In addition to the 1933 Bugatti Type 59 GP entered for the 'Festival Sale, Bonhams have announced they will be selling over 20 cars from the Arthur Carter Collection of predominantly British vehicles, that also includes a 1964 Lamborghini 350/400GT estimated at £60,000 - 70,000.The company was officially unveiled last week as a new sponsor of Silverstone's revived classic motorsport event in July, to be titled 'The Silverstone Classic, in association with Bonhams'.

Over the past 50 years Arthur Carter has built up one of the finest collections of cars in the country - to include a selection of Austin-Healeys that must rank among the finest in the world. Well-known, but rarely seen, many of these cars have been bought, restored and maintained away from the public eye. A very private collector with discerning taste, Arthur Carter has amassed a collection with a strong bias towards British cars, in particular those marques which had a competition pedigree and/or which became component companies within the British Motor Corporation.

Bonhams’ Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale on 24 June will include entries from this collection that include the 1964 ex-works Liege-winning Austin-Healey 3000 Mk II, estimate £100,000 - 140,000, the 1968 London-Sydney Austin 1800 ‘Land Crab’ estimate £14,000 - 20,000, the ex-works 1964 Timo Makkinen/Paddy Hopkirk rally winning 1964 BMC Mini reg. DJB 92B, estimate £40,000 - 60,000, the 1963 Ex-Alex Poole/Roger Enever prototype MGB Competition, estimate £8,000 - 12,000, and a 1950 Connaught A-Type Formula 2 Grand Prix Single-Seater, estimate £70,000 - 100,000.

The 1964 Lamborghini 350/400GT, though neither British nor a competition car, has still found a place in the Arthur Carter Collection and it is not difficult to see why. With avant garde styling, this beautiful Italian thoroughbred was originally purchased by Mr Charles Grant, a Lamborghini fanatic, who drove it back to the factory in 1966 for the new and more powerful 4-litre engine to be installed. Extensive correspondence between Lamborghini and Grant highlights a level of customer service little seen today – Grant arranged to stay in Italy during this upgrade and asked the factory to recommend a suitable hotel. After a five-night stay, he collected his rather faster car and drove back to England. Estimate £60,000 - 70,000.



The Silverstone Classic - New title, revived event with classic racing from the 1930’s to 1980’s - 30/31 July 2005

Six decades of Grand Prix motor racing will form the centrepiece of the new-look annual historic festival, taking place at Silverstone - The Home of British Motor Racing - on 30/31 July. For the first time, the cars that made Formula 1 history (from 1930 through to 1985) will compete in a single event, supported by a superb line-up that boasts some of the best historic and classic racing series in Europe.

An unbeatable array of sports, GT and saloon cars will also add to an unforgettable weekend of racing. The Silverstone Classic is not just about Grand Prix racing cars. The 1980s was a golden era for international sportscars and racing from that period will be recreated by two races from the Group C/GTP Series. The cars that competed at Le Mans and raced in the World Sportscar Championship are still racing regularly, and a grid of 30 cars is expected at Silverstone. Like their single-seater counterparts, these cars have wonderful histories and most will be presented in period livery - Silk Cut Jaguars and Rothmans Porsches will rekindle memories of Le Mans in the 1980s.

The World Sportscar Masters Series will represent GT cars of the late 1960s, with Lola T70s, including the recently restored ex-Sid Taylor Racing car of Frank Sytner, and hordes of Chevrons making up the core of the grid. Both B8 and B16 models will be in action as Chevron celebrates its 40th anniversary.

International sportscars of the 1950s will also turn back the clock in the BRDC Historic Sports Car Championship. Lister Jaguars, Lotus 15s, Cooper Monacos and Lotus 11s are all regular racers from a time when the driver could be clearly seen working at his craft in the cockpit! The early ‘50s are represented by a race for the HGPCA drum-brake sportscar series, featuring cars that took to the track before disc brakes revolutionised the sport.

Fabulously close racing is assured in races for the Historic Formula Junior and HSCC Historic Formula Ford 1600 categories, while a race for Pre '66 Historic Touring Cars will pit big American V8s against Lotus Cortinas, Ford Anglias, Minis and Alfa Romeos.

Finally, two top class hour-long races will complete a stunning weekend of race action. The BRDC 500 features pre-war sportscars including Bentleys, MGs, Aston Martins and Alfa Romeos, while the Gentlemen Drivers Series for pre '66 GT cars will have an over-flowing field for a 60-minute two-driver contest.

The festival atmosphere will continue away from the track with entertainment provided throughout the weekend for all the family. A period fun-fair, memorabilia and automobilia stalls, music, an art gallery, classic car club displays, the famed Silverstone Retro Run, the Scarf & Goggles food and drinks area, vintage aircraft and classic motorcycle displays will all add to a truly memorable experience.

Tickets are available from just £10 per adult (if booked in advance) with children (aged 15 and under) and parking FREE. The new-look Silverstone Classic, in association with Bonhams, is set to re-establish the festival that was loved and enjoyed by thousands of motor racing fans throughout the 1990’s at Silverstone’s world famous historic Grand Prix circuit.

To book tickets, or for further information visit www.silverstone-circuit.co.uk

Bonhams Motor Cars Dept. 101 New Bond Street London W1S 1SR UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7313 3176 Fax: +44 (0)20 7313 3170

Text/Photos - Bonhams