Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 and Aston Martin DB2 to be auctioned

Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 and Aston Martin DB2 to be auctioned 12 August 2009 Building upon the success of their recent record-breaking Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event in Maranello, Italy, RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby’s, will proudly return to England on October 28th for the distinguished Automobiles of London event at Battersea Park. Over the past three years this stylish event has attracted discerning collectors from around the world, emerging as one of Europe’s leading collector car events for the highest quality automobiles. This year’s event is set to continue the momentum with over 75 of the world’s finest collector cars set to go under the hammer. Amongst early highlights are a very rare, remarkable 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I ‘Jarvis Torpedo’, a unique 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Boattail Skiff, and a hugely historic 1950 Aston Martin DB2 Team Car, which is coming to market for the first time in 53 years. “Both Aston Martin and Rolls-Royce are quintessentially English, making these cars perfect for our London sale,” said Max Girardo, Managing Director of RM Europe in describing the early consignments. “The Rolls-Royce Phantom I has a magnificent history and provenance, while the Aston Martin DB2 is undoubtedly the most significant and original Aston Martin Factory team car ever to be offered at public auction. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to offer both at our upcoming London sale,” he added. The elegant, streamlined 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I ‘Jarvis Torpedo’, chassis number 17EX, boasts a rich history. One of only three experimental chassis produced by Rolls-Royce at the time, 17EX was completed and sold new to Maharaja Hari Sigh Bahadur, ruler of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, who kept the car until 1932. The car remained in India up until 1976 when it was shipped to Europe. Beautifully restored, 17EX has since been shown on numerous occasions, including at the distinguished 1996 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, where it was awarded the Trofeo Rolls-Royce award for the most elegant Rolls-Royce, followed by an appearance at Pebble Beach in 2004 where it was displayed as part of the marque’s 100th anniversary celebrations. Joining 17EX at the Battersea auction will be a unique 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Boattail Skiff, chassis number 54PB, which is well known in Rolls-Royce circles and regarded as one of the most instantly recognizable of all Rolls-Royces. Another notable early consignment for the London auction is the 1950 Aston Martin DB2 Team Car ‘VMF 64’, which boasts an impressive race history, including Le Mans and Mille Miglia provenance. Retained by the factory for five years and employed by Aston Martin Chairman, David Brown as his personal transport in the 1950 – 1955 era, VMF 64 is regarded as the most successful of the three early Team DB2 sports cars. Over the years it has been driven by such period greats as Abecassis, Macklin, Sommer and Brackenbury, and its competition career has included two Le Mans, two Mille Miglias, two Alpine Rallies and one Ulster TT, Shelsley Walsh and Silverstone event. Notably, in 1951 it finished third overall at Le Mans. In 1956, after the Factory’s conversion to fast road specification, David Brown sold VMF 64 to his friend, the Honourable Gerald Lascelles who at the time was the President of the B.R.D.C. This example has remained in the family’s ownership for the past 53 years. The October 28th event will also present a rare, historically important 1962 Chaparral 1 Sports Racing Car, chassis number C1-004, one of only five built; a right-hand drive Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster, the only right-hand-drive example ever made; a stylish 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750; and a magnificent series of cars from the renowned Dutch collector, Mr. Edgar Schermerhorn, boasting awe-inspiring coachwork and fascinating provenance. Highlights from the Schermerhorn Collection set to go under the hammer include: a 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Zagato, a 1932 Lancia Astura Limousine by Boneschi and a 1947 Cisitalia 202 Cabriolet. Proudly presented by RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby’s, the Automobiles of London event will be held October 28th, 2009 at Battersea Evolution, London, England. A full day preview will be held October 27th, 2009 from 10.00am – 5.00pm GMT, followed by all the auction action on October 28th from 3.00pm GMT. Admission to the event is by catalog only which is available for £70 and admits two. For further information, to discuss consignment opportunities, or for further information on early consignments, visit rmauctions.com.