In the mid-60s, there were plenty of amateur racers competing in the Le Mans 24 Hours – and two such individuals with the means to do so were Count Jean de Mortemart (descended from a noble line of French aristocrats) and Régis Fraissinet (the heir to a dynasty of industrialists). In search of a respite from the monotony of everyday life, the duo bought a 1964 AC Cobra 289 – chassis #COX6010 – and steered it to an 18th place finish. “There are those who like to play tennis and those who prefer golf,” proclaimed Fraissinet. “I play tennis and golf but, most of all, I prefer to race cars…”

The plucky privateers’ Cobra is an early entry in Artcurial’s sale at the Le Mans Classic, taking place 4-6 July 2014. Its estimate has not yet been revealed.