Ownership of the ‘right’ car brings you more than the car itself: it opens the door to unofficial membership of an exclusive club, potentially granting you insider access to the world’s greatest events. So which car might you select from RM Auctions’ 25 May Villa Erba sale as a possible ticket to the best gatherings?
Colorado Grand
Probably the least well known of our five events, but arguably the most worthy in that it generates some USD 300,000 each year for small Colorado charities, this five-day September tour covers 1000 miles through the Rockies and is solely for pre-1961 sports and race cars ‘of distinction’. This 1957 BMW 503 Cabriolet could well be the ideal mount, with its recently rebuilt 3.2-litre V8 suggesting it’s tough enough even for the Rockies. RM’s estimate stands at EUR 260,000 – 340,000.
Auction listing in the Classic Driver Marketplace… >>
Goodwood Festival of Speed
On 12-14 July, it’s time once again for that fabulous garden party that is the Festival of Speed, where style is (almost) as important as the cars on the famous hillclimb. Clearly, to stand even a chance of being invited to take part, you’ll need an extremely special car that – preferably – is more than a little bit rapid uphill. How about a 1927 Grand Prix Bugatti, said by RM to be “highly original and well-known”? Yours for EUR 750,000 – 1,000,000, if the estimate is accurate.
Auction listing in the Classic Driver Marketplace…>>
1000 Miglia
To be accepted for the annual Mille Miglia retrospective, you ideally want a car that has genuine provenance in Italy’s 1000-mile road race. You could hardly do better, then, than the 1947 Mille Miglia Cisitalia works team car – the 202 SMM Nuvolari Spyder – that finished fourth overall that year. Add to that the fact that this is a unique, all-steel prototype and that it was first raced by Cisitalia founder Piero Dusio, and RM’s estimate of EUR 450,000 – 550,000 seems more than reasonable.
Auction listing in the Classic Driver Marketplace… >>
Le Mans Classic
Another car with Mille Miglia history, this 1933 MG K3 Magnette would also be a contender for the Le Mans Classic, that wonderful series of historic races that take place throughout a 24-hour period, every two years. Boasting an extensive pre-War race history, the supercharged six-cylinder racing car was the Earl Howe Mille Miglia works team car in 1933; and, with an estimate of EUR 580,000 – 700,000, would surely stand an excellent chance of gaining entry to the 1000-mile retrospective, as well as to Le Mans, or perhaps to the Monaco Historique?
Auction listing in the Classic Driver Marketplace… >>
Pebble Beach Concours
And now for something a little different. When it comes to Pebble Beach, it’s not speed that counts, but sublime, exotic styling – the sort that makes onlookers stop in their tracks and stare. And few cars in the world would attract more attention than the 1930 Bugatti Type 46 Coupé Superprofilée, ‘La Petite Royale’, said by RM to be “Jean Bugatti’s most exotic coachwork design” with a “beautifully detailed interior in ostrich leather and walnut”. The Bugatti Royale’s little sister, at a (relatively) palatable estimate of EUR 840,000 to 1,000,000, could be just the job for a trip to the concours lawn.
Auction listing in the Classic Driver Marketplace… >>
As potential buyers are no doubt aware, no car can ever guarantee entry to an invitation-only event such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed or Pebble Beach. We aim only to suggest the ‘right’ sort of car to be considered for an invitation.
| Related Links All lots to be featured at RM Auctions' Villa Erba sale can be found in the Classic Driver Marketplace |
Text: Charis Whitcombe (Classic Driver)
Photos: RM Auctions
