Of the 25 Motor Car entries at Christie’s next London Sale, nine are Jaguars. Of course dominating proceedings is one very special racing car from the Coventry manufacturer, the ex-Ian Stewart Ecurie Ecosse 1952 C-Type estimated at £1.200.000 - 1.500.000.
Made famous by a 1951 win at Le Mans, the XK120 C - as it was originally called - was designed to be a step up for amateur racers running regular XK120s. Practically speaking it had little in common with its production relation having different, lighter, bodywork, revised suspension and steering and a much more powerful engine. This car was supplied to a driver typical of the period, Scotsman Ian Stewart, and was later re-sprayed Ault and Wiberg Flag Blue Metallic and co-opted into the famous Edinburgh-based Ecurie Ecosse team.
The car enjoyed a brief but successful contemporary competition career before passing into the hands of collectors, enjoying the current family’s (whose pre-war Bentleys were sold by Christie’s to such record-breaking heights at the Le Mans Classic last year) ownership since the early ‘70s. Converted to disc brakes (and D-Type cylinder head) by Lynx at that time, the car is still in very original condition and is of course eligible for all the ‘big’ events such as the Mille Miglia, Goodwood Revival and Le Mans Classic. A lot of money for sure, but with talk of Aston Martin DB3Ss going for much more than this - not to mention equivalent Ferraris - I would say the estimate is spot-on and someone is going to make a wise investment. The 1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25 H.P. Three-position Drophead by Barker and Co, £60.000 - 80.000, is also part of the same Private Collection.
 1958 Alvis TD 21 Drophead Coupe |
 Interior of concours-winning 1961 Jaguar SI 3.8 Roadster |
Another collection supplies the bulk of the rest of the sale’s entries. Over the decades Dr. James Hull has built up one of the foremost collections of the Jaguar marque, and as so often happens some rationalisation was needed so 16 cars are now offered for sale ranging from a 1972 Fiat 500, £2.000 - 3.000, to two E-Type Jaguars, a 1961 SI 3.8 Roadster (Current Jaguar Driver's Champion of Champions) at £60.000 - 90.000, and a 1974 SIII Roadster Commemorative at £65.000 - 80.000. The six-cylinder car is a real 100 point restoration, a regular on the concours circuit and apparently perfect in every cosmetic detail while the black V12 is described as just ‘immaculate’, its price reflecting the fact of it being one of the last 50 RHD E-Types to be made.
There’s also a very nice 1958 Alvis TD 21 Drophead Coupe for £15.000 - 25.000, and a superb old bus, the 1961 Jaguar MK IX at £12.000 - 18.000, while the 1967 Morris Mini Cooper 1275cc S £8.000 - 12.000 looks great in its period Apple Green/White roof colour scheme.
Of the non-collection lots there are two cars that stand out; the 1937 BMW 328 Sports Two Seater at £90.000 - 130.000, and the 1969 Ferrari 365GTC for £45.000 - 60.000. The BMW is a car with a nice patina resulting from its regular recent competition outings and, like the C-Type, is a very ‘usable’ machine with some modern features for the time that make it a agreeable car in which to compete today on races and rallies worldwide. And finally why not buy the LHD 1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow I (£8.000 - 12.000) in which to enter the next ‘Jewel that is Jordan Rally’? It should know its way around; a previous owner was H.R.H. Princess Firyal of Jordan.
 1969 Ferrari 365GTC |
 LHD 1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow I |
Prior to the Motor Car Sale there are several lots of Automobilia and two motorcycles, one of which being a very desirable four-cylinder 1974 MV Agusta 750 Sport America at £12.000 - 18.000.
All lots can be seen in detail, with colour photographs on the Classic Driver Car Database. Please CLICK HERE for full details.
For a full lotlist, please CLICK HERE.
The auction will be held at the familiar Jack Barclay Showroom in London on Saturday 11 June 2005 at 3:00 pm. Viewing is possible on 10 June 10:00 am - 7:00 pm, and 11 June 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.
|
Christie's International Motor Cars Ltd
The Jack Barclay Showroom 2-4 Ponton Rd Nine Elms London SW8 5BA Tel: + 44(0)20 7389 2851 Fax: + 44(0)20 7627 8917 [email protected] |
Text - Steve Wakefield
Photos - Christie's
ClassicInside - The Classic Driver Newsletter
Free Subscription!