Bonhams | REVEALS ASTON MARTIN’S ULTIMATE RACE CAR

      

• Bonhams announces the sale of the 1936 Aston Martin Speed Model ‘Red Dragon’, estimated at £1.6-2 million
• The Aston Martin has impeccable provenance, having raced in the Mille Miglia, the Spa 24-Hours, the Ulster TT, and the Le Mans 24-Hours
• Wales-born racer, Dudley Folland, adapted the car’s bodywork to resemble an early Ferrari, and adorned it with the Welsh ‘Red Dragon’ emblem
• The car will be sold at Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale, taking place 10 September

The fierce ‘Red Dragon’ Aston Martin Speed Model is revealed as an early consignment for Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale, taking place 10 September 2016. The historical racing car has an outstanding competition history that includes the Italian Mille Miglia, the RAC Tourist Trophy in Ulster, and France’s famed Le Mans 24-Hour race. It is estimated at £1,600,000-2,000,000.

Built in 1936, the ‘Red Dragon’ was tailor-made to be the ultimate ‘Ulster’ Aston Martin, the car created for the British driver, Richard ‘Dick’ Seaman, to challenge Germany’s sophisticated new BMW 328s in the most important UK race of the period: the RAC TT on the Ards circuit in Northern Ireland.

Unfortunately, a win with the Aston wasn’t to be. The car was subsequently sold to Dutch owner/driver, Eddie Hertzberger, a few years later. He competed in this Aston Martin in the 1,000-mile round-Italy Mille Miglia and also in both the Belgian Spa and French Le Mans 24-Hour races. Hertzberger also won at the 1937 Grand Prix des Frontiéres meeting in Belgium.

The wealthy Welsh amateur racing driver, Dudley Folland, acquired the car after the war. Carmarthenshire-born Folland had started his racing career under the alias ‘Tim D. Davies’, contesting in the 1935 Le Mans with a Frazer Nash, before graduating to the powerful Aston.

John Polson, Bonhams Motoring Specialist, said: “Folland chose ‘Red Dragon’ because it was the most competitive British built car available in the early years after the war. Having proven itself in Hertzberger’s hands, it was the best British race car available, and Folland proved very competitive in it, finishing third in the Paris 12-hour race in Montlhéry in 1948, and holding 2nd in the Spa 24-hours before crashing dramatically very near the finish.”

Both races were won by the new Ferrari 166 Spider Corsa V12, driven by Luigi Chinetti. Folland was so impressed by the Ferrari’s speed and agility that despite his loss, he ordered one for himself, and in the meantime modified the Aston Martin after its Spa crash with lightweight bodywork resembling the Ferrari.

Today, the car still wears the famous Welsh racing driver’s livery – proudly emblazoned with the Welsh red dragon.

Tim Schofield, Bonhams UK Motoring Director, said: “This is an incredibly historic Aston Martin. Having competed in so many of the most renowned great sports car races of the 1930s and 1940s, it is regarded as the ultimate ‘Ulster’ Aston Martin and its provenance, including Dick Seaman, Eddie Hertzberger and Dudley Folland, is impeccable.”

CHILDREN’S FERRARIS OFFERED BY CHRIS EVANS AT BONHAMS SALE

Eight children’s race-cars, including half-scale Ferraris and pedal cars, feature at Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale, all offered from Chris Evans. The new Top Gear presenter is to sell over 100 lots of his personal collection. Entered at no reserve, the proceeds of the Chris Evans automobilia sale will go to BBC Charity, Children in Need.

 

Over 100 lots of Chris Evans personal automobilia will go under the hammer at Bonhams Goodwood Revival sale, taking place 12 September.

The sale includes models, movie posters and eight cars designed for young petrol heads or the young at heart, comprising two half-size Ferraris and other pedal and children’s cars, including an unusual Maserati example.

The highlight of the pee-wee racers is a child’s racing Ferrari 275P. Approximately half the size of a real-life Ferrari, the car is petrol-fuelled, and eligible for the ‘Little Big Mans’ children’s racing event at the legendary Le Mans 24-Hour circuit. The 275P is estimated at £6,000-8,000.

Also featured is a rare ‘Bimbo V12 Racer’ two-seat child’s motorised car by S.I.L.A. of Turin, Italy. With red fibreglass body, electric powered rear engine and Pirelli Bambino pneumatic tyres, the race car is perfect for the young enthusiast. It is offered at an estimate of £5,000-7,000.

Toby Wilson, Bonhams Head of Automobilia, said: “The Goodwood Revival Sale offers items for all enthusiasts, even young petrol-heads who no doubt will take particular interest in Chris Evans half-size Ferraris and Maseratis.”

Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale features over 200 lots of automobilia, with lots 92-212 offered directly from Chris Evans.

Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale takes place on 12 September in Goodwood, Chichester. For more information visit https://www.bonhams.com/departments/MOT-CAR/.

THE FANTASTIC THIRTEEN: CHRIS EVANS’ CARS OFFERED AT BONHAMS GOODWOOD REVIVAL SALE

Chris Evans, presenter, DJ, and the new host of Top Gear, has consigned 13 cars to Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale, taking place 12 September.

Leading the series are several of Evans’ highly prized Ferraris, including the rare right-hand drive 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy, estimate £2,600,000-2,900,000, the 1971 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 ‘Daytona’ Spider, estimate £2,300,000-2,600,000 and the 1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L ‘Lusso’, estimate £1,400,000-1,800,000.

Sholto Gilbertson, Bonhams Director of Motor cars, said: “Chris Evans is offering thirteen incredible motor cars at Bonhams sale, a stable which includes six outstanding Ferraris. Chris has been a long-standing client of Bonhams, so we’re delighted to offer his incredible motor cars at Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale. In refreshing his collection, others will have the opportunity to enjoy Chris’ fantastic cars – after all, you never ‘own’ a classic car, you enjoy it, look after it, and pass it on for others to appreciate.”

More than 140 lots of Evans’ Automobilia will also be offered, the proceeds of which will be donated to BBC charity, Children in Need.

The motor cars offered from Chris Evans are:

• 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy, estimate £2,600,000-2,900,000
• 1971 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider, estimate £2,300,000-2,600,000
• 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L ‘Lusso’, estimate £1,400,000-1,800,000
• 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS Spyder, estimate £1,300,000-1,600,000
• 1963 Ferrari 250 SWB Replica, estimate £500,000-600,000
• 1949 Jaguar XK120 ‘Alloy’ Roadster, estimated £325,000-375,000
• 1967 Jaguar XKSS ‘Lynx’, estimate £325,000-375,000
• 1936 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Replica, estimate £250,000-350,000
• 1970 Mercedes 280SL ‘Pagoda’, estimate £100,000-130,000
• 1989 Ferrari 328 GTS, estimate £100,000-130,000
• 1958 Jaguar XK150 3.4 Fixed Head Coupé, estimate £55,000-65,000
• 1964 Daimler Dart Police Car SP250, estimate £50,000-60,000
• 1983 Fiat 127 Abarth, estimate £10,000-15,000

Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale takes place on 12 September in Goodwood, Chichester. For more information visit https://www.bonhams.com/departments/MOT-CAR/.