $75,000 garage art roller, except that it’s one of Mario Andretti’s final season mounts and therein is all the substantial value that it brought here in Lincolnshire, Illinois from the Carl Haas collection. It is highly deserved hero worship expressed as monetary value and it isn’t misplaced. “Raced six times by Mario Andretti during his last Indy Car season” is bragging rights and you can argue with the cost of them but not with their appeal.

Lot # 150 1995 Lola-Ford Cosworth T95/00 Indy Car; S/N HU08; White, Black “K-Mart”, “Havoline”/Black; Estimate $50,000 – $75,000; Competition car, original as-raced 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $72,800. – Set up for a Cosworth-Ford XB turbocharged V8, sequential transaxle, black alloy wheels, Goodyear tires. – Driven by Paul Tracy in eight races with two wins and three seconds. IndyCar #184, Now liveried to promote the 1998 Houston Grand Prix. Dusty and neglected. – A modestly successful car in Paul Tracy’s hands in easily recognizable Newman/Haas livery but modestly expensive for a roller.

Lot # 151 1996 Lola-Ford Cosworth T96/00 Indy Car; S/N HU14; Black, “K-Mart”, “Havoline”/Black; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $62,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $70,000. – Set up for a Ford-Cosworth XB turbo V8, sequential gearbox, black alloy wheels, Goodyear tires, dummy dash display. – No engine. Driven by Michael Andretti, winner at Milwaukee, Road America and Vancouver. IndyCar #226. Square tube engine spacer. Neat, orderly and clean like any good old race car should be. – Although it has been stripped of its operating components this T96 is physically largely complete and could be made into a runner. It won’t be a cheap process, but it will be straightforward and is reasonable to contemplate at this price.

Lot # 152 1996 Lola-Ford Cosworth T96/00 Indy Car; S/N HU05; Black, “K-Mart”, “Havoline”/Black; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $67,200. – Set up for a Ford-Cosworth turbocharged V8, sequential transaxle, black Lola alloy wheels, Goodyear tires, dummy dash display. – Used only in two events driven by Michael Andretti but winner of the race at Nazareth. DNF at Surfers Paradise. Square tube engine spacer. IndyCar #242. The left rear tire tread is separating. Good cosmetics and clean, organized and orderly. – Cosmetically and physically sound even though it is missing its propulsion and electronics. It will be an attractive and reasonably priced piece of garage art.

Lot # 153 1997 Swift-Ford 007.i Indy Car; S/N 006; Red, “K-Mart”, “Budweiser”/Black; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $47,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $53,200. – Set up for the Ford-Cosworth XD turbo V-8, dummy dash display, black BBS wheels, Firestone tires. – The Swift 007.i was driven by Michael Andretti to win its first race at Homestead. It never won again. Swift, which was successful in junior formulae, was backed by Panasonic heir Hiro Matsushita in developing its Indy Cars and employed an unusual canted transaxle that opened up more room for undercar airflow. This car was driven by Christian Fittipaldi to 4th at Road America and Roberto Moreno to 10th at Milwaukee. Super Speedway configuration, no engine. Square tubing engine spacer. CART #057. Good cosmetics – The first of ten Swift Indy Cars in this sale, four from the marque’s first year in 1997 and three each from 1998 and 1999, basically the entire Swift inventory. Initially successful in its first race, the aerodynamic feature that contributed to it was quickly discerned and replicated by competitors. It is an odd venture that yielded no significant results, but looks good on display.

Lot # 154 1997 Swift-Ford 007.i Indy Car; S/N 005; Black, “K-Mart”, “Havoline”/Black; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $47,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $53,200. – Set up for the Cosworth-Ford XD turbo V-8, sequential transaxle, black BBS wheels, Goodyear tires, dummy dashboard display. – No Engine. One of six built, four offered here. Driven in six of the 1997 CART events by Michael Andretti scoring a podium finish at Surfers Paradise before others figured out Swift’s aerodynamic tweaks and caught up. Road course bodywork. CART #047. Good cosmetics, clean and well-preserved. – A dead end diversion by Newman/Haas from the first of three unsuccessful years with Swift chassis. Garage art for a garage art price.

