Voisin masterpieces go under the hammer with RM Sotheby's

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

As a sponsor of the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, RM Sotheby's will be coming to London on Saturday 4th November, where a packed sale will be taking place just across from the St. James's Concours for veteran cars. Needless to say, the quality of consignments is very high and there are some wonderful pre-war cars in the catalogue which we'd be very glad to add to our own collection if circumstances would permit. These are some of the highlights:

1902 Oldsmobile Model R 'Curved Dash' - £40,000-50,000

Chances are, if you're attending the St. James's Concours, you might quite like to take part in the Veteran Car Run one day, if only you had an eligible car. A Curved Dash Oldsmobile could be perfect - they're among the most affordable veterans, parts availability and specialist support is excellent, and they'll easily fit in the smallest of garages. The example offered is a lovely example wearing an older restoration with an attractive light patina. A former exhibit at the REO Auto Museum in Salina, Kansas, it was imported into Britain in 2020. While there is a tendency to assume that an ex-display car might not be the best 'runner', we note that this example has participated in the London to Brighton since being imported so we're inclined to believe that all the hard work has been done, and it's new owner should have no further obligations but to drive and enjoy it. Very tastefully presented, at £40,000-50,000, it could be the ideal gateway into veteran car ownership.

1931 Bentley Eight-Litre saloon by Vanden Plas - £600,000-750,000

Of the 100 Eight-Litres built, chassis YX5113 was one of just 12 built on the short frame and three fitted with Vanden Plas's Silent Bloc saloon body, built along Weymann lines. Originally sold to J. A. Player of cigarette fame, its full ownership history has been recorded and it went out to California in 1955, eventually ending up an exhibit at the Larz Anderson Museum in Massachusetts. In single ownership from 1962 to 2018, it now appears as one of the most elegant, original and well-preserved Eight Litres, and it would be a welcome sight at any Bentley Drivers' Club event or major concours.

1931 Voisin C14 'Chartres' - £250,000-350,000

The first we learn of this 'Chartres' is that it was unearthed in 1965 in an elderly lady's barn by Voisin expert Yves Dalmier, who restored it over four years. It then passed to another owner who kept it for more than 30 years, it being sold at auction in 2004 to well-known Voisin collector Phillipp Moch. With Moch it underwent another restoration, this time to a concours standard, and it débuted at Pebble Beach in 2006, winning first place in the Voisin 1927-1933 class. The Voisin has since also appeared at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance and Goodwood's Style et Luxe, and has had thousands spent on it to keep it immaculate. Still concours-worthy, it looks just how one imagines a Voisin should and will surely appeal to any marque enthusiast.

1933 Mercedes-Benz 370S Mannheim Sport Cabriolet - £150,000-180,000

Perhaps the most extraordinary lot in the whole sale is this magnificent Mercedes-Benz, one of just 195 Sport Cabriolets built between 1931 and 1933. Believed to have been delivered new to Herr Frederic Boelech of Berlin, by 1955 it had been brought into Britain by a member of the R.A.F. stationed in Germany. It was acquired by the vendor's father in 1958, who part-exchanged his Hillman Minx for the Mercedes plus £125! However, a growing family soon rendered it impractical and in 1960 it was placed into storage, where it remained until earlier this year. Romantically presented with all its peeling paint and accumulated dust, it would be a fantastic car for somebody to restore to its former glory, obviously preserving as much original material as possible.

1925 Voisin C5 faux cabriolet by Besset - £80,000-140,000

With coachwork by the lesser-known Carrosserie Automobile Besset, this C5 looks almost conventional by Voisin standards, but it is still a very graceful car with its styling characterised by all sorts of beautiful curves. Little is known of this car until it was discovered in a French barn in 1975, after which it was subjected to a very long-term restoration by a Swiss enthusiast which was only completed in 2006. One of the nicest features of the restored car is its opulent velour interior, and also of note is the 'Toit Isothermic' system in the roof which can be opened for ventilation. Another potential concours star, this probably unique car is one we would love to see out and about.

More vintage and PVT delights

There's more, of course, such as a 1927 Amilcar C6 for £150,000-200,000, 1929 Bentley 4½-Litre supercharged Le Mans replica for £750,000-900,000, Le Mans-style 1929 Bentley Speed Six for £470,000-530,000, 1936 Lagonda LG45 sedanca de ville by Mayfair for £175,000-225,000 and 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith drophead for £50,000-70,000.

Take a look at the full catalogue here.

Kommentar abgeben...