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ON DISPLAY: Alfa Romeo Showcases History and Future at Goodwood

750 Competizione 1955

June 26-29 will see the West Sussex countryside play host to one of the most prestigious events on the international motoring calendar: The Goodwood Festival of Speed. Each year more than 150,000 fans, connoisseurs, collectors and VIPs from around the  world descend on Lord March’s idyllic Goodwood Estate to rub shoulders with the motorsport elite and to witness the world’s most iconic and exciting cars – past and present – in action on the iconic 1.16-mile hill-climb course.

For the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed, there will be eight Alfa Romeo cars present: Five from the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo, representing the brand’s rich racing and engineering heritage, as well as the three highest-performance models from the current range. The event is also a celebration of the 60th Annivesary of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta: Unveiled at the 1954 Turin Motor Show, the Giulietta Sprint is one of the most iconic products of the Alfa Romeo brand as it made the dream of owning an Alfa Romeo accessible to motorists all over the world for the first time.

Alfa Romeo is delighted to welcome a star guest to its line-up: Toine Hezemans, “The Flying Dutchman”, who notched up numerous victories in various iterations of the legendary Alfa Romeo GTA – including the driver’s title in the 1970 European Touring Car Championship – will once again be behind the wheel of a 1971 Alfa Romeo GTA 1300 Junior on the Goodwood hillclimb. Setting the times behind the wheel of the Alfa Romeo 4C in the Supercar run will be Rupert Keegan, an ex-Formula One racer of the late 70s and early 80s.

Away from the track, the Alfa Romeo stand will not only will afford the British public its first chance to see the new Alfa Romeo MiTo and Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde in the metal, it will also have the Alfa Romeo 4C supercar on display alongside an original 1954 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint. The stand will also host the unveiling of a new coffee machine which was engineered into a genuine Alfa Romeo 1750 TBi engine block with help from the experts at luxury Italian coffee producers, Lavazza. Head of Brand for Alfa Romeo EMEA, Louis Carl Vignon, will be on hand to unveil the spectacular coffee machine at 11:45 on Saturday, June 28.

The Alfa Romeo vehicles at Goodwood:

Gran Premio Tipo B P3 (1932)

The Alfa Romeo Tipo B, better known as the P3, is one of Vittorio Jano’s masterpieces. Standout technical features of the legendary single-seater racer include its dual-supercharged 8C straight-eight engine and an innovative rear suspension which helped it out-handle its competition. All the most famous drivers of the 30s have sat behind the wheel of Tipo B cars: Nuvolari, Varzi, Caracciola, Trossi, Chiron and Moll all tasted victory in major international competitions in 1932 and 1933. Tazio Nuvolari’s victory over the strong field of German competitors at Nürburgring in 1935 is a particular highlight of the P3’s illustrious history.

Engine: 8 cylinders in line, 2,654cc, twin-camshaft, dual supercharger
Power: 212hp at 5600 rpm
Top speed: 232mph

Gran Premio Tipo 159 Alfetta (1951)

Juan Manuel Fangio won the first of his five F1 World Championship titles in 1951 behind the wheel of the single-seater Alfa Romeo 159 Alfetta. An evolution of the 158, which claimed the first World Champion in 1950 in the hands of Giuseppe “Nino” Farina, the 159 adopts a more sophisticated De Dion rear axle, improved aerodynamics and an upgraded, straight-eight 1.5-litre engine with dual-stage supercharger which could produce a peak output of up to 450hp.

Engine: 8 cylinders in line, 1,479 cc, twin-shaft dual-stage supercharger
Power: 425hp (up to 450hp) at 9,300 rpm
Top speed: 189 mph
Bodywork: Assembled by Zagato

750 Competizione (1955)

The Alfa Romeo 750 Competizione is a two-seater racing car that was designed to compete in the 1.5-litre sports car class. Its 1,488cc engine is derived from the contemporary “Giulietta” and produces an astonishing 145hp which, together with its particularly low weight, would have made the vehicle highly competitive had it ever competed. Sadly, the project never reached its full potential and what is coming to Goodwood is only one of two ever built and the only car in full working order.

