Motorclassica 2013 auction preview
Theodore Bruce, Australia's oldest auction house, has consigned an international-class group of cars for its auction of the evening of Saturday 26th October.
Heading the list are two centenarians, an incredible and little known 1913 Hispano-Suiza Alfonso XIII Model T15 delivered new to Australia, and a very rare Nazzaro Tipo 2 of the same type in which ace Felice Nazzaro won the Targa Florio one hundred years ago. Both cars have been in separate long term family ownership (over 20 and 48 years respectively) and are in very good condition and highly original with excellent provenance.
Two very collectible Holdens, "Australia's own car", are also featured. The 1947 Holden Prototype Number 4 has previously featured in JUST CARS, and has significance as the oldest Australian Holden in existence. Being a prototype, , "KJ-400" predates the birth of Australian car manufacturing, or at least Holden's. It has been in current ownership for over 33 years.
The other Holden is a remarkably correct and complete 1977 Group C A9X Torana hatch, which Theodore Bruce describes as perhaps the most original of the 33 examples of these sports racing cars built.
The 1968 Sydney Motor Show Lamborghini Miura P400 will also be on offer in the marque's 50th year. This car which is in superb condition, after an engine rebuild completed in February 2013, has just returned from the Lamborghini Anniversary Grande Giro celebrations in Italy, where it was the class winner in the event's concours - against dozens of other cars. It has been in the possession of its current owner for over 25 years and has excellent provenance and history.
Amongst the fine cadre of Vintage and pre-war cars consigned are two world-class Rolls-Royce: a highly original 1923 20HP Barker Barrel body, which must be one of the finest ever offered; and a superb 1929 20/25HP Hooper Landaulet which is offered for sale by its owner for the first time since his purchase of it over 60 years ago! Both of course come complete with original tools.
Other highlights of the auction include; an aerodynamic 1952 Tatra Tatraplan T600; an excellent Australian delivered Allard L-Type; the Project 500 Jet Car built to tackle Donald Campbell's Bluebird Land Speed Record; three Specials including Reg Hunt's legendary 'Flying Bedstead' currently in the National Motor Museum; the huge 14.5 litre 1921 American La France Speedster; a time warp 1965 matching numbers Mini Cooper and a stylish 1963 Bentley Continental "Chinese Eye" Coupe along with a fine selection from Alfa Romeo, Talbot, Austin-Healey, MG, Armstrong Siddeley, Alvis, Mercedes-Benz, Chevrolet, BMW, Fiat, Jaguar, Salmson and Aston Martin in its centenary year.
The sale will start with a fine selection of lots of exceptional motoring memorabilia from the personal collection of Peter Briggs, Australia's most prominent international motor car collector.
To view the full catalogue online go to www.theodorebruceauctions.com.au
Images: Theodore Bruce
