CLASSIC CHATTER AUCTION NEWS

Thursday, 21 January 2016

HISTORIC E-TYPE JAGUAR HEADS H&H CLASSICS OFFERING AT THE LONDON CLASSIC CAR SHOW

ART, AIRCRAFT OR AUTOMOBILE?

HISTORIC E-TYPE JAGUAR HEADS H&H CLASSICS OFFERING AT THE LONDON CLASSIC CAR SHOW

First batch E-Type competition car with racing history estimated to sell for £700,000 to £900,000 was shaped by an aircraft designer with aerodynamic experience

As usual H&H Classics will bring along some motoring magic to the London Classic Car Show which takes place at ExCel London on 18 – 21 February.

H&H Classics stand, number C170, will feature a special 1961 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Competition Roadster, ‘9 VPD’, which was among the very first E-Types to go racing. Shaped by Malcolm Sayer (1916 –1970), an aircraft and car designer, his most notable work being the C-Type and D-Type Jaguar sports racers that claimed five Le Mans 24-hours victories between them as well of course as the immortal E-Type production car. He spent the last twenty years of his life working at Jaguar Cars and was one of the first engineers to apply principles of aircraft design to cars. It is thus hardly surprising that this car has something of the aerodynamics of an aircraft, but the fact that is was so beloved by so many has something to do with its sheer artistic beauty.

Finished in Opalescent Dark Blue livery the 1961 Jaguar Roadster is estimated to sell for £700,000 - 900,000 at H&H Classics Duxford sale on April 19-20. This is the venue which saw the company last October join one of only five classic car auction houses to sell a car for over $10m.

The E-Type coming to the London Classic Car Show has an interesting history. After a meticulous restoration the re-born '9VPD' returned to the track for the July 2005 Silverstone Classic Festival. In July 2006 it finished 4th at the Le Mans Classic (behind two Ford GT40s and a Cobra). That same year also saw the E-Type win its class during the Spa 6-hours with Richard Attwood joining Steve Markey and Radical ace Austin Kinsella behind the wheel.

‘9 VPD’ was the first Jaguar home during the Legends race which preceded the 2007 Le Mans 24-hours and paid tribute to the 50th Anniversary of the Coventry marque's famous 1957 D-Type victory and made its Goodwood Revival debut that season too with Rauno Aaltonen co-driving alongside Steve Markey. A regular at the Goodwood Revival, Le Mans Classic and Spa since then, chassis 850007 has also been helmed by the likes of Emanuele Pirro, Marc Gene and Tony Jardine.

Overseen by Jaguar's Engineering Director Bill Heynes and supplied to favoured teams on Lofty England's say so, the seven right-hand drive Roadsters built to Project ZP 537/24 specification were the very first E-Type competition cars.

Upgraded by the Competition Department at Browns Lane, the septet had particular attention paid to their running gear: increased compression ratio, gas flowed cylinder head, lightened flywheel, competition clutch springs and close-ratio gearboxes.

One of two cars earmarked for John Coombs - the other five being distributed among Tommy Sopwith, Peter Berry and Sir Gawaine Baillie - chassis 850007 was completed on 29th March 1961 but not officially road registered as '9 VPD' for another four months (21st July 1961). Typically used as the Coombs team's paddock car whilst its sister machine '4 WPD' (chassis 850006 which became the first 'Lightweight') performed most of the racing duties, '9 VPD' took to the track for the Scott Brown Trophy on 23rd July 1961.

Monday, 18 January 2016

The oldest surviving Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider, a rare factory prototype, will be offered at Bonhams 4 February Grand Palais Sale, estimated at €900,000-1,300,000.

Ex-Salon de l'Automobile de Bruxelles 1955,Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider avec hardtop 1955

The oldest surviving Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider, a rare factory prototype, will be offered at Bonhams 4 February Grand Palais Sale, estimated at €900,000-1,300,000.

In the post-war era, the first cars to emerge needed to be stylish, exciting, and full of 'La Dolce Vita'. The 1950 launch of the Lancia Aurelia beautifully encompassed this.

The first production car ever to use a V-6 engine, the powerful and revolutionary Aurelia was a masterpiece of Italian design and engineering. In its two years of manufacture, just 240 cars were built. This makes the motor car offered at Bonhams sale – the oldest surviving Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider, chassis 'B24S1002'– incredibly rare.

