Bugatti Type 57 for June Auction
1936 Bugatti Type 57 Graber Sports Saloon
Registration Number: JT-80-50 (Dutch Registered)
Chassis Number: 57443
Part of the Bugatti Type 57 launch range the ‘Galibier’ was a four-door, four-seater touring saloon. Named after a peak in the French Alps and notable for its pillarless doors, the model was otherwise a somewhat conservative design with formal lines and an upright stance. However, customers wishing for a sportier variation on the Galibier theme could always have their Type 57 chassis clothed by an outside coachbuilder.
Entrusted to Carrosserie Graber, chassis 57443 retained the comfortable four-seater accommodation and pillarless doors of the factory offering but added a number of decidedly rakish touches. For instance, the absence of external rear door handles made the car look more like a coupe than a saloon. An impression reinforced by the sloping tail complete with ‘sunken’ spare wheel and pontoon wings. A particularly nice feature is the moulded swage line that begins at the radiator’s shoulders, runs along the bonnet sides and then flows down towards the rear wings taking the window ledges with it.
A much treasured possession, this Bugatti has been in the current family ownership since 1962. Pleasingly retaining its original tan leather upholstery, the Type 57 is running and driving but would benefit from recommissioning. Known to the Dutch Bugatti Register and something of a timewarp, chassis 57443 will accompany us to the Vintage Sports Car Club’s April 26th Silverstone meeting and the Bugatti Owners Club’s May 24th – May 25th La Vie en Bleu weekend.
H&H at the Royal Hall - A Venue With A Difference
Situated in the heart of one of the UK’s best loved spa towns, the Harrogate International Centre has played host to numerous important events since its December 1981 opening. A state-of-the-art facility, it nevertheless incorporates an historical and architectural jewel in the shape of the Royal Hall. The creation of Britain’s greatest theatre designer, Frank Matcham and his architect Robert Beale, this magnificent building was modelled on the great ballrooms and music pavilions of Imperial Europe.
A real sight to behold, the Royal Hall will provide the backdrop to H&H’s April 15th -16th 2008 auction. While, the majority of the vehicles offered will be displayed in the adjoining fully carpeted and lit exhibition halls, the rostrum will be placed centre stage. Adding to the sense of occasion that this sale promises is the early consignment of two ultra-rare and significant Aston Martins.
1966 Aston Martin DB6 Short Chassis Volante
Arguably, the most desirable series of Aston Martin convertibles ever made and the first to carry the ‘Volante’ moniker, the DB6 Short Chassis cars are also the rarest. One of only 37 examples built, chassis DBVC/2323/R left the factory on 24th September 1965 and was first registered on 11th January 1966. Finished in Pacific Blue with tan leather upholstery, the car has formed part of a small private collection since 2000. The engine underwent an extensive overhaul in 1988 by marque specialist Goldsmith & Young and has since covered only 7,000 miles. Visually distinguished from its DB5 Convertible predecessor by an enlarged oil cooler duct and split front / rear bumpers, the DB6 Short Chassis Volante also sported an updated interior and different rear lights. Rare to the market, surviving examples top the wish list of many a collector.
Estimate: £300,000 - £350,000
1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Vantage
Notable as the first Aston Martin design on which the word ‘Vantage’ was used to signify a distinct model, the DB4 Series IV Vantage was only in production between March and October 1962. One of just 45 cars made (and therefore rarer than a DB4 GT), chassis DB4/952/R has the further distinction of being the first customer car. As well as a ‘big valve’, triple SU carburettor fed Special Series engine, its generous specification included a DB4GT instrument panel, overdrive, limited slip differential and heated rear screen. The subject of a recent restoration and various sympathetic upgrades, it is offered for sale in first class order. Shorter, lower-slung and reputedly some 500lbs lighter than the DB4 Series V Vantage and DB5 with which they share their frontal styling, the DB4 Series IV Vantage cars are particularly sought after.
Estimate: £200,000 - £240,000
H&H & VSCC
From the VSCC Club Magazine
The Club is just about to embark on its second year of partnership with H & H Classic Auctions whose record in dealing with VSCC eligible cars goes from strength to strength. The recent sale at Buxton was bursting with VSCC members and a recent meeting between H&H and the Club accentuated the multi-faceted aspects of our partnership and ambitious plans for the future of which there will be more soon. In the meantime, as VSCC members you can be assured of a personal service and attractive rates whether buying or selling.
Having enjoyed another record year in 2007, H&H has strengthened its hard working team of specialists with the addition of Marcus Ross who joins H&H as Senior Car Specialist alongside Damian Jones. A self-confessed petrol head, he spent the first 10 years of his working life selling advertising space for some of the country’s leading historic car publications, including Classic & Sports Car and The Automobile. In 1994, he joined British Car Auctions (BCA) where he ultimately assumed the role of Operation Manager for the Classic & Historic car Division. After six years at BCA, he moved to Bonhams where, among other auctions, he was solely responsible for the last four of the company’s much-revered Aston Martin sales, held each year at the Aston Martin factory at Newport Pagnell. Said Marcus, "Like many people, I have been watching H&H steadily grow in stature and like the way they operate. Their record of year on year expansion excites me, as does the fact that they have succeeded in every sector of the collectors’ market they have entered to date – cars, motorcycles, bicycles, aircraft, registration plates and automobilia. Clearly I am party to the company’s exciting plans and I believe it is a perfect time to come aboard. I am very much looking forward to my first sale (Cheltenham, February 26/27, 2008), for which there are already some extremely interesting entries." Marcus was educated in Surrey and he and his wife now live in the same town in which he first went to school. He lists motor sport, cycling, golf and scuba diving amongst his hobbies.
