A wee gem at the next Barons ‘Classic Italia Auction’, being held on July 30th to 31st at Barons’ usual venue of Sandown Park in Surrey, is the right-hand drive Abarth 2200 Spider. This is a show car from the 1960 Earls Court Motor Show, where it appeared on the stand of Anthony Crook Motors.
Abarth produced a very limited number of larger coupes and convertibles in the late 1950s, simply as showpieces to demonstrate the company’s abilities. This Spider was among them – one of only three brought into England and the only convertible. Priced in its day at £4,076, it was more expensive than an Aston Martin and very, very much more than a Jaguar XK140.
The car was originally sold to Robert J. Goodfellow, owner of Wessex Motors, registered WOT 1. It acquired its current registration, 115 GOT, in 1963 – when it became the property of well-known horse-breeder, Sir William Piggot Brown. The car was first restored in the 1980s and sold for £47,000 during the boom years. During the current ownership, the Abarth was sympathetically and meticulously re-restored to original specification.
The car is powered by a 2295cc, straight-six Fiat engine, based on the Lampredi-designed block used in the Fiat 1800 unit from 1959. Power is estimated at 135bhp which, in a car weighing a touch over 1000kg, allowed Abarth to advertise it as a 200km/h motor. The low weight was made possible by using aluminium doors, boot and bonnet, and the final result is a handsome Italian touring cabriolet. Barons is hoping to sell the car for between £23,000 and £30,000 on 31st July.
 1992 Maserati Shamal - £16,000 to £18,000 |
 1969 Fiat Dino Coupe - £8,000 to 11,000 |
There’s plenty more to interest buyers in the Classic Italia Auction, including a 1992 Maserati Shamal with an estimate of £16,000 to £18,000, and a 1969 Fiat Dino Coupe once owned by Peter Sellers' son for £8,000 - 11,000.
Entries for the sale are still being accepted, with the catalogue closing on 23rd July.
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Barons (Auctioneers) Ltd
PO Box 243 Hythe S045 6WZ UK Tel: +44 (0)23 8066 8409 Fax: +44(0) 23 8042 8469 Email: [email protected] Website: www.barons-auctions.com |
Text - Charis Whitcombe
Photos - Barons
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