Philip Kantor, Bonhams European Head of Motoring, said: "A rare factory prototype, the motor car offered was used as the display car for the 1955 motor show in both Brussels and Geneva. Offered from long term private ownership, the Aurelia boasts a continuous history and is fully restored to original specification."

Fast-forward twenty years and the Italian motoring powerhouse brought to life the Lancia Stratos. Vastly different to its 1950s predecessor, the Stratos boasted the signature, geometric styling popular of the decade, coupled with speeds of up to 225 km/h.

A limited production 'homologation special', the Lancia Stratos is historically significant as the first car from a major manufacturer conceived specifically for rallying – it was the spearhead of the brand's international rally campaign in the 1970s. The production Stratos of 1972 retained the striking 'wedge' styling of its forbear, but employed the powerful Ferrari Dino 2.4-liter V6 engine.

Finished in orange with tan alcantara interior, the highly original 1975 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale Coupé offered at Bonhams sale is offered at €350,000-450,000.

Thursday, 14 January 2016

ART DECO-INSPIRED STYLING JOINS AMERICAN MUSCLE, 50S CHROME AND EUROPEAN SPEED AT AUCTIONS AMERICA’S FORT LAUDERDALE SALE

ART DECO-INSPIRED STYLING JOINS AMERICAN MUSCLE, 50S CHROME AND EUROPEAN SPEED AT AUCTIONS AMERICA’S FORT LAUDERDALE SALE

· Auctions America announces latest highlights for its well-established Fort Lauderdale, Florida sale, April 1-3

· South Florida’s premier collector car auction, three-day auction to feature diverse roster of nearly 500 collector cars and select automobilia

· Postwar period spectacularly represented by offering of a very special 1948 Tucker 48

· Event information and a frequently updated list of entries available online at www.auctionsamerica.com

AUBURN, Indiana (January 13, 2015) – A historically significant 1948 Tucker 48 will be amongst a tremendous assortment of quality collectors cars when Auctions America presents its 14^th annual Fort Lauderdale sale, April 1-3. Widely regarded as South Florida’s premier collector car auction, the highly anticipated event—the first of Auctions America’s 2016 season—will provide a wonderful showcase of automotive history for collectors and enthusiasts alike, lifting the gavel on more than 475 automobiles and select automobilia. In keeping with Auctions America’s commitment to offer diverse, quality product, the event will shine a spotlight on a broad cross-section of the market, including American Classics, European sports cars, Detroit muscle, hot rods and customs.

The 1948 Tucker 48 leads a wide selection of American Classics secured for the April sale. At a time when rapid industrialization was transforming culture and design, the Tucker 48 was a rolling symbol of the American dream and one of the most advanced early post-war automobiles. In total, just 51 examples of the celebrated Tucker were assembled, rendering the offering of any example a very rare and special opportunity. The featured car, a stunning example of Art Deco styling, is both an interesting and historically significant part of the Tucker story. Beginning life as the factory automatic transmission test chassis, it was later completed by several enthusiasts using sourced parts and patterns taken from the excellent original Tucker at the Gilmore Car Museum, resulting in a highly detailed and authentic restoration. It has since been displayed at several concours events, including the 2015 Concours d’Elegance of America at St. John’s, where it was awarded Best in Class (Est. $950,000 – $1,250,000).

“The offering of any Tucker at public auction is significant given the marque’s short-lived history and limited production. The restoration quality of this example is truly second-to-none – there hasn’t been a comparable example offered at auction in some years,” says Donnie Gould, president, Auctions America. “We’re thrilled to be offering a car so ingrained and celebrated in American automotive history as the Tucker in Fort Lauderdale, which is again shaping up as a must-attend event for enthusiasts of all stripes.”