Lot # 155 1997 Swift-Ford 007.i Indy Car; S/N 003; Black, “K-Mart”, “Havoline”/Black; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $44,800. – Set up for Cosworth XD turbo V-8, sequential transaxle, black BBS wheels, Firestone tires, dummy dash display. – No engine. Super speedway configuration. No racing history of note but driven by Michael Andretti throughout 1997. CART #017. Good cosmetics, orderly, clean chassis. – The third of ten Swifts being sold here, buyers’ ennui was swiftly [sic] setting in as the lack of success and sameness began to manifest itself.

Lot # 156 1997 Swift-Ford 007.i Indy Car; S/N 007; Engine #;, /; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $37,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $42,000. – Set up for a Cosworth XD turbo V8, Hewland sequential transaxle, black BBS wheels, Goodyear tires, no cockpit display. – No engine. Road course configuration. Square tube engine spacer. No race history. Good cosmetics. Clean, well-maintained chassis. – Although the Swift is competently designed and constructed it was unsuccessful even with the Newman/Haas team behind it and Michael Andretti in the cockpit. Today it is no more than a curiousity and did well to sell for this much.

Lot # 157 1998 Swift-Ford 009.c Indy Car; S/N 004; Black, “K-Mart”, “Havoline”, “Duracell”/Black; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $39,200. – Set up for Cosworth Ford XB turbo V8 with a sequential transaxle, black BBS alloy wheels, Firestone tires. – No engine. CART #136. Raced by Michael Andretti in seven of the 19 races. 5th at Rio, 6th at Michigan, pole at Road America but tire failure left him 15th at the finish. Tidy square tubing engine spacer. Good cosmetics, clean well-maintained chassis. Displayed for many years but well-maintained. – Success in junior formulae was hoped to propel Swift into competitive performances in Indy Car. It didn’t happen although Michael Andretti came close at Road America with pole position and running second to Alex Zanardi until a flat tire put him out of contention.

Lot # 158 1998 Swift-Ford 009.c Indy Car; S/N 003; Black, “K-Mart”, “Duracell”/Black; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $39,200. – Set up for Cosworth XD Turbo V-8, sequential transaxle, BBS wheels, Firestone tires. – No engine. Actively raced by Christian Fittipaldi and occasionally by Roberto Moreno in 11 of 19 races but without significant results other than a 3rd at Surfers Paradise by Fittipaldi. Good cosmetics and well-maintained chassis. – Another Newman/Haas Swift with lacklustre race history and no engine or electronics. By now Swift ennui was in full force.

Lot # 159 1998 Swift-Ford 009.c Indy Car; S/N 001; Black, “Havoline”, “K-Mart”, “Duracell”/Black; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $32,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $36,400. – Set up for a Cosworth XB turbo V-8, sequential transaxle, Lola 6-spoke wheels, Goodyear tires, dummy dash display. – No engine. Square tubing engine spacer. CART #150. Only one race, driven by Michael Andretti at Long Beach to a DNF. Tested extensively but tested extensively by Andretti, Christian Fittipaldi and Roberto Moreno. Good display car cosmetics and a clean, orderly, well-maintained chassis and suspension. – A string of decent placings showed that the Newman/Haas Swifts were good race cars, just not great race cars. By this time in the auction (this was the seventh Swift in a row to cross the block) interest in them was flagging and showing in their prices.

Lot # 160 1999 Swift-Ford 010.c Indy Car; S/N 012; Black, “Big K-Mart”, “Duracell”/Black; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $28,000. – Set up for a Cosworth XB turbo V-8, sequential transaxle, BBS wheels, Firestone tires, Brembo brakes. – No engine. Square tube engine spacer. Ran ten races in 1999 with Christian Fittipaldi, winner at Elkhart Lake, 3rd at Rio and Fontana. Good cosmetics, well-maintained chassis and suspension. CART #0411. – This Swift had a solid race history during Christian Fittipaldi’s injury-shortened 1999 CART season. It might have done better but for being the eighth of ten Swifts in a row and is arguably a good value at this price even without an engine.

