RM Sotheby’s, the official auction house of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, will be returning to the shores of Lake Como, Italy, for its highly anticipated Villa Erba sale, on May 27. Showcasing the very best in purebred automobiles, RM has already confirmed a series of stylish and speedy motor cars for the boutique evening sale.
Those preferring pre-war coachbuilt cars will be able to enjoy a selection of the most coveted of all the sporting 1930s Grand Tourers, two outstanding examples among them being a 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS 4th Series and a 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Prototype. Both cars were pioneers in the fields of design and performance.
The Alfa (above, Tim Scott photo courtesy of RM Sotheby’s), chassis no. 8513001, is the first 4th series car produced and one of only two given coachwork by Carrozzeria Sport S.A. Its first driver was Baron Horst Von Waldthausen, who campaigned it in the 1932 Swiss Car Championship, followed by Julio Villars who drove it in the European Hill Climb Championship. Extremely well documented, 8513001 has been cherished by a limited chain of owners during its lifetime, including 48 years in single-ownership. It was sold to its current custodian in 2007 following a full restoration, and has since been lovingly stored in a climate-controlled garage.
The Bugatti, chassis no. 57254, is a fine example of the marque, one of just three Atalante prototypes, which was delivered new to the Bugatti Works driver Meo Costantini with a specially tuned engine. Elevating its rarity, it is one of few built by Carrosserie Bugatti, and even rarer still, one of comparatively few Atalantes retaining its matching numbers status. It comes to market showing just 26,000 kilometers — believed to be original — and accompanied by its original tool kit
RM’s Villa Erba sale will offer a carefully curated roster of just 50 of the world’s finest automobiles, along with a superb selection of motorcycles. For complete information please visit www.rmsothebys.com