Engine: 4 cylinders in line, 1,488 cc, twin-camshaft
Power: 145hp at 9,500 rpm
Top speed: 137mph
Bodywork: Boano

Giulietta SZ Coda Tronca (1960)

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ (Sprint Zagato) is one of the most performance-oriented versions of the original Giulietta, as well as the rarest – only 30 were ever built in Coda Tronca (stub-tail) guise. It is capable of reaching 200km/h (124mph) – an astonishing speed when you consider it was powered by a little 1.3 litre engine. However, this was Alfa Romeo’s legendary twin-cam 1.3-litre which produced 100hp and which, when combined with the aluminium, aerodynamic Zagato body and ultra-low 740kg weight, resulted in impressive performance and handling, making it a favourite car for gentlemen drivers in the 1960s.

Engine: 4 cylinders in line, 1,290 cc, twin camshaft
Power: 100hp at 6,500 rpm
Top speed: 124mph
Bodywork: Zagato

GTA 1300 Junior (1971)

The Alfa Romeo GTA 1300 Junior incorporates some of the most advanced engineering of the late 1960s. Evolved from the original 1.6-ltire GTA of 1965 and using technologies such as direct injection and dual ignition, Autodelta (Alfa Romeo’s racing division) was able to squeeze 170hp from its 1.3-litre, normally aspirated, twin-camshaft  engine. The GTA went on to claim the European Touring Car Championship for Alfa Romeo in 1971 and 1972, while the 1300 Junior which retained the aluminium body, with the later addition of flared wheel arches, was also successfully raced particularly in the hands of Toine Hezemans, “The Flying Dutchman”, who will be reunited with it at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Engine: 4 cylinders in line, 1,290 cc, twin camshaft, dual ignition, direct injection
Power: 170hp at 8,200 rpm
Top speed: 137mph
Bodywork: Bertone

Alfa Romeo 4C

The award-winning Alfa Romeo 4C returns to the Goodwood Festival of Speed after making its UK debut and first dynamic appearance at the event in 2013. Embodying the best of Alfa Romeo’s DNA, the 4C is powered by a turbo-charged 1,750, all-aluminium engine which sends 240hp to the rear wheels via an advanced twin dry-clutch Alfa TCT transmission. Constructed predominantly from carbon fibre, aluminium and composites, the Alfa Romeo 4C can accelerate to 62 mph in just 4.5 seconds, reach a top speed in excess of 160mph, generate 1.2g of braking force, 1.1g of cornering force and tips the scales at just 895hp (dry weight). In addition to collecting numerous awards and appearing in countless magazine and website articles across Europe since its launch in 2013, the Alfa Romeo 4C also features regularly on television thanks to its role as Official Safety Car of the 2014 SBK Superbike World Championship and 2014 World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).

Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde

The new high-performance Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde makes its UK debut at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The first Alfa Romeo to bear the Quadrifoglio Verde was the ‘RL’ driven by Ugo Sivocci that won the Targa Florio in 1923. Since then all racing Alfa Romeo’s have carried the emblem for good luck and in the 1960’s they also began appearing on high-performance versions of road-going Alfa Romeo cars. The new ‘Quadrifoglio Verde’ versions of the MiTo follows in the tyre-treads of the best of these Alfa Romeo models, drawing on their heritage of performance and driving pleasure without compromising on efficiency, respect for the environment and everyday practicality. Powered by a 170hp 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo Petrol 170hp engine, in combination with the ALFA TCT transmission (with steering-wheel paddle shifters) for the first time, the MiTo QV now accelerates to 62mph in just 7.3 seconds and tops 136mph but with improved economy and reduced emissions – 10% and 11% respectively.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2014 with the new Quadrifoglio Verde high-performance version, which also makes its UK debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Powered by the same 240hp, aluminium-block , direct-injection, 1750 Turbo Petrol engine – and state-of-the-art, six-speed, twin dry clutch ALFA TCT transmission – as the as the Alfa Romeo 4C supercar, the new Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde also employs a similar Launch Control system as the 4C, which optimises engine, transmission and traction systems to accelerate the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde from 0 to 62mph in just 6.0 seconds – 0.8 seconds faster than the model it replaces! A new “QV Intake Engine Sound” system accentuates the full, exciting engine sound one expects from a high-performance Alfa Romeo while interior enhancements include a new flat-bottomed steering wheel; instrument panel with Quadrifoglio Verde logo and new wraparound sports seats with one-piece backrests.