From the dramatic Art Deco styling of the 40s to the flamboyant 50s, when chrome and tailfins were all the rage, the Fort Lauderdale event will also shine the spotlight on a terrific series of American-built post-war classics. Notable early highlights of this group include a limited production, multiple award-winning 1954 Buick Skylark Convertible; presented in Condor Yellow with a Black and Cream interior and black canvas power top, this professionally restored Skylark is powered by a 321-cid, 200hp V-8 Fireball engine and fitted with the Twin-Turbine Dynaflow automatic transmission (Est $175,000 - $200,000). Also poised for the Fort Lauderdale stage, a beautifully maintained 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; widely recognized as an emblem of 1950s America, the Bel Air is finished in its correct shade of Matador Red and equipped with a V-8 engine and dual exhaust (Est. $90,000 - $100,000).

For those who crave a little more power under the hood, American Muscle is highlighted by a trio of Shelbys, including the previously announced 1967 Shelby GT 500 Fastback and 1968 Shelby GT 500KR Convertible. Joining the powerful duo is a 1965 Shelby GT 350 Fastback, equipped with its original engine and retaining many original features including correct wood-rimmed steering wheel and seatbelts, with a “Cyclops eye” tachometer mounted to the dashboard (Est. $350,000 - $450,000). The docket also includes a fully-documented 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air III, one of only 29 fitted with an automatic transmission and the only example presented in “triple green” (Est. $100,000 - $140,000).

Last but not least, leading a superb assortment of European sports cars expected at Auctions America’s Fort Lauderdale sale is a 10,000-mile, highly original 1983 Ferrari 512 BBi, finished in the signature two-tone Boxer color scheme of Red and Black; along with a very rare 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6, a beautiful example of the last year of the 964 variant, and with 355 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque (Est. $200,000 - $250,000).

Auctions America’s 14^th annual Fort Lauderdale auction will be held at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, April 1-3. To discuss consignment opportunities, please call toll free 877-906-2437 (or +1 954 566 2209 outside North America) or visit www.auctionsamerica.com to view further event details and a frequently updated list of entries.

ABOUT AUCTIONS AMERICA

Formed in July 2010, Auctions America specializes in the sale of American Classics, European sports cars, Detroit muscle, hot rods and customs. Headquartered at the historic Auburn Auction Park in Indiana, Auctions America boasts an expert team of full-time vehicle specialists, who offer over 150 years’ combined experience buying, selling, racing and restoring collector vehicles, making them uniquely qualified to advise on all aspects of the hobby. The company’s established roster of annual events are held in some of the country’s leading automotive destinations including Auburn, Indiana; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Santa Monica, California; and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. To learn more about Auctions America, visit auctionsamerica.com, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @auctionsamerica.

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LEAKE AUCTIONS Check out the Falbo Collection!

Oklahoma City - Cox Pavilion
February 19, 20 & 21 - 550 Cars
Here's a Look Inside the Tom Falbo Collection!

Leake Auction Company was established in 1972 as one of the first car auction houses in the country. More than 40 years later, we have sold over 34,000 cars and currently operate auctions in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Dallas.

11508 E 58th St | Tulsa, OK 74146 US

Rare Lamborghini Countach 400S joins Race Retro Classic Car Sale

Incredibly rare 1981 Lamborghini Countach 400S joins Race Retro Classic Car Sale

2016 is here and we are busy preparing for what promise to be some very exciting sales this spring. Our first sale of the year will take place at Race Retro, at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on the 26th-28th February, with some very special lots already consigned.

This incredibly rare 1981 Lamborghini Countach 400S is an original, right-hand drive example and one of just seven produced. With just 61,155 km (38,221 miles) on the clock, according to the MoTs it has only covered 2,880km (1,800 miles) in the ownership of the current vendor, having been used lightly for the last few years.

‘GJK 854X’ is presented in Lamborghini Pearl Yellow with the classic interior in good condition, finished in Oatmeal Leather with a Black Suede dash top. It's accompanied by a comprehensive history file with nearly all of the MoTs present and there are dozens of invoices relating to work carried out over the years.

This car also features heavily in Chris Bennett's book "Lamborghini Countach" published in 1993.

The Lamborghini Countach is truly an iconic supercar and a car that every collector should take the opportunity to own at some point. This particular example is a fabulous piece of 1970's road art and is worthy of consideration, especially as a low-mileage 1981 LP400S-Series III has recently changed hands in the International market for a substantial sum, and other LP400S' appear to be changing hands for figures well in excess of our guide price here.

Estimate (£): 200,000 - 250,000