La Familia
While we often see the likes of long-lost Bugattis or in-period rebodied Ferraris labelled as ‘survivor’ cars, it is this quirky Fiat 1200 Garden Vignale that proudly wears the accolade in this instance.
Designed by the visionary Giovanni Michelotti and built by Carrozzeria Vignale, this creation emerged as a unique interpretation of the Fiat 1200 Coupé, offering a distinctive three-door station wagon variant with sportiness and practicality aplenty. Now restored to a beautiful standard, this spacious oddity is believed to be the only one left in existence, and would be the ideal candidate for an Italian-themed collection, or to simply cause shock and awe at the local car meet!
The Last Lancia
Every decade of rallying has its icons, both in terms of cars and drivers. While the 1990s had its fair share of breakthrough talents, the McRaes, Burns and Solbergs of the sport all had to prove themselves against a true heroe of the rally stages. 1991 would see Carlos Sainz drive for Lancia in what would be the brand’s final appearance at the WRC, making this instantly recognisable example one for the history books.
Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-four engine mated to a six-speed Lancia Abarth R90 transmission, with all-wheel drive ensuring legendary handling and performance, this example was expertly restored in 2019 and now presents in far better condition than it likely ever did in period. As the final works-entered Lancia to secure an overall rally win, this is the piece of rallying history you need to own!
Foot to the floor in 1934
Maserati was the brand to beat during the early 1930s, and cars such as this Maserati 8CM were the machines every racer around the world wanted to finish ahead of. Producing over 200 horsepower and with a redline of nearly 6,000rpm, this pre-war machine would see its fair share of action during the 1934 season, being run by Team Braillard’s two drivers, Benoit Falchetto and Louis Braillard. They were a formidable pair, especially as Falchetto, who was half French, half Italian, had fought in World War I as a fighter pilot in the Italian Airforce.
After the car had been left in disrepair following World War II, a painstaking restoration was undertaken, finally being completed in the early 2000s. As many original parts as possible were saved and others were identified and reunited with the car, meaning the Maserati you see before you today still proudly retains its original engine, gearbox, rear axle and steering box.
The (Relatively) Affordable Icon
While there are plenty of other cars out there that offer true ‘bang for your buck’, be it for their impressive chassis or laughable power output, few cars offer value for money quite like the Series 1 Jaguar E-Type. A car that is universally loved by both the car obsessed and the uninitiated, the graceful lines of this Malcolm Sayer-designed delight make it seem like it would be completely out of reach, and yet prices have remained somewhat affordable by 1960s sports car standards.
Take this example as an ideal candidate, finished in a complementary Opalescent Golden Sand this Jag has covered just 1,800 miles since a full restoration was completed. Unknown to many onlookers, it has been discretely updated with a modern features such as air conditioning, twin engine cooling fans and even adjustable shocks to aid in dialling in the suspension. If some laid-back classic motoring adventures are on your 2025 bingo card, this is the car to do it in!
No Filter
Ah the 1970s, a time when smoking was safe, and racing was dangerous. An era where legends were born, through both talent and survival, and when monstrous creations such as this 1970 Ferrari 512 M chassis 1030 were created.
Raced hard at Daytona, Le Mans, Silverstone, Buenos Aires and Kyalami to name just a few, this formidable Ferrari shone against a jam-packed grid of glory-hungry rivals. Driven by the likes of Derek Bell, Hughes de Fierlant and the late Alain de Cadenet, this remarkable piece of history will come up for auction with RM Sotheby’s on the 4th to 5th of February 2025 in Paris, with an estimate of 9 to 12 million euros. Driving it to the petrol station for a pack of Camel filter cigarettes, though? Priceless!
