‘2 VEV’ – The Most Valuable British Car Ever Offered at Auction in Europe Comes to Bonhams


Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato s/n 0183/R

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato s/n 0183/R

 

London, 8th Febraury, 2018

The Essex Racing Stable team 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato ‘2 VEV’ is the most celebrated of all of the Newport Pagnell marque’s early 1960s Grand Touring cars, and arguably the most important of all of Carrozzeria Zagato’s creations. This truly charismatic competition car is to be offered - absolutely fresh from 47 years in single- family ownership - at Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale on 13 July.

‘2 VEV’ is the most important DB4GT Zagato in history for several reasons. It is one of only two of the legendary ‘VEV’ quasi-works cars, and one of only three configured in the ultra-light DP209 specification. If that were not enough, it was also driven, in period, by the legendary racing superstar Jimmy Clark and comes from long-term, single-family ownership of nearly 50 years. These are attributes that none of the other 18 DB4GT Zagatos can boast.

A truly great car is judged by the company it keeps, and ‘2 VEV’ raced internationally throughout 1961-62 against rival Ferrari 250 GT SWB and Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinettas, vehicles which now count amongst the most valuable cars in the world. ‘2 VEV’ was campaigned by owner John Ogier’s Essex Racing Stable team as a quasi- works Aston Martin entry against some of the most notable grids ever assembled in GT World Championship history. Driven by the revered Jim Clark, two-time Formula 1 World Champion Driver and winner of the world’s richest single race - the American Indianapolis 500-Miles - this is a ‘DP209’ lightweight version of the already rare Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato model - of which only 19 were made.

Jim Clark most notably drove ‘2 VEV’ for John Ogier and Aston Martin to confront the Ferraris in the RAC Tourist Trophy race at Goodwood in both 1961 and 1962. He brought the car home fourth behind contemporary team leader Roy Salvadori’s sister car ‘1 VEV’ in the 1961 race, but in 1962 he became involved in a multi-car accident. Just after re-joining the race following a pit stop, the future World Champion spun at Madgwick Corner in the path of race leader John Surtees’s Ferrari 250 GTO. The two cars collided and crashed into the safety bank, only to be joined a few laps later by Robin Benson’s Ferrari 250 GT SWB which careered into both of them. The scene, involving three of the most valuable 1960s motor cars in today’s market, has become one of the most celebrated and extraordinary images.

By that time, the DB4GT Zagato had already been reconfigured by Aston Martin into the factory’s latest ‘DP209’ ultimate-lightweight specification following a crash while being driven by Belgian Lucien Bianchi at Spa-Francorchamps earlier in 1962. In 1961, it had competed in the Le Mans 24-Hour race and the Paris 1,000 Kilometres in which it finished 6th, driven by Jim Clark/Innes Ireland. In 1962, the car was  repaired after the TT incident to reappear at Montlhéry, this time co-driven by Jim Clark (yet again) and Sir John Whitmore.

The car later achieved tremendous success in historic racing throughout the 1980s-90s campaigned by Roger St John Hart and then, for the family, by prominent Aston Martin Owners’ Club personality Nick Cussons. It has now been in one caring stewardship for nearly 50 years. Its racing career has taken a gentler pace since a full Aston Martin factory restoration in the mid- 90s, but it remains ready for track action.

This is an opportunity to own one of the most charismatic, historically important and rarest of all great British racing GT cars, ex-Le Mans, ex-Goodwood TT, ex-Jimmy Clark and a truly great product of this most charismatic British marque, combining the best of British engineering with Italian styling flair.

James Knight, Group Motoring Chairman, commented: ‘Bonhams is absolutely delighted to be bringing this landmark vehicle to auction, which continues our history of offering the world’s most important and celebrated sports and collectors’ motor cars to market. It is, by some distance, the most valuable British motor car ever to be offered at a European auction, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for this historically significant vehicle.’


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Lot

Description

Chassis #

Estimate

Result

301

1977 Porsche 911S Coupé

9117201496

£20,000 - 30,000
€23,000 - 34,000
(NR)

 

302

2018 Mini Cooper 'S' 3-Door Hatch

TM82290

£20,000 - 30,000
€23,000 - 34,000

 

303

1969 Triumph TR6 Roadster

CP269460

£14,000 - 18,000
€16,000 - 21,000

 

304

1981 DeLorean DMC12 Coupé

SCEDT26T4BD
006424

£25,000 - 30,000
€29,000 - 34,000
(NR)

 

305

1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Spider

AR 383111

£48,000 - 55,000
€55,000 - 63,000

 

306

1920 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Alpine Eagle Tourer

10CW

£150,000 - 180,000
€170,000 - 210,000
(NR)

 

307

1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS

5864

£250,000 - 300,000
€290,000 - 340,000

 

308

1928 Bugatti Type 44 Tourer 

44721
Engine no. 435

£320,000 - 400,000
€370,000 - 460,000
(NR)

 

309

1962 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Coupé

354261

£30,000 - 40,000
€34,000 - 46,000

 

310

1985 Land Rover 90 V8 4x4 Utility

SALLDVAV7AA
241787

£3,500 - 5,000
€4,000 - 5,700
(NR)

 

311

1972 Range Rover 4x4 Estate

355-05144A

£26,000 - 34,000
€30,000 - 39,000
(NR)

 

