Cars

Reserved for ‘connoisseur customers who will add them to some of the world’s most significant luxury collections’, each of the 50 Zenith Phantoms will boast a high degree of personalisation, along with several features exclusive to the Zenith models. These include a new glass shelf for Champagne served from the rear tailgate, a larger two-bottle fridge, and paint colours that hark back to Rolls-Royce’s past, including Madeira Red. Customers have also been invited to specify the materials and colour palette of the picnic hamper that accompanies all Zenith Collection Phantoms.

It is said that there is no greater thrill (or challenge) in contemporary motorsport than tackling the Monaco Grand Prix circuit in a competition car, and we’re sure the same applies to historic motorsport. Every other May, a number of lucky professional and amateur drivers get to realise the experience during the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, one of the most prestigious events on the historic calendar.

There was a new face on the rostrum at Le Sporting – Sotheby’s European managing director Maarten ten Holder – after RM’s popular auctioneer Max Girardo moved on to pastures new last week. And a commendable job ten Holder did, too.

On Thursday, some 450 entrants will drive their classic cars over the starting ramp in Brescia, and set off on an unforgettable four-day, 1,000-mile journey towards Rome and back, stopping only for much-needed sleep and challenging time regularity trials. The Mille Miglia is quintessentially Italian in its organisation and execution, and all the more charming for it. Red lights are waived, police escorts are employed and enthusiastic crowds line the route, just as they did all those years ago.

1970s Formula 1 cars take centre stage

Pre-flight checks

Headlining the sale is the ex-Ecurie Francorchamps Jaguar C-type (XKC 011) that was revealed by the Bond Street auction house way back in November. Though its history is perhaps not as stellar as originally believed, the C-type is wonderfully original, and has resided in the same family ownership for the last 53 years. It’s estimated to fetch 4-5m euros.