ON THE BLOCK – What to Watch Bonhams Greenwhich Concours d’Elegance Sale

Lot 310 – 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider
Without Reserve. Estimate: $25,000-30,000   moto+match estimate: $25,000

58 Alfa Spider

With the introduction of the 1300cc Giulietta in 1954, Alfa Romeo established the ‘small car, big performance’ formula that would characterize its finest offerings from that point on. The Giulietta’s arrival caused a sensation; demand quickly outstripped supply, causing Alfa Romeo to rethink its production strategy and become a high volume manufacturer. The original Bertone-designed Giulietta Sprint Coupe of 1954 was soon joined by a more practical Berlina Sedan and a charming Spider, the latter sporting elegant coachwork designed and built by Pinin Farina.

According to factory records from Alfa Romeo’s Centro Documentazione, this Giulietta was completed at the Milianese Alfa Romeo plant on July 21, 1958. The new left hand drive Spider was finished in a sporting red color, configured as left hand drive, and destined for the United States, where legendary importer Max Hoffman Motorcar Company later took delivery the following month.  The new Spider was sold to a Mr. Hillman, residing in Florida and Illinois, and records show service and maintenance work performed while in Hillman’s ownership. Hillman would keep the Giulietta until 1961, when he traded it in with circa 15,000 miles, at the Fancl-Bogan Chevrolet dealership in Oak Park, Illinois. In July of 1961, the Alfa Romeo was purchased by Mr. John A. Clark, a chemical engineer from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Mr. Clark used the little Red Spider over the next decade, before taking it off the road in 1976, with just 52,239 miles recorded. It remained in storage until Mr. Clark’s passing in the late 2000s, when purchased by the consignor. Accompanied by an abundance of receipts, records and the factory tool kit, this barn find Guilietta is an incredible original and complete example. The perfect candidate for a restoration, this low mileage Alfa Romeo still retains most of the factory finishes, as well as the rare Motorola radio surely mounted when new at Hoffman’s. This Giulietta has been spared from mediocre restorations or modifications over the years, and really deserves to be put back on the road.

 

Lot 317 – 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Without Reserve. Estimate: $25,000-30,000   moto+match estimate: $35,000

88 Jeep Wagoneer

Luxury SUVs are nothing new, but when the Jeep Wagoneer came out in 1963, it was something genuinely different. Combining the rugged attributes of a truck with the luxury of a sedan made for a unique, segment breaking vehicle. So successful was the model that it survived until 1991. In nearly three decades of production, the Jeep’s architecture changed little. Sporting a body-on-frame design with solid axles and leaf springs all around, it was a classic example of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” Power was delivered to all four wheels via a viscous coupling center differentials allowing rear-wheel drive only operation for a bit of added fuel economy, if you consider 13 miles to the gallon ‘economical’. Off road the Jeep was capable of going toe-to-toe with a new Range Rover and on road its handling proved adequate, if a bit primitive given its somewhat hoary underpinnings. In a July 1988 comparison test against a Range Rover, Car and Driver waxed about the Grand Wagoneer’s, “leather upholstery trim and, both inside and out, lots of chrome and fake wood” not to mention copious power features. While performance didn’t exactly light the heather afire, taking 13 seconds to get to 60mph, the Range Rover took even longer to do the duty and still cost a third more.

This three-owner from new Grand Wagoneer was delivered new to an elderly couple in Northern California in June of 1988. From the final iteration of the Wagoneer, it benefited from all of the upgrades that would be bestowed upon the model making it the most comfortable and desirable version available then and now. Sparingly used by its first owners, it was sold to another older couple in 1999 before coming to the collection of the current vendor a year ago. Showing only a bit over 68,000 original miles, it is completely original. A luck recipient of two and a half decades of dry California climates, meticulous maintenance and minimal use has kept this white over burgundy Jeep looking extra fresh. The obvious decedent of the great woodies of yore, this Jeep is ready to continue its tradition of shuttling the family from the wilds of Westchester to the beaches of Southampton in comfort and style!

