1937 Atalanta 4.3-Litre V12 Two-seater Sports Special
Registration no. To be advised
Chassis no. 1004

A short-lived but highly regarded manufacturer, Atalanta Motors of Staines, Middlesex was the brainchild of Alfred Gough (designer of the overhead-camshaft Frazer Nash engine) and undergraduate Peter Whitehead, who provided the financial backing. The marque took its name from the eponymous heroine of Greek mythology, who was notably fleet of foot.

Founded in 1937, the firm specialised in hand built sports cars of advanced design; the exclusive and expensive Atalantas being unique among British cars of their day in featuring all-independent coil-sprung suspension. The tubular steel chassis was a substantial, X-braced affair fitted with hydraulic brakes, while the use of Hiduminium alloy for the suspension links and Elektron magnesium alloy for the huge (16"-diameter) hydraulically operated brake drums helped keep un-sprung weight to a minimum.

Gough four-cylinder engines powered the majority of Atalantas, not that there were many; indeed, it is estimated that no more than 20 cars of all types were built. The Gough engine was available in two capacities: 1.6 (78bhp) and 2.0 litres (98bhp), while in 1938 the company added a Lincoln Zephyr V12-powered 4.3-litre model to the range. Whatever the engine, the Atlanta's performance was excellent, thanks in no small part to its lightweight construction, and many of the cars enjoyed successful competition careers. Most were bodied by Atalanta's neighbours, E D Abbott of Farnham. Sadly, the outbreak of WW2 curtained development of these exciting designs, and the Atalanta marque was not revived after the war's end. Survivors are exceedingly rare.

First registered 'GMX 822', then 'AXK 800' and now 'GMX 822' again, chassis number '1004', originally a blue coupé with crossways rear seat, was built for Captain N G Watson of Atalanta Motors, one of the company's directors. As the chassis number suggests, it was the fourth Atalanta built. In 1938 Watson managed to acquire an original but bored-out-to 3 litres ex-Lord Howe Talbot 105 team car engine (from 'GO 54') and fitted it in the Atalanta. In 1942 the car was purchased by M E Nixon. John Bland was the next owner, followed by a Mr MacQuaker, who made the body it has now and fitted another Talbot 105 engine and gearbox (from 'AXK 800'). Subsequent owners are as follows: John Winther, Nigel Sims, Derick Brooks, Dudley Mason-Styron, Peter Gregory, Martyn Corfield, Alister Barry Ward, and finally Marion Jane Ward.

Offered for restoration, the car comes with a rebuilt Lincoln V12 engine, not installed or run, plus a substantial quantity of rare spares, new wheels and tyres, Atalanta book, etc. There are no registration documents with this Lot, which nevertheless represents a potentially most rewarding prospect for the dedicated enthusiast.