Auctions
Key highlights at classic and racing auctions from around the world
Artcurial
@ Monte Carlo, Monaco July 2
1967 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Pininfarina
Elegant touring Ferrari with original interior. Sold for €383,744
1974 Porsche Carrera RSR
More than a dozen appearances at the Sebring 12 Hours and Daytona 24. Sold for €1,769,280
1982 Renault 5 Turbo Gp4
Factory-fitted with the ‘Cevennes’ Gp4 upgrade; sold new to Bulgaria and much rallied there
Sold for €167,888
Historics at Brooklands
@ Brooklands, UK July 8
1972 Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato
Competizione-spec Alfa with Group 4 engine. Sold for £34,720
1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary
Scissor-wing V12 and definitive bedroom-wall poster icon. Sold for £200,000
1975 Jensen GT
One of fewer than 20 in UK. Sold for £15,680
H&H
@ Duxford, UK July 26
1961 Lotus Elite S2
Prepped for racing by Lotus and delivered new to Gilby Engineering F1 team. Estimate: £75–90,000
1987 Bristol Brigand
One of two known to the DVLA, formerly owned by the singer Will Young. Estimate: £40–50,000
1964 Mini Cooper S
Road version of the Monte-winning miniature saloon. Estimate: £70–80,000
Silverstone Auctions
@ Silverstone, UK July 27
1990 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo
Works Group A rally car. One of the most dominant machines of all, piloted by four-time WRC champion Juha Kankkunen.
Estimate: £120–150,000
2010 Chevron B8
Fast, forgiving and untouchable on a short circuit. Estimate: £100–120,000
1989 Ford Sierra RS500
Ex-Tim Harvey. Third overall in the 1990 BTCC and the only surviving Labatt’s Sierra in race-ready BTCC spec. Estimate: £180–220,000
@ Silverstone, UK July 29
1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Previously owned by Sir Elton John. Estimate: £525–575,000
1994 Aston Martin Virage
Estimate: £38–44,000
1991 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton
377bhp performance machine in the guise of an executive saloon. Estimate: £60–70,000
Mecum
@ Monterey, USA August 16
1958 Lister-Jaguar ‘Knobbly’
The second of nine originals, campaigned by Stirling Moss in period. Estimate: POA
1987 Porsche 962
World Endurance Championship Group C racer, winner at Norisring and Kyalami. Estimate: POA
1964 Eisert ‘Harrison Special’ IndyCar
Oldest surviving mid-engined IndyCar, an early part of the Indy mid-engine revolution. Estimate: POA
RM Sotheby’s
@ Monterey, USA August 18
1950 Ferrari 166 MM/212 Export ‘Uovo’
Compellingly unique egg-shaped Ferrari that won the Coppa Toscana, designed with the help of sculptor Franco Reggani. Estimate: $5-7m
1989 Aston Martin AMR1 Group C
One of only four AMR1s in existence, campaigned by Brian Redman, David Leslie. Est: $475-675,000
Gooding & Company
@ Pebble Beach, USA August 18
1970 Porsche 917K
Owned by Jo Siffert; Gulf livery, appeared in Le Mans film. Estimate: $13-16,000,000
1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C
Alloy body, competition spec; one of 12. Extensive race history including Targa Florio Estimate: $12-16m
DREAM GARAGE
Talbot AV105
There’s no real definition of British Racing Green, but in the early 1930s if you went by race results you might find yourself drawn, not to the deep green of a Le Mans Bentley but to a shade of apple green, because that’s what Talbots wore. Somehow these Grand British Tourers haven’t lasted in the public mind the way anything with a winged B has, yet aficionados will argue their superior merits with conviction.
Successful from the outset on track and road, George Roesch’s 3-litre Talbot 105 proved rapid and highly reliable, taking class and overall victories at Brooklands in Double 12s and the 500, on the TT, showing well on the Mille Miglia and scoring a third at Le Mans. But it was lifting a Coupe des Alpes on the tortuous Alpine Rally that made the model’s reputation – and those works and semi-works machines have gone on competing and often winning ever since.
“This is a front-running car for pre-war events,” says Rory Henderson of Fiskens, where this example awaits a new custodian. “It’s competitive on the top rallies – this one won the Flying Scotsman in 2013 – and in any race for original pre-war machinery. Ideal for the Goodwood Revival’s Brooklands race.”
There was nothing unusual about Roesch’s tough straight six or the leaf-spring ladder chassis, beyond thorough design and quality engineering, but especially as campaigned by preparer Fox & Nichol the 105 showed fine handling and immense reliability, earning them the soubriquet ‘the Invincible Talbots’. That didn’t stop the firm enduring an undistinguished slide into obscurity within the Rootes combine, but at least it left us some very fine sporting vehicles.
Such as this one, AYL 2, built in 1934 for a Dr Roth to race at Brooklands and equipped as the works entries, including bodywork to the same pattern as the Alpine team cars. Raced at Brooklands by Roth and by Mike Couper and Chris Staniland, it received the enlarged 3.3-litre motor in 1936. Then it ran in single-seater form, but regained the original coachwork later on.
“It comes with files showing all its history,” says Rory. “It’s done a lot of rallies and been highly successful, and it recently had a full engine rebuild by marque specialist Pace Products so it’s completely ready to tackle anything. The previous owner was a Talbot enthusiast who used it for a range of events including driving to Le Mans for the Classic. It’s such a usable car. The ride isn’t harsh, it stops well for a pre-war car and it’s not lacking in go. You could drive it to the pub or to Le Mans equally easily.”
FACTFILE
YEAR 1934
ENGINE
3.3-litre pushrod 6, 110bhp
TRANSMISSION
pre-selector
SUSPENSION
front: solid axle, leaf springs; rear: live axle, leaf springs
TOP SPEED 110mph
PRICE £950,000