 

Lot 378 – 1959 Fiat-Abarth 750 Record Monza Bialbero Coupé by Zagato
Estimate: $175,000-250,000  moto+match estimate: $250,000

59 Fiat Abarth

An innovative concern with a sporting pedigree second to none, Abarth branched out from producing induction and exhaust systems into selling performance kits for – mainly FIAT – production cars, later building a succession of aerodynamically stylish sports prototypes and limited-series production cars. One of Carlo Abarth’s most successful series of GT cars was based on the FIAT 600, the first of these handsome little Zagato-bodied coupés – the 750 – appearing in 1956. The 600 chassis was used with scant modification apart from changing spring rates and up-rating the front brakes to twin-leading-shoe operation, yet despite this apparent handicap coped remarkably well with the Abarth’s greatly increased performance. The next stage of development saw the 750 equipped with a double-overhead-camshaft engine designed by Gioacchio Columbo, designer of the first Ferrari V12s that helped liberate 47 51bhp from the tiny engine, these models thus equipped being dubbed ‘Bialbero’ (Twin-cam). Abarth’s diminutive coupés were soon dominating the small-capacity classes in international GT racing. Indeed, in North American SCCA events the 1.0-litre Abarth was obliged to compete against rivals displacing up to 3.8 litres and still proved capable of winning!

The current owner acquired 550486 in the early 1980s and in doing so began a labor of love in terms of restoration and research. His extensive work has enabled him to make deductions about the early history of the car which are both fascinating and uncontested by other aficionados of the marque and model. At the time of its acquisition, the car was an engineless rolling chassis, but a number of clues to its importance were very clear to its knowledgeable buyer. Most notable was the required holes for fixing the fuel pressure regulator bracket – another Bialbero exclusive feature. So the car was clearly one of these rare brethren of Abarths.

The next base point for research was the discovery of a series of three drilled holes in the passenger side door which had long since been covered by filler and paint. These holes correlated perfectly to a door mounted racing number light which cars known to be in the USA and to have run at Sebring in 1959 carried by regulation to make their racing numerals visible at night. That narrowed the field to one of the four cars that had run at that event that year for Team Roosevelt.

Before one pauses to question a link to the President, the answer is ‘yes’, the Roosevelt Automobile Company was run by FDR Jr. They were East Coast Importers for Fiat and would continue this by developing a relationship to run Abarth race cars also. As ever in the course of racing the idea was to encourage the old adage of “race on Sunday, sell on Monday”, but Roosevelt Jr.’s thinking was a little further developed in that he believed “that Americans could sell a car better to Americans”. For the race team John Norwood was their manager and ace mechanic Jim McGee prepped their entries, the drivers represented a series of experienced stalwarts who could be trusted with the brand. Sebring ’59 was the debut race for this new team.

A period black and white image of the four cars sent ex-Zagato Works from Italy for the Sebring Event shows that two were finished in a dark color and two in a light color, of the two darker colored cars, one had a dark interior, the other a light interior, and the same for the lighter cars, thereby actually making each different in its livery. Differentiating them further, when they were run at Sebring they were still wearing Turin license plates, TO-712 and TO-487 adorned the two darker colored cars. These are actually understood to be ‘trade’ plates, suggesting that there can’t have been much time to spare between their leaving the works and being campaigned in Florida. On the basis of surviving period images of the two darker colored cars, which turns out to have been red in color period images, this car has been deduced by its owner to be the #62 car, which wore the Torino plate “TO-712”. Assuming this to be an accurate statement, car #62/TO-712 would contest between 10 and 13 races in the ’59 Season after Sebring, including Daytona, Bridgehampton, Road America, the Watkins Glen Grand Prix and the International Bahamas Speed Weeks at the end of that year, with respectable low double digit finishes overall.