On the sales front, a 1935 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Pescara Spyder that competed in the Mille Miglia and was once owned by Benito Mussolini will be auctioned by H&H at The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse on February 27, 2008. Of huge historical importance, the stunning dark red Two-Seater carries an estimate of £600,000-800,000. Chassis 700635, clothed in striking coachwork by Carozzeria Touring, was built to the special order of Benito Mussolini. Before delivery he had it modified with a dickey seat and the engine was specially tuned to deliver 95bhp rather than the 68bhp of the standard model. The car was driven in the 1936 Mille Miglia by Ercole Boratto – an ex-Alfa Romeo test driver who was Mussolini’s chauffeur at the time. The car finished 13th overall and 3rd in class. Mussolini retained the car until 1939, since when it has only had three owners, the latest of which had it restored by Dino Cognolato to a standard good enough to achieve second in class in the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours and victory in the New York Concours meeting of the same year. This ‘matching numbers’ car even retains traces of the partial alcohol fuelling system it is believed to have operated during the Mille Miglia, when the fascist regime was promoting the use of alternative fuels in the face of stringent petrol sanctions! (some things never change – Ed)
Whilst not of direct interest to many VSCC members, it is still only a few months since the rally world lost one of its all time heroes - Britain’s first ever World Rally Champion, Colin McRae, who sadly died in a helicopter accident. Under the circumstances, it is especially poignant for H&H to be offering one of Colin’s former cars – the 1992 Subaru Legacy ‘J314 PWL’ in which he won the British Rally Championship of that year, the second of his career. It carries an estimate of £70,000-100,000.
Again, not strictly VSCC territory but very interesting nonetheless are the ex-Paddy Hopkirk Minis which have long since been sought by collectors the world over. H&H will be auctioning not one but two of these in the Cheltenham sale.
1964 Morris Mini Cooper S ‘CRX 90B’ was the prototype for the hydrolastic rally Minis and contested the 1964 RAC Rally in the hands of Hopkirk and Henry Liddon. It was then used by BMC stalwarts Don and Erle Morley on the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally. It remained with the BMC Competition Department until 1968, when it was purchased by Works co-driver Paul Easter. It subsequently passed through several hands before being fully restored and finishing second to Hopkirk’s AJB 44B on the RAC Golden 50 Rally of 1982. Estimate - £40,000-50,000.
1967 Morris Mini Cooper S ‘OBL 45F’ began and ended its Works career as a circuit racer (a response to the increasing domination on rally stages the world over of models such as the Porsche 911 and Renault Alpine 110). First driven in anger by John Handley at Brands Hatch in 1969, it went on to contest the Tour de France that year in the hands of Paddy Hopkirk and Tony Nash, winning its class.The car passed into private ownership when the Competition Department was wound up. Following a lengthy restoration, it is now offered as seen at Brands Hatch nearly 40 years ago. Estimate - £30,000-40,000.
Marcus Ross Joins H&H From Bonhams
Having enjoyed another record year in 2007, H&H has strengthened its hard working team of specialists with the addition of Marcus Ross.
Marcus joins H&H as Senior Car Specialist alongside Damian Jones. A self-confessed petrol head, he spent the first 10 years of his working life selling advertising space for some of the country’s leading historic car publications, including Classic & Sports Car and The Automobile. In 1994, he joined British Car Auctions (BCA) where he ultimately assumed the role of Operation Manager for the Classic & Historic car Division.
After six years at BCA, he moved to Bonhams where, among other auctions, he was solely responsible for the last four of the company’s much-revered Aston Martin sales, held each year at the Aston Martin factory at Newport Pagnell.
Said Marcus, "Like many people, I have been watching H&H steadily grow in stature and like the way they operate. Their record of year on year expansion excites me, as does the fact that they have succeeded in every sector of the collectors’ market they have entered to date – cars, motorcycles, bicycles, aircraft, registration plates and automobilia.
"Clearly I am party to the company’s exciting plans and I believe it is a perfect time to come aboard. I am very much looking forward to my first sale (Cheltenham, February 26/27, 2008), for which there are already some extremely interesting entries."
Marcus was educated in Surrey and he and his wife now live in the same town in which he first went to school. He lists motorsport, cycling, golf and scuba diving amongst his hobbies.
Classic Driver - November Auction Preview
It's H&H's last 2007 sale, and with a bumper 95-car entry they hope to finish on a high. The catalogue is considerably enhanced by several Ferraris and Astons, and there's also a 1957 AC Ace Bristol estimated at £80,000 - 100,000, originally supplied new to Ken Rudd of Worthing who went on to become famous for his 'Ruddspeed' engine tuning business.
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