Fangio's daily driver goes to auction

UPDATE! New info and pics on a very special 70s saloon

By Matt Bird / Wednesday, 9 October 2013 / Loading comments

Have you ever heard of an IKA Torino? No, neither had we until this morning, but it turns out one particular Torino is actually quite an important car.

Buy it for the significance, not the style!

The rather innocuous saloon see you here was the daily driver of Juan Manuel Fangio, and it will be auctioned next month. And why would Fangio drive around in a 1970 Torino 380S rather than the plethora of supercars that he could have also owned?

Well IKA was an Argentinean manufacturer, and Fangio lent a hand in the development of the Torino along with his old chum Battista 'Pinin' Farina. The company was formed in 1966 through an agreement with Industrias Kaiser Argentina and American Motors Corporation. Fangio was given this Torino as thanks for his contribution to the Torino project.

Just 1,558 were made between 1968 and 1970. Fangio used his Torino until 1974, when he was appointed President of Mercedes-Benz Argentina and so wasn't able to drive his IKA any longer.

Fangio's race licence is still inside

The car hasn't been touched since Fangio's death in 1995. It could therefore do with a cosmetic refresh but it's described by Silverstone Auctions as 'mechanically sound, albeit we would recommend having the car professionally inspected should you fancy your hand at emulating some of the impressive driving displayed in the career of its famous past-owner.'

Placing a value an obscure saloon owned by such a legendary racer is near impossible, especially with the car will be offered without reserve. It will be sold at the Lancaster Insurance NEC Classic Motor Show on 15th/16th November. We'll hedge our bets and say it will probably make less than the £19.6m his Mercedes W196 made at the Festival of Speed!

[Source:Autoevolution, Silverstone Auctions]