Lot # 161 1999 Swift-Ford 010.c Indy Car; S/N 015; Black, “Havoline”, “Big K-Mart”, “Duracell”/Black; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $22,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $25,200. – Set up for Cosworth XD/XF turbo V8, sequential transaxle, BBS wheels, Firestone tires – No engine, square tubing engine spacer. Not raced, a test car only. Good cosmetics, clean, shiny tub, chassis and suspension. – The ninth of the ten Swift Indy Cars in this auction, the end of this segment is swiftly approaching which must have been a relief.

Lot # 162 1999 Swift-Ford 010.c Indy Car; S/N 003; Black, “Big K-Mart”, “Duracell” /; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $22,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $25,200. – Set up for Cosworth XB/XF turbo V-8, sequential transaxle, BBS wheels, Firestone tires, dummy dash display. – No engine, square tubing engine spacer. Raced ten times in 1999 with two podiums driven by Christian Fittipaldi and one by Roberto Moreno. Good cosmetics and well-maintained over many years on display. – The last Swift from the Newman/Haas collection. Whew!

Lot # 163 2000 Lola-Ford B2K/00 Indy Car; S/N HU09; Black, “Havoline”, “Big K-Mart”/Black; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $33,600. – Set up for the Cosworth XF turbocharged V-8, sequential transaxle, BBS black alloy wheels, Bridgestone tires, CART #0506 – No engine. High downforce configuration. Used in ten races driven by Michael Andretti, 2nd at Michigan, top-five at Portland and Cleveland in the first year for Newman-Haas’s return to Lola chassis after three disappointing years with Swift. Scratched square tubing engine spacer, no instruments, switches or dashboard/steering wheel display. Scuffed tire sidewalls. Generally orderly but aged. – Newman/Haas went back to Lolas for the 2000 season, achieving moderate success. This result is similarly moderate, but bidders’ attitudes may still have been tinged with the flavor of the ten Swifts that had been offered before.

Lot # 164 2000 Lola-Ford B2K/00 Indy Car; S/N HU03; Engine # XFE099; Black, “Big K-Mart”, “Texaco”, “Havoline”/Black; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $92,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $103,600. – Set up for a Ford-Cosworth XF turbocharged V-8, sequential transaxle, BBS alloy wheels, Bridgestone tires, Momo steering wheel with rev indicator and switches, CART #0501 – Display engine installed. Competed in ten races driven by Michael Andretti, wins at Twin-Ring Motegi and Toronto, 2nd at Chicago and Milwaukee. Good cosmetics, clean and professional chassis and drivetrain. – With two wins and a pair of seconds this was a fairly successful Lola, and it has a display engine rather than a fabricated spacer in the engine bay which makes it a better show car. That utility and attractiveness shows in the superior result it brought.

Lot # 165 2000 Lola-Ford B2K/00 Indy Car; S/N HU07; Black, “Big K-Mart” /; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $39,200. – Set up for a Ford-Cosworth XF turbocharged V-8, sequential transaxle, black BBS wheels, Bridgestone tires, Momo steering wheel, no steering wheel controls, readouts or dashboard, CART #0538. – No engine, square tube engine spacer. Fontana configuration. Raced by Christian Fittipaldi in twelve of 20 races, 7th at Homestead, 3rd at Mid-Ohio, winner at Fontana. Good cosmetics and tidy chassis and suspension. – Less complete than the ex-Michael Andretti Lola-Ford sold just before it and not a winner; it’s not surprising that it went away for far less than the prior one.

Lot # 166 2001 Lola-Toyota B01/00 Indy Car; S/N HU09; Black, “Big K-Mart”, “Texaco”, “Havoline”/Black; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $78,400. – Toyota RV8E turbocharged V-8, sequential transaxle, black BBS wheels, Bridgestone tires, CART #0606 – Display engine. Driven by Christiano da Matta in nine events. Winner at Surfers Paradise, 2nd at Long Beach. Good cosmetics, professional chassis and suspension but no dashboard or steering wheel electronics. – Newman/Haas’s first year with Toyota power, modestly successful as well as well-maintained and nicely presented with a display Toyota engine for effect. The result here is a bit generous for its incomplete condition.

