• Secured pole position and fastest lap at the 1984 24 Hours of Le Mans, eventually finishing 8th overall
• Consequently campaigned in 1985 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing 7th overall
• Overall winner of the 1984 Kyalami 1000 Kilometres, the penultimate round of the 1984 World Sportscar Championship (WSC) season
• One of only nine LC2 chassis constructed for the WSC seasons 1983 to 1986
• Entered in six WSC events in 1984, and a further three in 1985
• The most fascinating period history of any LC2 offered at auction in recent years
• Prepped by United Autosports and ideally suited to Historic Group C events

Throughout the history of international sportscar racing, few eras are remembered as fondly as Group C, which prevailed from 1982 until 1992. Similarly, few Group C cars evoke such emotion as the Lancia LC2––a glorious blend of Dallara-led chassis design and construction, and spectacularly powerful Ferrari V-8 turbocharged engines developed by Maranello design guru, Nicola Materazzi.

Remarkably, just nine chassis were produced across the four-year LC2 programme. This car––chassis 0005––made its race debut at the 1984 Monza 1000 Kilometres, then the opening round of the World Sportscar Championship (WSC). Drivers Riccardo Patrese and Bob Wollek qualified 4th before a fire around two-thirds distance ushered the car into retirement. The race was dominated by the Rothmans Porsche team, with the sister LC2 of Mauro Baldi and Paolo Barilla finishing a distant 3rd.

After an encouraging pole position at the Silverstone 1000 Kilometres in mid-May––albeit one followed by another retirement––chassis 0005 was entered for Le Mans. The promising Formula 2 driver Alessandro Nannini was paired with Wollek on this occasion. A blistering lap from the Italian secured the car’s second pole position in two races, his effort more than three seconds clear of teammates Baldi, Barilla, and Hans Heyer, and almost nine seconds faster than the 3rd-placed Joest Porsche. A series of minor problems restricted chassis 0005 to an 8th-place finish, and the small consolation of being first non-Porsche home.

That year’s WSC season continued with chassis 0005 qualifying 11th for the Brands Hatch 1000 Kilometres—only to withdraw from the race with engine failure—and finishing 3rd at Imola. The car’s season ended on a high with victory in the Kyalami 1000 Kilometres, courtesy of Patrese and Nannini. Lancia took 2nd place in the Teams’ Championship at the year’s end.

Duly upgraded, chassis 0005 was retained by Lancia’s Works outfit for 1985, and this car's WSC season commenced at Monza. Wollek and Baldi qualified the car 2nd to teammates Patrese and Nannini, although an altercation with Surer’s winning Porsche regrettably heralded the Franco-Italian pair’s retirement in that race.

Once again, chassis 0005 took pole position for the third round of the Championship at Silverstone courtesy of Patrese and Nannini. Lancia’s run of three poles in three races underlined their greatly improved pace. However, the race told a familiar story, with the Works Porsches once again prevailing, and chassis 0005 salvaging a valiant 3rd place at the flag. Appropriately, the car’s WSC swansong would be at Le Mans, where it was driven by Baldi and four-time victor, Henri Pescarolo. Having qualified 6th, the pair drove a measured race to finish 7th overall; Porsche once again secured the first five places, ahead of the sister LC2 in 6th.

Following the conclusion of its competitive career, chassis 0005 remained in a private collection until its acquisition by the vendor in 2016. During their ownership, it has been maintained by World Endurance Championship team, United Autosports. Boasting spectacular performance, a fascinating race history, and arguably the most evocative of all racing liveries, chassis 0005 perfectly encapsulates the magic of Group C racing. As such, it would undoubtedly be the star of any collection—or indeed any race, or demonstration—in which it was to feature.

Lancia LC1 #005 Results       RaceDateEntrantRace NumberDriverQualifyingOverall FinishClass Finish1000 Kilometres of Monza24 April1984Martini Racing4Patrese/Wolleck4thDNFDNF1000 Kilometres of Silverstone13 May 1984Martini Racing4Patrese/Wolleck1stDNFDNF24 Hours of Le Mans16/17 June 1984Martini Racing4Walleck/Nannini1st8th8thDRM NorisringJuly 1, 1984Martini Racing4Nannini2ndDNFDNFNorisring Trophäe1 July 1984Martini Racing4Nannini2nd8th8th1000 Kilometres of Brands Hatch29 July 1984Martini Racing6 Martini/Barilla/Wollek11thDNSDNS1000 Kilometres of Kyalami3 November 1984Martini Racing4Patrese/Nannini2nd1st1st1000 Kilometres of Monza28 April 1985Martini Racing5Wolleck/Baldi2ndDNFDNF1000 Kilometres of Silverstone12 May 1985Martini Racing4Patrese/Nannini1st3rd3rd24 Hours of Le Mans15/16 June 1985Martini Racing5 Pescarolo/Baldi6th7th7thDRM NorisringJune 29, 1985Martini Racing4Nannini3rd8th8thNorisring Trophäe30 June 1985Martini Racing4Nannini8th6th6th

Please note this lot has entered the EU on a temporary import bond, which must be cancelled either by exporting the lot outside of the EU on an approved Bill of Lading with supporting customs documentation or by paying the applicable VAT and import duties to have the lot remain in the EU.

Veuillez noter que ce lot a été introduit dans l'UE avec un cautionnement d'importation temporaire, qui devra être soldé par réexportation hors de l'UE avec un connaissement (bon de chargement) accompagné de ses documents douaniers, ou par paiement de la TVA et des droits de douane applicables s'il doit demeurer dans l'UE.

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/lm23.