By the end of 1960, 550486 is known to have been the property of J. William Denton, as he ran the car at the Savannah Race Track in November 1960, when its ‘Team Roosevelt’ marking had cleverly been given the prefix of ‘Ex’! The owner was able to trace J. W. Denton’s son, who produced a copy of Denton’s first title registration on acquisition of the car, it clearly denoting this identity and the engine number digits following the VIN. From his conversations with the younger Denton, he had recalled his father acquiring a number of Abarths from Team Roosevelt, but only one Bialbero and that proved to be his favorite apparently. Denton is known to have run the car at the Chimney Rock Hillclimb in 1961, and a series of other events. According to John de Boer’s well researched archive, the subsequent chain of ownership ran 1971-1974: Steve Doran; 1974-1976: Doug Huffman; 1976-7: Herbert H. Bailey of South Carolina; and then 1977-1984 – GTS Motorcars of Florida, before it was acquired by the present owner in 1984. All the while the research was continuing, and correct parts being accrued, the owner waited patiently before beginning its restoration. This began in earnest almost 20 years ago. Its structural repairs were carried out by the owner with sheet metal repairs to the aluminum bodywork by Tivvy’s Autocraft, this was then followed up with the paintwork at Alfa’s Unlimited. Automotive Restorations of Stratford, Connecticut trimmed original Zagato seat frames provided by the owner in a light tan vinyl and made new carpets in Wilton Wool, the finish of the cabin being slightly improved over the original having a Nardi wood rim steering wheel in place of the plastic one it would have worn new.

For the mechanical aspect, the owner was able to draw on his own stores of spares that had been accrued over many years, a number of the more significant pieces coming from Jeff Vogel, who in turn had bought them from Jim McGee’s shop in Watermill, Long Island, these included a spare long distance fuel tank, oversize Abarth Alfin front drum brakes, and new/old stock Bialbero racing exhaust – the motoring definition of ‘hen’s teeth’ quite literally.

Further searches had produced a period correct Bialbero engine motor, which itself created something of a conundrum. The engine was number 600319, which by Fiat records was the original fitted to 550486, yet a separate document sourced by the current owner shows that 600319 was fitted to car 544303 on March 25, 1959, when that car was listed on a statement of sale to Gene Williamson by Team Roosevelt – Williamson being the driver of car #65 at Sebring that year. As ever in the history of racing teams it seems likely that 600319 had migrated from its original mount very early on in its life, but today thanks to the perseverance of its current owner it is back with the Fiat-Abarth it apparently left the Works in. Naturally, since the intention of the owner was to race the car, this numbered block is actually stored and goes with the car, while it is currently running a ‘hot’ engine built around a separate 600 unit.

Post-restoration, 550486 has been campaigned with some regularity by its custodian, being run in VSCCA meetings from 1996 to 2000, at the Lime Rock Historic Races on numerous occasions and also displayed here at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance in 2000 and at the Lime Rock Sunday in the Park Concours last year, where it was rewarded with First in Class.

After three decades of research, restoration, ownership and use, during which it seems virtually every stone has been upended, the seller has made the difficult decision to part with the car and forward it to another enthusiast. While that elusive final jigsaw puzzle piece of paper that conclusively documents it as the #62 Sebring car from 1959 remains still yet to be found, it seems hard to question the current owner’s conclusion based on his research. Regardless of this ultimate detail, the car is a fastidiously accurately restored example of these ‘Giant-Killer’ Abarths, which certainly had an active period racing career and could today provide its next owner with an enjoyable vintage racing mount.

 

Lot 389- 2003 Aston Martin DB AR1
Bonhams Estimate: $170,000-190,000   moto+match estimate: $210,000

03 Aston Martin DB AR1

Aston Martin renewed its fruitful relationship with renowned Italian styling house of Zagato, most famously begun with the DB4GT Zagato of the 1960s, after a meeting between Elio Zagato’s son Andrea and Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2001. The result was a stylish coupé, based on the DB7 V12 Vantage supercar, recalling the sublime looks of the original DB4GT Zagato. So favorable was the DB7 Zagato’s reception that it was decided to produce an open car in similar vein: the DB AR1. Designed with the California weather in mind, and a Roadster in the proper tradition with no hood and space for just two people, the DB AR1 was previewed by a select group of potential customers to gauge reaction. The car was so well received on its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2002, that all 99 of the proposed limited edition were purchased. Powering the new open supercar was a developed version of Aston’s state-of-the-art, 6.0-liter V12 enjoying a boost in maximum power to 435bhp, some 20 horsepower more than the DB7 Vantage. This power increase together with more torque, a revised final drive ratio and ‘active’ sports exhaust system produce a noticeable improvement in mid-range performance, where it is most useful in everyday driving. An AP twin-plate racing clutch combined with a revised quick-shift gearlever for the six-speed manual transmission enable the driver to maximize use of the increase in power and torque and enjoy a faster gear-change. Acceleration can only be described as stunning, 60mph arriving in just 4.9 seconds, while its top speed of 185mph makes the DB AR1 the world’s fastest true roadster. Above all, the DB AR1 was designed to be a true ‘driver’s car’, equally at home on the autobahn or challenging back road. This is a car that beckons you to look for places to go. Restraining this superlative high performance are equally exalted brakes: Brembo racing-style grooved discs – 335mm at the front, 330mm at the rear – gripped by alloy four-pot calipers assisted by an improved brake booster unit and moderated by Teves ABS. Power is transmitted to the road via a limited-slip differential to special multi-spoke 19″ alloy wheels (8″/9.5″ f/r) incorporating revised offset to give a wider track, shod with low profile Yokohama tiresThe interior boasts electrically controlled sports seats, six-speaker Becker stereo radio cassette system with 6-CD changer, alarm and immobilizer with remote central locking and trunk release. There is electronic traction control and power-assisted rack and pinion steering.

