Seven cars from the collection of a Paris-based American classic car enthusiast have provided a unique foundation for H&H’s final sale of 2006 – Buxton, November 21/22.
Topping the list is one of the famous and immensely desirable quartet of Fox & Nicholl Talbot 105 Team Cars of 1931. The crowning glory of ‘GO 54’ was third place overall in the Le Mans 24 Hour Race of 1932 in the hands of the
Hon. Brian Lewis and Tim Rose Richards. It also competed twice for the Tourist Trophy (1932 and 1934). Road legal and exhibiting a wonderful patina, ‘G0 54’ comes with a substantial history file and carries an estimate of £180,000-220,000.
Of equal presence is the 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Tourer, with coachwork by Wilkinsons of Derby. Understood to have started life as a Barker Landaulette, it underwent the transformation to open Tourer many years ago. Estimate: £60,000-70,000. Of the same age and equally elegant is
the 20HP Cabriolet, once the property of the Maharaja of Gwallior. Estimate: £45,000-55,000. Another crowd stopper is the 1928 Lancia Lambda Tourer. Estimate: £18,000-22,000.
The collection’s remaining quartet comprises a 1939 Sunbeam Talbot 4-litre Doctor’s Coupe (£10,000-12,000), a LHD 1961 Healey 3000 (£18,000-22,000), a 1960 Jaguar MKII 3.8-litre automatic (also LHD – £12,000-15,000) and an extensively renovated 1948 MG YA Saloon (£10,000-12,000).
There are two splendid Lagondas consigned for this sale. The 1930 2-litre Supercharged Tourer is very unusual in having retained its original fabric bodywork to this day. Estimate: £60,000-70,000. The 1933 3-litre Open Tourer is offered by a deceased estate, has been the subject of an older
restoration and sports a fine patina. Estimate: $45,000-50,000.
Embassy Escort
Genuine Works Escorts are highly sought after and the 1971 RS1600 in this sale was built for Roger Clark to compete in the 1971 RAC Rally, sponsored by Wills Tobacco and with Embassy branding. Despite breaking the gearbox and running out of fuel, Clark and regular co-driver Jim Porter finished 11th overall. Estimate: £40,000-50,000.
The Citroen DS range has rocketed in value of late and the rare 1970 DS21 EFi Usine Decapotable offered is likely to cause considerable interest. A two-owner example, it is in good usable condition with 189,000 recorded kilometres. Estimate: £55,000-60,000.
Last but not least Other entries to date include a very original Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider, a nicely presented Alvis TC21 Tickford Drophead Coupe, a competition-prepared
Porsche 911, a 1950 Bentley MKVI Drophead Coupe, a superb Volkswagen Beetle 1300 that is believed to have covered just 26,000 miles from new, and a Triumph ‘Zest’ prototype in sensational condition throughout.