Lot # 167 2001 Lola-Toyota B01/00 Indy Car; S/N HU16; Black, “Havoline”, “K-Mart”, “Texaco”/Black; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $52,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $58,800. – Set up for a Toyota RV8E turbocharged V-8, sequential transaxle, black BBS wheels, Firestone tires, Momo steering wheel without readouts or switches, CART #0616. – No engine, square tube engine spacer, speedway wings and setup. Driven by Christian de Matta in 11 events with a win at Monterrey, Mexico. Returned in 2005 driven by Bruno Junqueira with a win at Monterrey and 3rd at Long Beach. Oriol Servia drove it to 2nd place finishes at Edmonton and Las Vegas and a win at Montreal. Good cosmetics and tidy chassis and suspension. – An unusually successful Indy Car, raced four years apart with wins in both seasons. As a display car it is let down by not having even a display engine, however, a shortcoming that is reflected in the price it brought.

Lot # 168 2002 Lola-Toyota B02/00 Indy Car; S/N HU20; Engine # 2462; Black, “Chevron”/Black; Estimate $200,000 – $600,000; Competition car, original as-raced 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $200,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $224,000. – Toyota RV8G turbocharged V-8, 2,650/800hp, 7-speed Lola sequential transaxle, black BBS wheels, Bridgestone tires, Momo steering wheel with readouts and switches, workshop manual, laptop, cable, some spares, engine shipping crate, CART #077 – Driven by Christiano da Matta to wins at Chicago, Toronto and Miami. 2nd at Rockingham in the UK and at Mexico City concluding a championship season for him, Newman/Haas and for Lola. Raced in 2003 by Sebastien Bourdais at St. Pete where he took pole position. Professionally preserved and one of the best of this collection. – This is far more car and racing history than the price it brought. It indicates that Lola-Toyota just doesn’t have the cachet attached to it that Lola-Ford or -Cosworth does. Neither does Christiano da Matta, despite his CART championship, or Sebastien Bourdais, despite his CART championships, ring the same bell as Mario or Michael Andretti. This car, even at that, should have brought more, particularly with its complete, running Toyota drivetrain and it is a very good value in this transaction.

Lot # 169 2004 Lola-Cosworth-Ford B01/00 Indy Car; S/N 0114; Engine # XFE042; Red, Yellow “McDonald’s”/Black; Estimate $250,000 – $400,000; Competition car, original as-raced 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $150,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $168,000. – Cosworth-Ford XFE turbocharged V-8, Lola/Hewland 6-speed sequential transaxle, black BBS alloy wheels, Bridgestone tires, instrumented steering wheel, CART #0614, workshop manuals, laptop, cable. – Road course configuration. Run by Newman-Haas in 2001 for Christian Fittipaldi with Toyota RV8 power. Brought back 2004 for Sebastien Bourdais with Cosworth XFE engines scoring five wins (Monterrey, Portland, Toronto, Las Vegas and Mexico City) in his 13 races with this car and winning the first of his four ChampCar titles. 2005 exhibition McDonald’s livery. Slick professional presentation. – Four wins in Sebastien Bourdais’ first of four CART titles? Complete and (at least nominally) running? The bidders may have been exhausted, fatigued and confused. This is way more car than the money it brought.

Lot # 170 2005 Lola-Cosworth-Ford B05/00 Indy Car; S/N HU01; Engine # XFE045; Red, White, Yellow “McDonald’s”/Black; Estimate $250,000 – $400,000; Competition car, original as-raced 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $180,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $201,600. – Cosworth-Ford XFE turbocharged V-8, 6-speed sequential transaxle, black BBS wheels (catalog says O.Z. wheels), Bridgestone tires, instrumented steering wheel, CART #0908, workshop manuals, laptop, cable. – Raced by Sebastien Bourdais to his second ChampCar championship with three wins at San Jose, Denver and Surfers Paradise. Preserved pretty much as it was at Surfers Paradise, clean and appears race-ready (even if it needs comprehensive checking and attention.) – A three-time CART winner, part of a championship season, with a complete drivetrain. This is a solid value with a row of pole and race winner stickers on the body. It could have easily brought more and is seriously undervalued based on its race history.

