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19/05/2006
Christie's at Greenwich Concours d'Elegance June 4th 2006 - Preview

1964 LANCIA FLAMINIA 3C 2800 SUPER SPORT 'DOUBLE BUBBLE' COUPE COACHWORK BY ZAGATO $55,000 - 75,000
Held at the prestigious Greenwich Concours d'Elegance in Connecticut, Christie’s will sell over 45 classic cars, a sizeable proportion of which coming from the Sergio Franchi Motor Car Collection and comprising mainly pre-war cars. There are also some later thoroughbreds like the 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing with only three owners from new.

Sergio Franchi (1926-1990) was one of the greatest romantic, popular tenors of the 20th century. A handsome and charismatic nightclub, Broadway and opera performer, Franchi was a regular star on the Ed Sullivan Show and sung regularly in Las Vegas and at the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles.

Born in Cremona, Italy and performing by the age of 10, Mr. Franchi made his operatic debut in South Africa and performed in his native Italy and on British television. He was soon discovered by an RCA agent who booked him for his first US tour with sold-out shows from coast to coast. Mr. Franchi became an American citizen in 1972.

Sergio Franchi was also a passionate automobile collector, an active member of the Classic Car Club of America and a frequent participant in the CCCA Caravans. He loved and collected cars for their great beauty, rarity and historical importance.

1930 ISOTTA FRASCHINI 8AS BOATTAIL CONVERTIBLE $600,000 - 800,000

1927 ROLLS-ROYCE SPRINGFIELD PHANTOM I $120,000 - 150,000

Mr. Franchi was also an ardent supporter of the arts and Italian cultural organizations. He was posthumously awarded the title of Cavaliere by the Italian government in 2001.

Highlights of the Sergio Franchi Collection include:

• 1930 Isotta Fraschini 8AS Boattail Convertible, coachwork by Castagna
• 1925 Mercedes 24/100/140, coachwork by Murphy
• 1927 Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom I, coachwork by Brewster
• 1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Touring Limousine, coachwork by Chapron

1953 JAGUAR XK120 ROADSTER $60,000 - 80,000	1956 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL GULLWING $250,000 - 300,000
1957 LANCIA AURELIA B24S CONVERTIBLE $90,000 - 120,000	1948 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY CONVERTIBLE $80,000 - 120,000

The 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, $250,000 - 300,000, is catalogued as “best described as a sympathetic restoration” and is lacking the luggage and belly pans so desirable with these cars but is a perfectly usable, running machine and with some regular service work looks an attractive buy.

Other cars that will appeal to Classic Driver readers include the 1953 Jaguar XK120 Roadster at $60,000 - 80,000, the 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster with hard top, $20,000 - 30,000, and the ex-Hugh Hunter, Donald Campbell, Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club Concours Class-winning 1936 Bentley 4¼ Litre Sports Coupé Coachwork By Vanden Plas at $200,000 - 300,000.

And finally an icon from the streets of the Big Apple, the last Checker Cab to be in active service in New York City, a 1978 Checker Marathon Four Door Sedan 'Taxi Cab' - 'Janie' estimated at $10,000 - 25,000. You looking at me?

The Sale will be held on 4th June 2006, 12:00 pm at the Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, Greenwich, CT, USA.

Christies next Sale of Exceptional Motor Cars will be in London, at their usual Jack Barclay Showroom, Vauxhall, venue on June 26th, with the auction at this year's (biennial) Le Mans Classic in France happening on 8th July.

To view the complete Lotlist, please click HERE.

For 4th June Sale enquiries:

Christopher Sanger
csanger@christies.com
Tel: +1 212 636 2277
Mark Donaldson
mdonaldson@christies.com
Tel: +1 310 385 2698

Christie's International Motor Cars Ltd
The Jack Barclay Showroom
2-4 Ponton Rd
Nine Elms
London SW8 5BA

Tel: + 44(0)20 7389 2851
Fax: + 44(0)20 7627 8917
motorcars@christies.com

Text - Steve Wakefield
Photos - Christie's

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