The Retromobile Paris is looming fast and as usual RM Sotheby’s have a great selection of top class classics to select from, but here are my top five :
As ever it is so hard to pick your favourite from such a mouth watering selection. But if money were no object my heart of desires goes straight for this pre-war ex-Grand Prix model. One of Alfa Romeo’s most important cars, such as the one driven by Jack Shuttleworth who won the inaugural British GP in 1935. This one was campaigned by Scuderia Ferrari in 1934 and 35, an incredible piece of history which was reunited with its original crankcase by a previous collector presenting an 83 yr old Grand Prix car with matching numbers. (Which is like finding out Mick Jagger has all his own teeth!) Anyway no need to make space in the shed just yet unless the Euro lottery comes in, reserve is set at €3,800,000 – €5,000,000
We love a 50’s racing car in this household, and this little OSCA is an absolute darling. One of just 72 MT4 examples built, it is the same body style as famously raced by Stirling Moss in the 1954 Sebring 12 hrs to take winning honours. This one has period history having raced in the Mille Miglia and ’54 Carrera Panamericana offering you a highly eligible car which would be much admired and give you access to enter any prestigious historic event around the globe. Just a word of warning – with just 135hp from the 4 cylinder, 4 speed engine – don’t expect to be winning! Estimate €975,000 – €1,175.000
Not quite sure why the lovely Elite was photographed on super a murky day but this red rocket brightened up my day. Restored to within an inch of its life with £50K worth of bills, this matching numbers FIA spec car has all the right paperwork and is basically ready to race. Perfect for many UK classic series including GT & Sports Car Cup, and Peter Auto’s Sixties Endurance’ races and others – estimated to fetch €75,000 – €85,000.
In the Porsche line-up, there were lots to choose from, but I narrowed it down to just two. The press guff is trying to highlight a 1964 Porsche 901 cabriolet, a bit of a one-off produced by Karmann, but the two words Porsche and cabriolet just don’t really fit in my mind and trust me, it looks odd. The 1970 Porsche 917 is where the money is and would be a good collection addition even in its second hand looking state. The 1991 Porsche 964 Cup car feels the best value for fun to me, prices have cooled off slightly, it has good history having raced in the Nurburgring 24 Hours and would make an awesome track or race car. Estimated to fetch €225,000 – €275,000
1964 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III BJ8 Works Rally Car
You can’t beat a good Healey they are so versatile and eligible for so many races or rally tours and can get results! The original 100’M’ is apparently confirmed as one of the 640 ‘M’ for Le Mans editions produced and looks to be in excellent condition, estimated to fetch €170,000 upwards. The ’64 works rally car BJ8 is one of three ‘Works’ cars campaigned in 1964 but BMO 93B was THE ACTUAL winner of the 1964 Spa-Sofia-Leige rally – one of the toughest rallies of the time. If you want a driveable race/ rally / road tourer with superb provenance, this is the one to have. Estimated to fetch €340,000 – €450,000.
Editor – SBB – Opinions are like an annoying friend, everyone has at least one, – these are mine! Let me know yours!
