RE: The weird and the wonderful: Under The Hammer

RE: The weird and the wonderful: Under The Hammer

Thursday 28th August 2014

The weird and the wonderful: Under The Hammer

Forget the glitz of Pebble Beach, there's rarity and diversity at an auction much closer to home



Two weeks ago I was reporting on some of the most sublime machinery on the planet going under the hammer at Pebble Beach. While that heady smorgasbord of Ferraris and McLarens may not have reached their stratospherically high estimates, pretty much every gavel-bash set a new record.

Comes to something when this is the prettier car
Comes to something when this is the prettier car
So much for the sublime. Now it's time for the ridiculous to step into the spotlight, and there's a kooky carnival of that at the Historics at Brooklands auction www.historics.co.uk this Saturday at Brooklands Museum in Surrey.

Zagato's monsters
Topping my barking-mad bill are two Zagatos from the Italian design house's 'interesting' period - the early 90s. The Italians nicknamed Zagato's Alfa Romeo SZ coupe 'il mostro' - 'the monster' - but the convertible RZ is its even uglier sister. This one-owner, 12,000km RZ is an eye-popping sight, especially in that bright yellow.

But Zagato went even uglier. Values of Aston Martin Zagatos have well and truly headed skywards, but how about a bargain lookalike from 1990: the Nissan Autech Stelvio. Never heard of it? Don't blame you - it was only ever sold in Japan in tiny numbers.

Re-engined G55 could turn out to be a bargain
Re-engined G55 could turn out to be a bargain
You'll probably look right past the subtle double-bubble roof as your eyeballs are assaulted by two rhinoceros-like appendages sprouting from front wings - yes, the entire front end was apparently designed around its wing mirrors. Get past the looks and Stelvio has class: unlike the plastic-unfantastic bodywork of the RZ, its body is hand-made in aluminium, and literally everything in the cabin is swathed in leather or suede, like some vintage Italian handbag.

Underneath lies a Nissan Leopard F31 platform (same as the Skyline R31) with a tuned 300ZX twin-turbo 3.0-litre lump pumping out 290hp. I've actually driven this car, and I can report it's lovely to pilot: refined, comfortable and with handling so chuckable that it wouldn't be embarrassed going up the Passo Stelvio.

A recreation, yes, but a sympathetic one
A recreation, yes, but a sympathetic one
Both Zagatos are incredibly rare. The Stelvio is number 74 of 104 made, the RZ 145 of 284. Estimates of £17,000-£22,000 (Stelvio) and £28,000-£32,000 (Alfa RZ) don't look outrageous, and SZ/RZ values have remained static for years, so are surely long overdue for a spike.

Bonkers in blue
One of the most bonkers Mercs of recent years is the G-Class AMG. If you don't mind LHD, this 2008G55 AMG with 6,749 miles on the clock looks, er, interesting in its mildly dubious bright blue wrap. It's had a brand new engine fitted recently, and has no reserve, so you might grab a bargain here.

Or how about this yellow BMW 2002 tii Alpina recreation with a smattering of genuine Alpina bits (decals, period arches, splitter, boot spoiler, alloys, rocker cover and oil cap). Tiis are fast appreciating, so £16,000-£22,000 doesn't sound too rich for this.

Modernised Bedford camper is pure class
Modernised Bedford camper is pure class
Boats, buses and... fire limos?
Fancy being Batman, circa 1966? How about a Glastron Bat Boat tribute - yours for an estimated £36,000-£42,000. A 1989 DennisCampbell fire engine has actually been registered as a limousine and can be driven on a car licence - so it could make the world's strangest party hire vehicle for £3,000-£5,000.

I love the 1950 Bedford OB bus that's been done up as a spectacular luxury motorhome. Forget 1950s austerity - this beast has a 2006 Iveco chassis and diesel engine under the skin, plus a leather-swathed interior, walnut kitchen, en-suite facilities, retractable roof, Bose audio and even central heating. The perfect classic racer's motorhome?

Mangusta is a rare and alluring bit of exotica
Mangusta is a rare and alluring bit of exotica
OK, let taste back in
It'd be wrong to suggest this auction is only full of the bizarre. There are some very tasty specimens up for grabs, too. The star of the show may be a two-owner-from-new 1969 De Tomaso Mangusta. A real classic of Giugiaro penmanship - but evil-handling in a way that only Lancia Stratos owners can understand - it's ultra-rare, which is reflected in a steep estimate of £210,000-£240,000.

