Editorial

Those fortunate enough to have been at Silverstone last weekend witnessed a superb UK debut win for Aston Martin in the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy race. The green cars did not have it all their own way though, being chased all the time for the three hour duration of the event by a hoard of Maserati MC12s and Ferrari 550, and 575s. It was truly redolent of the great GT races of the ’60s and a great portent for Le Mans in a month or so’s time.

One such machine from 40-odd years ago is the extraordinary Ferrari 250GT SWB, specially designed for Count Volpi’s Scuderia Serenissima Team and quickly christened ‘The Breadvan’ by virtue of its long roof and truncated Kamm tail. Christie’s will be auctioning the celebrated one-off at their August Monterey Sale. The price? $3,500,000-5,000,000 - and I can remember it being raced at club-level in the UK not so many years ago when its value must have been around £10,000. Ouch.

High-octane action in Jermyn St last night with dunhill throwing a party to celebrate their Motorities range of accessories for the well-heeled motoring cognoscenti. With burning rubber and a dress code of ‘Biker Chic’, we had to be there - full report next week.

Steve Wakefield Managing Editor sw@classicdriver.com

THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante ‘Prince of Wales’

One of a unique Aston Martin V8 commemorative collection for sale

The collection has been fastidiously maintained by the present, and second, owner. Each car - showing minimal mileage - carries a card in the glove box recording every occasion it has been used. Last year, all nine models were featured at Aston Martin’s new factory at Gaydon in Warwickshire during a visit by HRH The Prince of Wales.

Although introduced in 1978, the Volante did not become available to Vantage specification until 1986. Along with the Vantage engine and bonnet came flared wheelarches, boot spoiler (a feature the Volante had previously lacked) and extended front spoiler, while side extensions replaced the model’s hitherto characteristic chromed sill covers.

Not all Aston Martin customers found the new look to their liking however, preferring the more restrained appearance of the non-Vantage model. Foremost among these was HRH The Prince of Wales, who ordered his Volante with Vantage engine and bonnet but otherwise effectively to standard specification. For many the jewel in the Aston crown, the Vantage Volante to ‘Prince of Wales’ specification was produced for only two years from 1988, drawing uniquely from the best of the Volante and Vantage features. The factory went on to build 26 examples of the ‘Prince of Wales’ specification Vantage Volante before V8 production finally ceased in December 1989. This Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante ‘Prince of Wales’ was registered ‘G906 CPL’ in 1990. The car comes with Aston Martin attaché and vanity cases, all its books and at time of cataloguing had covered a mere 676 miles from new.

colour Hunter Green
interior colour Tan
drive RHD
year 1990

Estimate GBP 120.000 - 150.000

Auction House:


Bonhams Aston Martin Sale 4th June 2005
At Aston Martin Lagonda Limited, Works Service, Newport Pagnell
Automobilia starting at 13:30
Motor Cars starting at 15:00

Phone +44 (0)20 7468 5805

see all details

see complete auction entry

Maserati MC12

As New Maserati MC12 The actual Shanghai Motor Show car. This car was the 3rd one delivered and has covered only 600 test miles. It was produced in December 2004 and is as exclusive as it gets.

colour White/Blue
interior colour Blue
drive LHD
year 12/2004

Price GBP P.O.R.

Dealership:


Bob Houghton
Midwinter Road, Northleach, Cheltenham, GL54 3JD

Phone +44(0) 870 90 40 430

see all details

see complete stock from this dealer

Jaguar XK140 DHC

Dark Blue hood, 16" chromed wire wheels, full matching numbers and original colour specification, subject of a total chassis-off restoration 11 years ago - unused since. Excellent example with good attention to detail, nicely restored.

colour Birch Grey
interior colour Red
drive RHD

Price GBP P.O.R.

Dealership:


JD Classics
36 Wycke Hill Business Park, Wycke Hill, Maldon, Essex CM9 6UZ

Phone +44 (0)1621 879579

see all details

see complete stock from this dealer

Mille Miglia Retrospective, Italy
19th - 22nd May 2005

6th Rallye de Princesses, France
22nd - 27th May 2005

SPAITALIA, Belgium
28th - 29th May 2005

The Three Castles Welsh Classic Trial, Wales, UK
1st - 4th June 2005

Bonhams Aston Martin Sale at ‘Works Service’, Newport Pagnell, UK
4th June 2005

Christie's Exceptional Motor Cars At the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, USA
5th June 2005

Barons Classic, Collectors, Thoroughbred and Sports Car Auction, Esher, UK
6th - 7th June 2005

Christie's Summer Sale of Motor Cars , London, UK
11th June 2005

Fine Motor Cars, The Jaguar Legend - Coys Auction , Blenheim Palace, UK
18th June 2005

Le Mans 24 Hours, France
18th - 19th June 2005

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2005, Goodwood, W.Sussex, UK
24th - 26th June 2005

The Silverstone Classic, in association with Bonhams, UK
30th - 31st July 2005

see further event details

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