A 1930 OM 665 SS Superba 2.3-Litre Supercharged that won its class at the Mille Miglia will be featured at the 2014 Bonhams Goodwood Revival auction, scheduled for 13 September at the Goodwood Motor Circuit in Chichester, UK. After winning its class and finishing fifth overall at the Mille Miglia around Italy in 1930, the impressive OM continued with entries in a number of the most noted endurance races of its day including the Targa Florio and Tourist Trophy.
Perhaps lesser known than other Italian thoroughbreds, OM, which stood for Officine Meccaniche and translates as ‘Mechanical Workshops’, brought its engineering expertise from the manufacture of locomotives and rolling stock into motor car production in 1917 with the acquisition of Brescia-based car builder Zust. The four- and six-cylinder cars that they built through the 1920s and 1930s were proven to be particularly competitive, achieving numerous wins in national and regional events, establishing their reputation with first, second and third place finishes in the 1927 Mille Miglia.
After its career in international racing the OM on offer at the 2014 Bonhams Goodwood Revival was stored away in the Midlands of the United Kingdom, until decades later reappearing when discovered in the 1960s. Recognition of its importance can be attributed to the exhaustive research made by its owners in this period who have systematically pursued any leads to its history in an age when those associated with the car in the 1930s were still alive. The pre-sale estimate on the 2.3-litre supercharged OM 665 SS MM is £800,000 to £950,000 ($1,300,000 to $1,600,000 USD).
James Knight, Bonhams Global Head of Motoring, said, “Of most interest for the SS MM – or SS Mille Miglia model – is its automatic acceptance for the legendary Mille Miglia race, by way of having originally competed in this event in period. This hallowed status enables its next custodian to relive successes of the likes of Bassi and Gazzabini on the arduous 1000 mile course as well as numerous other events. Initial thoughts are that the OM should realize a high six-figure sum. It has been sympathetically restored and comes with one of the most comprehensive history files we have seen, having passed through a handful of noted collectors all the while being actively campaigned as it had in period.”
Items in the 2014 Bonhams Goodwood Revival Auction will be available to view on Friday 12th September and Saturday 13th September. The sale will begin at 1pm on Saturday 13th September with automobilia, and continue at 2.30pm with Motor Cars.
For additional information, visit www.bonhams.com.
[Source: Bonhams]
