1952 Gordini Type 15S barquette

Likely used as the spare car; the chassis was registered in August 1947 and driven by Troubetzkoy at Perpignan.

Operated as a factory works entry throughout its single-seater and early barquette career; chassis was rebuilt and renumbered in 1952 at the Gordini workshop on Boulevard Victor, Paris.

Leased the car from Gordini for the start of the 1952 season, with the arrangement concluding at the Swiss Grand Prix in Bern.

Purchased from Gordini for 2,600,000 Francs; car was repainted in Irish green with an orange band and registered as RIK-939; delivery took place at Goodwood in August 1953.

Dublin-based buyer found through a failed SCCA advertisement; had the car repainted sky blue and competed in a small number of events including a hillclimb.

Owner of Antique Automobiles garage in Baston; advertised the car in the October 1967 issue of a motoring magazine but apparently did not sell it promptly.

Car collector from Farnham, England; acquired the Gordini but did not use it; eventually advertised it for sale in early 1978.

Gordini enthusiast from near Le Mans; purchased the car for the equivalent of 50,000 Francs after Amédée Gordini personally accompanied him to inspect it; took formal possession on the day of Gordini's death in May 1979.

Car used in a development or test role for Wimille; fitted with a 1,220cc engine.

Wimille substituted into this car after crashing the team's other entry in practice; ran as high as 2nd before retiring on lap 57.

Fangio's early Gordini outing ended in retirement.

Behra also finished 3rd in the final of the same event.

Co-driven by Henri de Clarens under the pseudonym Charles Rinen; retired at 18:20.

Shown on Luigi Chinetti's stand at the Grand Central Palace from 4–12 April 1953 in an attempt to find a buyer.

Entered by Captain Marceau Crespin; reached 118.5 mph on the main straight before retiring at 20:42.

Handicap race entered by the Gordini Team; finished ahead of Maseratis, Porsches, Aston Martins, OSCAs, and Jaguars.

Co-driven by Cahill; first competitive outing under Irish ownership.

Engine fitted with four Amal carburetors for the 1954 season.

One of a small number of events contested under Colonel Burk's ownership.

Between the 1952 and 1953 seasons the steering, pedals, and dashboard were moved from left- to right-hand drive, a right-side door was added, a windscreen and navy blue leather seats were fitted, and the bodywork was repainted sky blue.

Following return from the Swiss Grand Prix, the single-seater was completely disassembled at the Gordini works in Paris. Type 15S-specific components were welded to the chassis, a new barchetta body was fitted, the car was renumbered '18', given a new engine (Type 18, number 21), and re-registered on 12 June 1952.

Address: 69/71 Boulevard Victor, Paris.

Following purchase by Irish owners, the bodywork was repainted dark green with an orange lower stripe in the colours of Ireland.

The 1,491cc Type 18 engine (number 25) was examined and certified by an ACO-approved inspector ahead of the 1953 Le Mans 24 Hours; the chassis number was verified on 9 June.

Engine modified with four Amal carburettors for the 1954 racing season.

At the time of inspection before purchase, the car was found to be non-running but largely unmodified; the only known alterations were replacement rear brake drums and a front suspension component, with the lower fly-screen missing.

Assessment carried out in England in the presence of Amédée Gordini and Christian Huet.

Colonel John Burk had the car repainted sky blue after acquiring it.