This fantastic, low mileage AR1 Roadster has lived a charmed life. Purchased by its first owner from Aston Martin of Beverley Hills on December 4th, 2004 with 140 miles on the clock, it carried an original sticker price of over $250,000. Finished in Bowland Black over Light Tan hides, it enjoyed the California sun in the care of its original owner until the summer of 2010 when the current vendor acquired the roadster, the 26th of 99 DB AR1s constructed. Having covered less than 3,800 miles since leaving Newport Pagnell, it has received continuous, careful maintenance and shows well today. Replete with its original Monroney sticker, books, umbrellas, and car cover, this barely used, coachbuilt roadster is now ready to move onto to its third lucky owner.

 

Lot 403 – 1970 Porsche 911E Targa
Without reserve. Bonhams Estimate: $8,000-12,000   moto+match estimate: $20,000

70 porsche 911E

This silver Targa, with black leather interior, was originally acquired on May 4, 1970 by Irving Rose of Northbrook, Illinois in Stuttgart, Germany through the Tourist Delivery Program. Rose traded the car through Bryntesen Porsche-Audi Inc. of Hinsdale, Illinois with registration receipts showing Bryntesen selling it to Michael Burns in February 1978. The next keeper of the Porsche was Raymond Paulis followed by David Thompson, although Thompson’s date of acquisition is unknown. Purchased by the vendor in the summer of 2004 with the intention of restoring it; it instead has sat in climate-controlled, dry storage since 2004 with little progress made. The original MSO and other paperwork are available with the car together with the owner’s manual plus sleeve and Blaupunkt radio service manual. Substantially complete, unmodified from original specification, and with only minor damage to the passenger door, this 911E is a wonderful base for restoration. The chassis appears to be remarkably straight and intact, showing penetrating rust in only a few places like the driver’s side battery box, and the engine is free but not currently running. The car was easily pushed out of storage once one front brake caliper was released. The interior is largely complete but dirty and worn. With early Porsche 911 continuing their upward trend, this rare 911E Targa is an excellent opportunity to acquire a lovely, documented car that will provide many happy miles following a thorough restoration.

ON THE BLOCK: Prominent Aston Martins at 15th Annual Bonham’s Works

Aston Martin DB2 Notch

15 May 2014, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire: Bonhams, one of the world’s largest international auction houses, is once again partnering with Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell, the historic home of the great British sports car brand, to host its annual Aston Martin Sale.

Now in its 15th year, Bonhams’ Aston Martin Sale – the largest such sale to date which this year takes place on Saturday 17 May – is set to see some of the brand’s most iconic, and valuable, sports cars change hands as eager bidders flock to the impressive Aston Martin Works facility in Buckinghamshire for this globally significant auction event.

The dedicated Aston Martin Sale once again features many outstanding and special examples of the marque with the top lots set to include the 1970 Aston Martin DBS featured in the television show The Persuaders!; a 1961 Aston Martin DB4, uprated to ‘GT Zagato’ specification; a 1970 Aston Martin DB6 Mk2 Volante and the ex- Sir David Brown/Peter Collins 1953 Aston Martin DB 2/4 ‘notchback’.

The iconic 1970 Aston Martin DBS from the TV show The Persuaders! starring Roger Moore and Tony Curtis is coming to the market for the first time in decades.

