 Resplendent in red |
 Lagonda M45 in action at Le Mans |
One of the stars of the 13th Le Mans endurance race is to be auctioned by H&H in its sale on 27 July at Buxton, Derbyshire.
Prepared by London dealers Fox and Nicholl and driven by Benjafield and Gunter, the 4.5 litre Lagonda M45 Rapide Team car led the 1935 race at La Sarthe for some time before dropping down the order with gearbox problems.
Even though the sister car of Hindmarsh and Fontes went on to achieve an historic victory, the Lagonda company sadly failed to capitalise on its success and went into receivership just one month later, making this M45 especially rare and desirable.
Resplendent in red coachwork, BPK 203 is offered in fine order and carries an estimate of £280,000-£350,000. H&H managing director Simon Hope said, "Early Le Mans team cars very rarely come to market, but it is a particular privilege to be able to offer one driven by Dr Benjafield, a true icon of pre-war motorsport."
One of the Bentley Boys, Joseph Dudley Benjafield was born in Edmonton and qualified as a doctor in 1912. His first love was boats, but he purchased a Bentley in the early 20s and so began the career of one of the greatest race drivers of the time. ‘Benjy’s’ finest hour was winning the infamous 1927 Le Mans race with Sammy Davis.
Another of Benjafield’s many claims to fame was the formation of the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC), which these days owns and runs the Silverstone race circuit and hosts the British Grand Prix.
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