THE SÁRRAGA COLLECTION: RM SOTHEBY’S HIGHLIGHTS RARE CARS WITH PORTUGUESE HISTORY AHEAD OF SALE

THE SÁRRAGA COLLECTION: RM SOTHEBY’S HIGHLIGHTS RARE CARS WITH
PORTUGUESE HISTORY AHEAD OF SALE

RM Sotheby’s is delighted to reveal more details of rare and exclusive cars to be offered from the Sáragga Collection, presented entirely without reserve nearby the stunning beach location of Comporta, Portugal, on 21 September 2019. Many cars of the 130-strong collection gathered by discerning enthusiast and collector, Mr Sáragga, are highly collectable individual automobiles that boast lovely Portuguese provenance, sure to resonate strongly with local collectors and beyond.

Among the most significant lots is a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS Touring, delivered new to Portuguese Angola and which has remained in mainland Portugal since 1975. The beautifully restored, late third-series example of Porsche’s iconic and highly collectable 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring retains its original engine and gearbox and is just one of five delivered in stunning, special-order Signal Orange (1414) with a black leatherette interior. A Porsche Certificate of Authority notes that this RS was factory-equipped with an electric sunroof, headrests, tinted glass and a Blaupunkt stereo. Boasting racing history in Portugal, participating in the 1979 Rally Portugal Vinho do Porto, wearing race number 24, and, at the 20^th anniversary of Estoril in 1992, this RS finished first in Group 4. The car underwent a full restoration in 2012 and has covered fewer than 3,000kms since. Following restoration, the RS featured in the book ‘50 Years of Porsche in Portugal’, highlighting Porsche’s rich history in the country (Est.€450,000 – €550,000).

One of the many highlights of the pre-war cars offered in the Sáragga Collection is a 1939 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet by Chapron, which was delivered new to Lisbon and has remained in Portugal all its life. The rare and authentic Chapron ‘Grand Luxe’ bodywork features unique doors, hood, bumpers, and wings, as well as a luxurious interior that – at the time of specification – could be detailed to the buyer’s express wishes. The Grand Luxe kit increased the price of the car by around 50% compared to a standard body, therefore only around 40 of these were built and fewer than 20 are known to survive. Before joining the Sáragga Collection, the car last changed hands in 1996 following long periods of family ownership (Est. €400,000 – €450,000).

An extremely rare and highly desirable 1955 WD Denzel 1300 also features in the collection, as one of approximately 65 models constructed and one of roughly 30 known to remain, with just five Portuguese owners from new. This car —chassis number DK32—arrived with the Lisbon-based Denzel importer, Auto Portuguesa, in 1954, before it was entered into a handful of races and rallies. Its competition high point was placing second overall and first in class at the Rallye a San Pedro de Moel in August 1956. The car briefly returned to the Denzel factory in Vienna for modification, with its original body replaced with a later style unit, and the original 1,500cc engine replaced with a 1,300cc Super Sport powertrain, benefitting from a small power increase. The car returned to Portugal to race once more and was fully restored in 2012, presenting a rare opportunity to own an immaculate example of this highly unusual, charismatic and historically significant small-capacity racing sports car (Est. €380,000 – €450,000).

A 1966 Mercedes-Benz 600 Sedan by Chapron is a one-off, coachbuilt example, residing in Portugal with 30 years of single ownership prior to joining the Sáragga Collection. Featuring a full glass roof that is unique to this car, the first buyer – an oil magnate – turned to the coachbuilder, Henri Chapron, after Mercedes-Benz turned down his request for a full glass roof. Upon the first owner’s passing, the car was left in his will to the Portuguese gardener of his house in Cannes. The car has been in Portugal since (Est: €300,000 – €450,000). A 1947 HRG Aerodynamic by Fox & Nicholl is documented as having Portuguese competition history with class wins and remains eligible for historic racing and rallying today. Having competed in various Portuguese races and hill climb events in the 1940s and 50s, the car was rediscovered in 1989 and was subsequently fully rebuilt (Est: €180,000 – €250,000).

One of the first Jaguar E-Type coupes built – largely, by hand – at Jaguar’s Coventry facility, is also offered in the sale. The 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Fixed Head Coupe is also the very first E-Type FHC to be registered in Portugal. Perhaps most importantly, it was built prior to February 1962 and is an early ‘flat floor’ example so coveted by collectors (Est. €140,000 – €160,000). Another unique car offered at auction is a 1953 Bristol 401 Saloon, delivered new to Portugal and remaining there since, this is among the last of the 401s built, itself ranked as one of only 700 ever manufactured (Est. €30,000 – €40,000).

Paul Darvill, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s, said: “The scale of exclusive and rare cars we have available in Portugal is significant. The local provenance is a key feature of a number of lots and this is not restricted to the higher valued cars, so there is something for everyone within the sale. With a high number of accessibly priced cars, the Sáragga Collection is not only open to traditional collectors but also to those wanting to buy some really interesting cars from a well-known collection whilst visiting a stunning beach location.”

The Sáragga Collection calls the small, picturesque town of Alcácer do Sal home, just minutes from the seaside region of Comporta, which has quickly become one of the most fashionable and stylish resorts in Europe. The region offers the perfect setting for a warm weekend away in Portugal this autumn, with a number of luxury hotels and restaurants nearby, and just an hour’s drive from Lisbon International Airport. The Sáragga Collection reflects the discerning and eclectic personal tastes of its owner, with many cars combining broad desirability with strong Portuguese provenance and history. The collection comprises over 130 cars to include pre-war greats, exclusive Porsche models, American classics of all eras, and some rare and diminutive microcar gems. Values within the collection range from as little as €10,000 through to €800,000.

Event details and a frequently updated list of all lots offered in the Sáragga Collection are available at rmsothebys.com. To speak with an RM Sotheby’s specialist or to register to bid for this exceptional collection, please call +44 (0) 20 7851 7070.

Photo Information (Credit: Tom Gidden ©2019 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's