But my pick of the auction is a cracking 1981 Porsche 930 Turbo, which at £40,000-£48,000 looks superb value alongside £100k+ early 70s 911s, and is a sure-fire ticket to appreciate.



   

 

Author
Discussion

V8 FOU

Original Poster:

2,970 posts

146 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
Really want that Bedford Motorhome.... And the 2002 and... and....

365daytonafan

283 posts

184 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
More wonderful than weird I reckon the Jensen FF is my pick from the catalogue

http://historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2014-08-30/...

AndyNetwork

1,831 posts

193 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
Saw a similar DeTomaso racing at Oulton Park over the weekend. Made a fantastic V8 rumble.

geezerbutler

523 posts

141 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
The Mangusta is one of the greatest shapes ever. Still remember the Matchbox model I had as a kid.

The Alfa SZ is also a favourite of mine - never really liked the RZ though.

Eviltad

1,320 posts

178 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
Oh Wow, so many interesting toys in that auction. Loving that Bedford bus conversion.

mrclav

1,281 posts

222 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
G55 - Mmmmmm....

TROOPER88

1,767 posts

178 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
The MK1 Golf is the one I have just restored. The complete restoration can be seen here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I have been a few times, I will be there on Saturday, it is a good day out!

dlockhart

434 posts

171 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
"This is an ideal vehicle to take to the many retro events which are happening around the UK or popping down the pub on a Sunday."

Ferret Scout var

oh my what kind of pubs does he goto? more like ideal car to goto the pub in if your expecting trouble

Mark Wibble

211 posts

223 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
Nissan geek moment regarding the Zagato Autech:
"Underneath lies a Nissan Leopard F31 platform (same as the Skyline R31) with a tuned 300ZX twin-turbo 3.0-litre lump"... single turbo, not twin :-)

alpha channel

1,386 posts

161 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
Have to say I rather like the look of the Jag XK150SE Drophead Coupe, beautiful.

Alfa159Ti

827 posts

156 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
What a strange coincidence.

I found that bizarre Nissan thing on eBay the other month and emailed it to a client who owns an Alfa SZ as it looked like a brother from another mother!

The SZ I think has a certain appeal in the flesh.

The Nissan however...who could possibly have finished designing that, stood back to drink in their creation and thought 'yes - totally nailed it!'?!

soad

32,829 posts

175 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all


Mirrors set into the sides of the bonnet...what were he/they smoking to come up with that?! hehe

The Don of Croy

5,976 posts

158 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
The BMW 325i (E30) saloon looks nice - sensible winter car maybe if it goes for less than £5k.

Or that M plate C36 - less sensible but still 'do-able'.

Unlike the AMG G-wagen that has had an engine transplant at <7000 miles. Shame.

crostonian

2,427 posts

171 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
The Autech Stelvio seems to resemble a messed around with Lancia Beta Coupe;


and for me the RZ loses one of the prettiest aspects of the SZ, namely the roof, and in yellow just looks like;

myhandle

1,182 posts

173 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
quotequote all
soad said:


Mirrors set into the sides of the bonnet...what were he/they smoking to come up with that?! hehe
One of these was at Brooklands Auto Italia a couple of years back. Looks very Zagato. The NACA ducts inside the alloys are something I have not seen elsewhere.

soad

32,829 posts

175 months

Friday 29th August 2014
quotequote all
myhandle said:
One of these was at Brooklands Auto Italia a couple of years back. Looks very Zagato. The NACA ducts inside the alloys are something I have not seen elsewhere.
Produced by Autech and designed by Zagato.

Alex L

2,575 posts

253 months

Friday 29th August 2014
quotequote all
One in the wild on the North Circ that I spotted a couple of years ago


soad

32,829 posts

175 months

Friday 29th August 2014
quotequote all
Alex L said:
One in the wild on the North Circ that I spotted a couple of years ago

Good spot! biggrin Doubt I'll ever see one.

skyrover

12,668 posts

203 months

Friday 29th August 2014
quotequote all
I find this sort of thing far more interesting than an endless parade of Ferrari's IMO

Zippee

13,442 posts

233 months

Friday 29th August 2014
quotequote all
V8 FOU said:
Really want that Bedford Motorhome.... And the 2002 and... and....
That was on display at this years Silverstone classic and in the flesh it is awesome. The brown and yellow paint is actually pearl and in the sunlight looks amazing, the quality of the interior is top notch as well smile