The Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed Auction 2013 will be staged Friday 12 July at Goodwood House in Chichester, Sussex, with a selection of automobiles offered as the official auction of the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
In addition to the previously announced Mercedes-Benz W196 and Maserati 300S, a 1934 Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 ‘Le Mans’ Tourer from long-term ownership (estimate £1.4 million – £1.8 million) will also headline the 2013 auction. Since it was purchased by its current owner in 1969 the car has been driven extensively and sympathetically, and has attended a multitude of historic sporting events, both at home and on the continent. Although its original coachwork style is unknown, the car spent many years as a saloon by Corsica before being re-bodied in its present Le Mans-style coachwork in the late 1970s. It retains its original engine and chassis numbers, and is in top driving condition.
Joining the list of ex-race cars consigned is the 1965 Lotus Cortina Competition Saloon that won that year’s European Touring Car Championship for Sir John Whitmore and Alan Mann Racing (estimate £90,000 – £120,000). Arguably the most famous of all racing Cortinas, ‘KPU 392C’ is one of two campaigned by the team during a year in which it dominated the series, with Sir John winning eight races and hill climbs out of the nine events contested.
Another featured offering is ‘NOJ 392’, the lightweight Austin-Healey 100 Special Test Car that was the Works team entry into the 1953 Mille Miglia and Le Mans 24 Hour Race. The sixth built at Warwick in early 1953, the second of four racing models, and the only one to remain in its original form, this important car is highly original and offered in exceptional condition. In 1953 it finished 12th at Le Mans – second in class – recording an average speed of 89.59mph and a top speed of 118.2mph.
James Knight, Bonhams Group Motoring Director, said, “Having handled the sister car – NOJ 393 – that achieved a new world record for any Austin-Healey in December 2011, I am naturally delighted that Bonhams has been asked to handle the sale of NOJ 392. This car – uniquely – remains in Special Test Car configuration, the specification that it ran as a Works entry at the 1953 Le Mans 24-hours and Mille Miglia races. It is the sole survivor in this form as NOJ 391 no longer exists and NOJ 393 evolved into the 100S.”
“As you will have read, we have consigned other highly significant motor cars for the Bonhams Festival of Speed auction, and it looks likely to eclipse last year’s record breaking Sale. We have a number of spaces left and the indicators are that we will be collating one of the most exciting auctions ever seen,” continued Knight.
For additional information, visit Bonhams.com.
[Source: Bonhams]