Lot # 171 2006 Lola-Cosworth-Ford B02/00 Indy Car; S/N HU03; Engine # XFE057; Red, Yellow “McDonald’s”/Black; Estimate $250,000 – $400,000; Competition car, original as-raced 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $175,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $196,000. – Cosworth-Ford XFE turbocharged V-8, 6-speed sequential transaxle, black BBS wheels, Bridgestone tires, workshop manuals, laptop, cable and race/practice history, CART #0713 – A 2002 Lola chassis with Toyota RV8 power where it was driven by Christian Fittipaldi to two 2nds (Mid-Ohio and Miami) and two 3rds (Monterrey and Toronto). Raced in 2003 with Cosworth power by Bourdais (1st at Lausitzring), then by Bruno Junqueira to a win at Denver and two 3rds at Cleveland and Toronto. In 2004 Junqueira had wins at Montreal and Surfers Paradise plus 2nds at Long Beach and Laguna Seca and 3rd at Denver. Took a gap year in 2005, then resurrected for 2006 and driven by Bourdais to three wins at Milwaukee, Montreal and Mexico City plus 3rd at Toronto and Road America for a total of 7 wins, 5 poles and 18 podiums. Complete with a Cosworth-Ford, professionally preserved and nearly impeccable. – This is an incredibly long-lived Indy Car, raced successfully from 2002-2006, a throwback to the ’40’s, 50’s and 60’s when Roadsters were resurrected year after year and technical progress stalled. It’s not fabled ancient history but is a good hedge at this price.

Lot # 172 2007 DP01-Cosworth Indy Car; S/N DP01021; Engine # XF9177; Red, Yellow “McDonald’s”/Black; Estimate $250,000 – $400,000; Competition car, original as-raced 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $210,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $235,200. – Ford-Cosworth XFE turbocharged V-8, six-speed sequential transaxle, steering wheel readouts and controls, black BBS wheels, Bridgestone tires, workshop manual, laptop, cable. – 10 starts, six wins (Long Beach, Houston, Portland, Zolder (Belgium), Surfers Paradise and Mexico City) driven by Sebastien Bourdais in 2007, his fourth Indycar championship, Newman-Haas’s 8th. Retired in favor of the new spec chassis Dallara in 2008. Professionally preserved (and pickled) with excellent cosmetics. – If this were a Major League Baseball team six wins in ten races would be a.600 average. No wonder Bourdais took his fourth CART championship. It is appropriately valued in this transaction and will mellow in later years as its (and Bourdais’) superb record settles into the history books. It was bought, like a quality vintage wine, before its time has matured and has significant upside potential.

Lot # 173 2007 DP01-Cosworth Indy Car; S/N DP01026; White, Black “Hole in the Wall Gang”/Chamois; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $102,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $114,800. – Set up for a Cosworth-Ford XFE turbocharged V-8, 6-speed automanual transaxle, Momo steering wheel with no indicators or switches, no dashboard display, scratched black BBS wheels, Bridgestone-badged Firestone tires. – No engine, square tubing engine spacer. Driven by Graham Rahal in 2007 in 10 of 14 races. 2nd at Houston, podium finishes at Edmonton, Road America and Zolder. Tidy, clean and professionally preserved. – A roller with “Hole in the Wall Gang Camp” livery evocative of none of its track history. Its highest and best use is at the original Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for kids to climb on and learn about mechanics and aerodynamics. This is a seriously generous price.

Lot # 174 2007 Dallara-Honda IR-05 Indy Car; S/N 006; Red, “McDonald’s”/Black; Estimate $50,000 – $75,000; Competition car, original as-raced 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $89,600. – Set up for a Honda turbocharged V-8, 6-speed automanual transaxle, black O.Z. wheels, Firestone tires, leather rim steering wheel, no steering wheel controls or dashboard, – Honda display engine. Driven by Justin Wilson to win the Detroit Grand Prix in 2008. Later raced without significant result by Graham Rahal, Robert Doornbos, Hideki Muto and James Hinchcliffe eventually compiling a total of 28 races. Peeling old paint. Gearbox controller says “Bad Junk”. Worn steering wheel with peeling covering. Orderly but aged chassis and suspension. – Nasty, neglected and stripped except for the dummy Honda engine but with one win to its credit. Its result here is difficult to comprehend except that the end of the Newman/Haas treasure trove was approaching and it was time to buy or go home empty handed.

