Dubai: We must have all dropped something expensive at one point. Be it a family heirloom glass goblet, an expensive vase or maybe even a Faberge egg – if you were really unlucky.
A week before the Monaco Grand Prix is set to take place, the famous street circuit is hosting something of a re-enactment. Historic cars from the 1970s – the decade famous for unique and bizarre designs – are racing around and putting on a remarkable display.
Because so few cars were ever built, and were driven by some of the sport’s biggest names, they don’t come with a price tag. Even to call them ‘priceless’ is something of an understatement.
These cars are as rare as a talking donkey and even more costly.
As such, the drivers racing them are doing so at reduced speed, and the event is mainly for show anyway.
However, a 1973 version of the McLaren M23 broke down at the chicane at the Monaco harbour in what should have been a routine recovery for the marshals. In its day the car was driven by 1967 champion Denny Hulme, Peter Revson and 1979 champion Jody Scheckter. Emerson Fittipaldi (1974) and James Hunt (1976) won their world championships in it.
This car, then, is as valuable as you can imagine.
The marshals craned the car up to move it out of harm’s way, but seemingly tethered the wrong part. The tether gave way and the priceless car dropped six metres to the ground, with equally as priceless appendages falling off.
A bad day for the marshals? You bet. They’d have been better off smashing a Faberge egg.
If you are sensitive to history being broken, look away now.
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