ROBERT FERRY — RACE-WORN DRIVER'S ENSEMBLE Audi NSU Coupé / Cibié Racing Team, circa early 1970s Complete two-piece suit with matching original Nomex undergarments and balaclava
A museum-quality artifact from the golden age of French circuit and road racing, this complete driver's ensemble was worn by Robert Ferry during his competitive campaigns aboard the Audi NSU Coupé under the auspices of the celebrated Cibié Racing Team — one of the most recognisable factory-backed sporting operations in French motorsport of the era.
The Suit
Presented as a two-piece — jacket and matching trousers — the ensemble is constructed in powder blue Nomex-lined herringbone twill, with ivory contrast stitching throughout. A tricolour stripe in red, white and blue runs vertically along the central zip line of the jacket, a quintessentially French racing detail of the period. The brass zip, chest pocket, and elasticated white cuffs are all intact and in excellent preservation. The back panel is entirely plain, the simplicity of the reverse providing a stark and elegant contrast to the rich patch arrangement of the front.
The jacket carries a carefully curated assembly of period sponsor and homologation patches. The Cibié Racing Team oval — in gold and black on yellow ground — holds pride of place on the chest. Cibié was the undisputed leader of French automotive lighting, and through its active sponsorship of top racing and rally teams at Le Mans and across the major rallies, enjoyed unparalleled visibility in European motorsport. The Koni shock absorber triangular patch sits below it — a partnership equally emblematic of serious period competition. The left chest carries the Kleber tyre patch and the driver identification panel reading Audi NSU Coupé / Robert Ferry in navy blue on white. The left sleeve bears the DuPont Nomex® certification patch, confirming the suit's fire-resistant construction, alongside the all-important FSFA Homologué patch — the French Fédération du Sport Automobile's seal of approval, a period requirement for competitive racing in France.
The Audi NSU Coupé was a competitive touring car weapon of the early 1970s. NSU had an illustrious motorsport heritage, securing 29 touring car championships between 1962 and 1967 on the international stage, and the merged Audi-NSU concern continued to field competitive entries in French racing and the legendary Tour de France Automobile through the early 1970s.
The Undergarments
Accompanying the suit is the original set of race-worn Nomex undergarments: a full long-sleeved thermal top, matching long trousers, and a period balaclava — all in natural cream Nomex knit. These items are exceptionally rare survivals. Period undergarments were consumable items, rarely retained alongside their outer suits, making a complete ensemble of this kind — outer suit, trousers, and full undergarment set together — an extraordinary find for the collector of early French motorsport history.
Condition
The suit presents with honest patina consistent with active race use, retaining full structural integrity across all seams, patches, and fastenings. The colour remains vibrant. The undergarments are complete and display light wear appropriate to their age and use.
A complete and cohesive driver's ensemble from early 1970s French touring car racing, offered in its entirety for the first time.