Lot # 175 2007 Ford Fusion NASCAR Busch; S/N RH200770; Engine # RYR1016; Red/Black cloth; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $37,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $42,000. – Roush Ford V8, 4-speed, Ronnie Hopkins chassis, AutoMeter gauges, Richardson seat, fire system, Mallory electronic ignition. – Driven by Kyle Krisiloff in 2007, best finish 5th at Talladega and 6th at Montreal. As it came off the track for the last time, with a quick repaint and no livery. “Hoosier” on the spoiler but Goodyears on the wheels. – Reasonably tidy but irrelevant when hero drivers’ Cup cars can be had for barely more than half this price. This result is important only for being expensive.

Lot # 176 2008 Dallara-Honda IR-05 Indy Car; S/N 016; Blue, “Telemundo”/Black; Estimate $50,000 – $75,000; Competition car, original as-raced 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $39,200. – Set up for a Honda turbo V-8, AutoManual transaxle, black O.Z. Racing wheels, Firestone tires, Sparco steering wheel with no switches or indicators, no dashboard display, signed wing endplate – Honda show engine. Driven by Graham Rahal in 2009 in seven races with two top-10s. Later driven by Hideki Muto and Oriol Servia through 2011. Servia’s Telemundo livery. Orderly and well-preserved but not loved. – Stripped of reusable electronics and fitted with a show engine, it is surprising that it brought this much.

Lot # 177 2008 Dallara-Honda IR-05 Indy Car; S/N 001; Black, “Hole in the Wall Camps”/Black; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition car, original as-raced 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $67,200. – Honda turbocharged V-8, 6-speed AutoManual transaxle, black O.Z. wheels, Firestone tires, Momo steering wheel with no controls or readouts, – Show engine. Driven by Graham Rahal in 2008 in 16 races, winner at St. Pete. Driven by Rahal in 10 events in 2009 and by Hideki Mutoh in the 2010 Indy 500 without significant results. Aged and mute without a working engine or electronics. – The last car in the Carl Haas collection of Newman/Haas team cars and in many ways with its Hole in the Wall Camps livery emblematic of the cooperation between Haas and Paul Newman through decades of racing. It’s just garage art with its show engine, but also is modestly successful. It is a fitting bookmark on the Carl Haas/Paul Newman collaboration.

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Comments

  1. Reply

    Hi Rick, thanks for another great auction report! Curiosity enough, lot #138, has already been consigned for Mecum Kissimmee 2023. I wonder why after less than 2 weeks of ownership it would be brought to another auction. Looking forwards to reading your reports from the January auctions, Bennett.

      • rickcarey1
      • November 16, 2022
      Reply

      Hi, Bennett,
      Keep in mind that Mecum Auctions has sponsored cars in the Indy 500 several times. I’d speculate that this Mario Andretti championship season Lola-Cosworth with a full running drivetrain was probably bought by someone associated with Mecum Auctions and is being “consigned” to Kissimmee as a spectator attraction. It’s good marketing and lets a car collecting hobby be written off as a business promotion expense.

        • Bennett DiMeo
        • November 17, 2022
        Reply

        Thanks for that insight! I had not thought about that.

    • Sterling Brundick
    • December 6, 2022
    Reply

    Regarding the Maserati 200 SI, #2401 – you are missing a little information on the car’s previous owners. My Dad owned that car at one time, just for a few years. I would say somewhere in the late 1960’s to early 1970’s. F. W. Brundick III, Jacksonville, Florida. I was a small child at the time but I remember the car like it was yesterday. He “raced” it several times in what is called a “gymkhana” – a race against the clock.

      • rickcarey1
      • December 6, 2022
      Reply

      Sterling,
      Thank you for this addition to s/n 2401’s history, although why you placed it at this auction — where it never appeared — instead of its last auction at Gooding Amelia in 2015 is a mystery.
      Now another question. You were “a small child at the time” of your father’s ownership. What makes you certain it was this car, s/n 2401?
      Rick

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