The 1st of December is a Tuesday and it is the day COYS hold their 'True Greats' auction of 'Fine Historic Motor Cars' at the Royal Horticultural Halls in Westminster, London. After dreaming of buying the 1932 Bentley 4 litre saloon for every day transport, we felt a little smug when we read that Captain Woolf Barnato used one as his personal transport. Later in the description we learn that an owner in the 1960s drove this car single-handed from Land's End to John O'Groats in under 24 hours. The subsequent 12 year restoration effectively means this car is as good as new!
Add another half litre, a supercharger out the front and open sporting coachwork and you have an altogether different beast. Affectionately known as 'The Blower Bentley', this 1928 example is described as a 'Birkin Blower' reproduction and the catalogue carefully describes its history. The 1937 Delahaye 135 Le Mans has also been re-bodied with an authentic copy of the original and has since enjoyed much competition use. The car is said to run beautifully and the original Cotal gearbox is included in the lot. The bright red 1925 Bugatti Type 30 was once used to carry rocks in its early life, but after 30 years in a shed, it now carries its original body, engine, gearbox and rear axle and is described as 'fully operational'.
Last, but not least, please take time to gaze at the 1938 Lancia Aprilia Cabriolet with rare Worblaufen coachwork - perhaps unique in that respect. Vincenzo Lancia did not live to see his final creation enter production - the Aprilia was launched in 1937, two months after his death, and set new standards in production car design. A car which breaks away from tradtion with all-round independent suspension, hydraulic brakes, unitary construction bodyshell and overhead-camshaft narrow-angle V4 engine. Take your time as you stroll up to the door, settle into the driver's seat, grasp the wheel, start the engine - and tell us you are not tempted.
(Text Robin Batchelor, pictures courtesy COYS)