This famed Aston Martin was manufactured in 1970 with special modifications made for its role in ThePersuaders!, in which it featured prominently in almost all of the show’s 24 episodes.

Both of the stars have autographed the car inside the boot lid – Roger Moore in 2003 and Tony Curtis in 2008 – and in each case the moment of signing was recorded.

The sports car goes into Saturday’s auction with an estimate of £350,000-550,000.

The ‘Zagato’, estimated at £800,000-900,000, was the subject of a no-expense-spared project to re-create one of the 1960s’ most beautiful and desirable cars. The original collaboration between Aston Martin and Zagato of Milan resulted in a production run of only 19 sports cars: constructed between 1961 and 1963.

The very rare DB6 Mark 2 Volante, estimated at £700,000-800,000, is one of only 21 examples, and represents an opportunity to acquire one of the most exclusive and highly sought after of post-war Aston Martins.

The unique prototype 1953 DB 2/4 ‘notchback’, estimated at £240,000-280,000, has a glamorous and extensively documented history. Originally purchased by David Brown as a drophead coupé, in 1954 Brown had it converted to fixed-head coupé configuration while retaining the overall shape of the raised soft-top. In its new form, this car became, in effect, the prototype of the forthcoming DB2/4 ‘notchback’ coupé, which was launched at the 1955 London Motor Show alongside the rest of the ‘Mark II’ range.

The car’s second owner was Peter Collins, the celebrated British racing driver who had already distinguished himself driving Aston Martins, taking the Newport Pagnell cars to victory at the Goodwood Nine Hours race in 1952 and the Tourist Trophy at Dundrod in 1953.

Paul Spires, General Sales Manager at Aston Martin Works, said: “The Bonhams auction weekend is always a highlight of the Works’ calendar and this year, as always, some truly remarkable will change hands.

“The event is not just an occasion for us here at Works, but with bidders both flying in and joining the event from across the globe it has become an important feature of the classic Aston Martin year and I’m sure we will see some enthusiastic bidding.”

James Knight, Bonhams Group Head of Motoring and auctioneer on the day, said: “With nearly 50 motor cars consigned, this is the biggest sale Bonhams have ever held at Aston Martin Works. It is always a special privilege to conduct the auction at Aston Martin Works – there is such enthusiasm from so many of our clients and customers resulting in spirited bidding for so many lots. We expect quite a few surprises on the day!”

For those unable to attend Aston Martin Works on Saturday, the sale can be viewed online at:http://www.bonhams.com/departments/MOT-CAR/

 

PICK OF THE DAY: Superbly Restored 1973 Alfa Romeo 1600 GT Junior Zagato

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Following the tradition established by previous Alfa Romeo-Zagato collaborations, the Junior Zagato featured unique coachwork on the high performance variant mechanical components from standard production cars. Featuring a dual Weber version of the 1600 powerplant and weighing in at just 2100 pounds despite using aluminum only for the engine lid and doors, the car performed well. Its low center of gravity and rakish lines made the car handle and look much more sporting than the rather square-rigged car on which it was based, and with only 402 1600cc examples built, they are quite rare as well. From 1999 to 2004, the car received an extremely thorough and fastidious restoration. The car was subtly upgraded as well during the restoration, with the fitment of magnesium Campagnolo wheels, Shankle suspension with Koni shocks. The transmission was rebuilt and the engine and Webers were completely rebuilt. A lightened flywheel was installed and the differential was rebuilt with a limited slip. The brakes were completely rebuilt, and all suspension was rebuilt and rebushed. Uprated sway bars were also fitted. High compression Venolia pistons were fitted, along with European 2 liter camshafts, and all rotating parts were lightened and balanced. The cylinder head and headers were carefully polished and matched to one another. This work was completed 9000 miles ago and the car has seen regular maintenance since, including fluid changes, new tires, new motor mounts, and various other minor work to keep the car in top condition. The car comes with an extensive spares package of NOS and good original parts, from consumable mechanical items to exterior trim, lights, antenna components, ventilation components, weatherstripping, filters, interior trim, a spare steel wheel, a set of four like new Carello headlamps with trim rings, and many other items. Find it here on AutoTrader Classics with a tempting price of $23,000

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