Editorial

Edwin "Ted" C. Jameson Jr. Not a name that immediately trips off the tongue, however reading the forward to Bonhams' catalogue of their May 3rd Auction at Brookline of just some of the late man's mechanical effects, one cannot help thinking "they don't make 'em like that any more". The sort of man who built his own propeller-driven three-wheeled 'Wind Wagon', in order to circumvent a (totally unreasonable) family ban on aeroplane ownership at the age of 16, is surely a one-off; and one that today's age of responsible behaviour and the re-distribution of worldwide wealth may never see again.

Amazingly he was still involved in the many restoration projects at the time of his death, aged 89. That's why so many unfinished chassis are included in the sale. Spending much of his life in the world's best hotels, he would think nothing of driving his 1924 Bentley from the Cote d'Azur to Germany, apparently sustaining the inner self on a couple of bananas, driving through the night to be welcomed at whatever Grand Hotel he might head for, safe in the knowledge of a full supper being quickly prepared for such a well-known client.

The catalogue for the sale is a fascinating document and it, like the sale itself, forms part of a remarkable tribute to a remarkable man.


Steve Wakefield
Managing Editor

This week in Classic Driver

NEWS

Breitling announces a new chronograph exclusive to Bentley Motors

Performance chronograph maker Breitling has, for the first time, made a watch exclusively for the British luxury car manufacturer. Both names consider themselves to be peerless in terms of prestige, tradition and innovation, and feel the co-operation is a natural one...

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EVENTS

2003 Tour de France Auto - Photo Review

The 'Classic Driver France' team of Olivier Penat and Francois Bouet covered the 3000kms Tour Auto 2003 in a Smart Crossblade. This photo report gives a day-by-day diary of events on and off the track, as well as the final classification...

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AUCTIONS

7th May 2003 - Auction Preview - H&H at Olympia 2, London

For Cheshire-based auction house H&H, whose usual location is Buxton, near Derby, their first London sale will be an important one. To this end they have assembled a lot list of over 90 cars, with very much something for everyone. Most expensive lots are an ex-Peter Revson Brabham BT8, a 1999 Bentley Continental Sedanca SC and a 1956 Mercedes-Benz Gullwing Coupe. But the whole gamut of the classic scene is represented from these cars down to MGs via Aston Martins and two Lagonda Rapide saloons...

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28th April 2003 - Auction Preview - Bonhams at Hendon, RAF Museum

One of the earliest examples of the American, ‘Springfield’, Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts is a feature lot at Bonhams' April sale at the RAF Museum at Hendon, North London. Supplied in 1926 the car was, with its 6-cylinder 7.4 litre engine, also one of the very first to feature not only left-hand drive, but a central gear lever replacing the column mounted change. In addition Bonhams have attracted the entry of an 1899 Benz 3 1/2hp Velo, which, if previous sales of Veteran Car Club eligible models are anything to go by, should comfortably surpass the estimate of £50,000 – 60,000...

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3rd May 2003 - Auction Preview - Bonhams at Brookline, Massachusetts USA

BMW’s V8 – engined, seminal sportscar of the 1950s, the 507 Roadster, is likely to achieve the highest price at Bonhams & Butterfields’ sale at Brookline, Massachusetts on May 3rd. The sale, which follows on from Part 1 of the Jameson Collection, (covered elsewhere on Classic Driver), also has a reproduction 1960’s style bodywork Ferrari Testarossa (estimate $175,000 – 200,000) and a 1967 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 Coupe...

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3rd May 2003 - Auction Preview - Bonhams "Jameson Collection" Part 1 Brookline USA

A quite extraordinary collection of automobilia, motor-cycles, motor cars, steam engines and fire appliances, all owned by one of the 20th century’s’ foremost collectors, Edwin “Ted” C. Jameson Jr. is to be auctioned by Bonhams & Butterfields as part of their Brookline, Massachusetts Sale on May 3rd. Picking a star lot is completely impossible for once as every part of this collection is totally unique and delightful...

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26th April 2003 - Auction Preview - Coys at London Business Design Centre

A red Porsche 959 once belonging to the British golfer Nick Faldo, as well as a ‘Barn find’ 1927 Bentley 3-litre Short Chassis Speed Model and a 1970 Lamborghini Miura S feature in Coys sale at their familiar Islington location; The Business Design Centre in Upper St, this time on a Saturday rather than the usual Monday evening...

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PREMIUM OFFERS

Lagonda Rapide 1961-1964

For Sale by Auction at Olympia 7th May 2003

Lot number 66

Tractor and gear manufacturing tycoon David Brown, who had recently acquired Aston Martin, also bought Lagonda in 1947 for £52,000. Having then formed Aston Martin Lagonda, he closed down Lagonda's Staines factory and combined Lagonda with Aston production at Feltham, Middlesex, although both marques moved again to Newport Pagnell in 1958.

The 1961-introduced Lagonda Rapide employed elegant Superleggera Touring-styled bodywork in aluminium on a lengthened chassis, DB4 engine enlarged to 3995cc (later in the DB5), dual-circuit disc brakes all round and De Dion rear axle. Only 55 Rapides were handbuilt before production was halted in 1964.

The beautiful example being auctioned here was originally registered in the UK with the 4878 VC registration it carries today, happily reinstated when re-imported to the UK from the US in 1989. In the intermediate years, it had been in the ownership of the Sultan of Selangor and resided in Malaya, the Malaysian log book from that time being on file. Later, it changed hands in a top car auction Stateside.

The current London owner tells us that the 4-door saloon coachwork was last restored in 1999 to concours standard in original-spec Ming Blue with cream leather, this paintwork and interior said still to be in good condition. Whilst both 4-litres six and 3-speed automatic transmission are also both reportedly in good order. Here is a great car with some nice Far Eastern VIP history and in right-hand drive too.

colour Blue
interior colour Cream
drive RHD
type Saloon
Chassis No. LR/107/R
Engine No. 400/107
year 1962
Price estimate 16.000 - 18.000 GBP
country United Kingdom

Dealership:



H&H Classic Auctions Sale at London Olympia 7th May 2003

Phone: +44 (0) 1925 730630

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Porsche 911 Turbo

6 speed, leather, navigation system, phone, Xenon lights, full history, One owner car with a big specification including navigation and phone. LHD.

colour Dark Blue Metallic
interior colour Black and Grey Leather
drive LHD
type Coupe
year 2000
mileage 16.000 km / 9.942 m
price 59.000 GBP
country United Kingdom

Dealership:



Joe Macari Performance Cars

Phone: +44 (0) 20 8870 9007

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