RM Sotheby’s Entrusted to Sell the Graham Hill Collection

RM Sotheby’s is honoured to announce that it will sell the remarkable Graham Hill Collection at its upcoming London sale on 4 November. Graham Hill redefined the term’ sporting legend’; a man almost as well-known for his personality as his record-breaking career and a character with endless charm and spectacular ability.

From the earliest days, Hill’s talent behind the wheel was evident, and in 1958, Hill was driving as part of Lotus’ Formula 1 debut season at the top tier. Hill’s remarkable career saw him race as a Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, BRM, Lotus, Brabham, and Matra-Simca factory driver.

Important Trophies

Amongst the most significant items within the sale is Hill’s 1962 FIA Drivers’ World Champion Trophy, awarded upon winning his first Drivers’ World Championship in a BRM P578. This trophy marks a significant point of Hill’s extraordinary career, and it is believed that this is the first time an FIA Formula 1 World Championship trophy has been offered publicly, so it represents a unique and perhaps unrepeatable opportunity to acquire a critical piece of motor racing history (Estimate: £25,000 – £35,000).

Hill is notable for his remarkable five victories in Monte Carlo, earning him the name ‘Mr. Monaco’. Therefore, it is significant that the family offers his 1969 Monaco Grand Prix 1st-Place Trophy, his final victory in the principality. It is also believed to be the first time a Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix 1st-Place trophy has been offered publicly for sale (Estimate: £25,000 – £50,000).

And for Monaco fans, the 1965 Monaco Grand Prix Fastest Lap Trophy is another hugely important item. The trophy was awarded to Hill during his clean sweep of the 1965 Monaco Grand Prix weekend, achieving pole position, fastest lap, and race victory (Estimate: £5,000 – £8,000).

Also offered is the 1968 Mexican Grand Prix 1st-Place Trophy, the race victory that captured Hill’s second Drivers’ World Championship and Lotus’ third Constructors’ World Championship, with its fabled 49 Grand Prix car, adorned in iconic Gold Leaf colours, making the item essential for the British constructor (Estimate: £15,000 – £25,000).

The 1962 South African Grand Prix 1st-Place Trophy offered from within the collection celebrates the victory that secured Graham Hill’s and BRM’s first World Championship and represents another defining moment in both the driver’s and constructor’s history (Estimate: £15,000 – £25,000).

The 1972 24 Hours of Le Mans Winner’s Moët & Chandon Trophy is of particular significance, as it celebrates the victory that made Graham Hill the only Triple Crown of Motorsport winner. Driving the Equipe Matra-Simca Shell, partnered with Henri Pescarolo to debut the Matra-Simca MS670.

It was a stunning victory with ten laps in hand, with Hill lifting this beautiful glass Moët & Chandon trophy on the podium, and it is undoubtedly one of the finest pieces of Le Mans memorabilia ever to come to auction (Estimate: £20,000 – £30,000).

Period Bell Formula 1 Helmet and Overalls

There are very few helmet liveries motor racing fans worldwide would instantly recognise—but the Hill family colours are one of them. In an era where drivers often opted for a single helmet colour or a version of their school tie, Hill’s loyalty to his rowing club saw him carry the design from one sport to another.

The design would become world famous again when his son Damon appeared on the Formula 1 grid with the same design, making history as the first family to have two generations of Formula 1 World Champions.

The helmet was produced by Bell and was worn by Hill for at least 16 races from 1972 till 1974 (Estimate: £20,000 – £30,000). The Period Graham Hill Overalls offered were worn by Hill in the period, produced by Jay Brand Nomex, and retained by the family since.

Hill’s name is embroidered above the right chest pocket, and suits worn by Graham Hill are extremely rare, so this example should not be missed by collectors (Estimate: £8,000 – £12,000).

Hill’s Formula 1 career saw him become a double World Champion, and 1966 saw him emulate his great friend Jim Clark with victory at the Indianapolis 500, an extraordinary feat given his lack of experience in oval racing.

Equally, Graham Hill enjoyed enormous success in sports cars, with overall victories at Le Mans, Reims, Montlhéry, and the Goodwood Tourist Trophy, and class wins at the Targa Florio and Nürburgring. His final major triumph, the 1972 24 Hours of Le Mans, made him the only Triple Crown winner of motorsport.

The Graham Hill Collection celebrates Graham Hill’s career and is an unrepeatable opportunity to acquire significant and scarce items with perfect provenance.