312

1964 Aston Martin  DB5 4.3-Litre Sports Saloon

DB5/1758/R

£440,000 - 520,000
€500,000 - 600,000

 

314

1967 Aston Martin  DB6 4.5-Litre Sports Saloon

DB6/3044/R

£180,000 - 240,000
€210,000 - 270,000

 

315

1967 Sunbeam Alpine Series V Roadster

395015513GT
0DHRC

£7,000 - 10,000
€8,000 - 11,000
(NR)

 

316

1972 TVR Vixen S3 Coupé

19424

£10,000 - 15,000
€11,000 - 17,000
(NR)

 

317

1964 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 'Series 1' Coupé

5839GT

£140,000 - 180,000
€160,000 - 210,000

 

318

2017 Aston Martin Vanquish S Coupé

SCFLLCKZ3HGJ
03547

£110,000 - 140,000
€130,000 - 160,000

 

319

1972 Porsche 911S 2.4-Litre Coupé

9112300415

£100,000 - 140,000
€110,000 - 160,000

 

320

1963 Land Rover  80" Series I 4x4 Utility

26104193

£10,000 - 15,000
€11,000 - 17,000
(NR)

 

321

2015 Land Rover Defender 110 XS Double Cab 4x4 Pickup

SALLDHSP7FA
474839

£18,000 - 24,000
€21,000 - 27,000
(NR)

 

322

2018 Rolls-Royce Dawn Convertible

SCA666D08HU
101370

£190,000 - 230,000
€220,000 - 260,000

 

323

Brian James  A4 Car Transporter Trailer

SJB1256GBPGD
011322

£2,000 - 2,100
€2,300 - 2,400
(NR)

 

324

Aston Martin 4-Litre Engine

 

£3,000 - 4,000
€3,400 - 4,600
(NR)

 

325

1935 Brough Superior 4.2-Litre 'Dual Purpose' Drophead Coupé

44601/CWC/1

£100,000 - 150,000
€110,000 - 170,000

 

326

1938 Brough Superior 4½-Litre V12 Sports Saloon

500/1

£15,000 - 25,000
€17,000 - 29,000

 

327

1937 Brough Superior 3½-Litre Saloon

42137

£25,000 - 35,000
€29,000 - 40,000

 

328

1951 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon

BC11A

£750,000 - 950,000
€860,000 - 1,100,000

 

329

1953 Mercedes-Benz  300 Cabriolet

R 186014-3501890

£220,000 - 280,000
€250,000 - 320,000

 

330

1957 BMW 507 Roadster with Hardtop

70067

£2,000,000 - 2,500,000
€2,300,000 - 2,900,000

 

331

1965 Ford Lotus Cortina MkI Competition Saloon

BA85E 424567S

£200,000 - 250,000
€230,000 - 290,000

 

332

1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 'Flat Floor' 3.8-Litre Roadster

850064

£380,000 - 440,000
€440,000 - 500,000

 

333

1996 Porsche 911 Type 993 Turbo Coupé

WP0ZZZ99ZTS
371925

£90,000 - 110,000
€100,000 - 130,000

 

334

1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT  Project

05328

£100,000 - 130,000
€110,000 - 150,000

 

335

1961 Aston Martin 'MP209' DB4GT Zagato

DB4GT/0183/R

EUR

 

336

1984 March 84G-Chevrole Group C/GTP Sports Prototype

84G-05

£180,000 - 230,000
€210,000 - 260,000

 

337

1967 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage Volante

DBVC/3618/R

£450,000 - 550,000
€520,000 - 630,000

 

338

1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 'Daytona'

13333

£580,000 - 640,000
€660,000 - 730,000

 

339

1936 AC 16/70hp March Special Sports Tourer

L370

£90,000 - 120,000
€100,000 - 140,000

 

340

1929 Bentley Speed Six 'Le Mans Replica' Tourer

SB2751

£800,000 - 1,000,000
€920,000 - 1,100,000

 

341

1968 Jensen FF MkI Coupé

119/022

£80,000 - 120,000
€92,000 - 140,000

 

342

1960 Ferrari 250 GT Coupé

1567GT

£550,000 - 650,000
€630,000 - 740,000

 

343

1968 Chevron B8 Coupé

DBE 52

£250,000 - 300,000
€290,000 - 340,000

 

344

1955 Austin-Healey 100S Sports Racing Two-Seater

AHS 3608

£580,000 - 640,000
€660,000 - 730,000

 

345

1961 Jaguar E-Type Series I 'Flat Floor' 3.8-Litre Roadster

850227

£160,000 - 200,000
€180,000 - 230,000

 

346

2012 McLaren MP4-12C Coupé

SBM11AAB6CW
000830

£100,000 - 150,000
€110,000 - 170,000

 

347

2014 McLaren P1 Coupé

SBM12ABB9EW
000061

£1,300,000 - 1,700,000
€1,500,000 - 1,900,000

 

348

2012 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport Coupé

VF9SG252X4M
795031

£1,700,000 - 1,800,000
€1,900,000 - 2,100,000

 

349

2011 Aston Martin One-77 Q-Series Coupé

SCFGFXXX9BGS
17728

£1,650,000 - 1,800,000
€1,900,000 - 2,100,000

 

350

1928 Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport

40796

£300,000 - 350,000
€340,000 - 400,000

 

351

1967 Ford Lotus Cortina MkII Competition Saloon

BA91GD12811

£100,000 - 150,000
€110,000 - 170,000

 

352

1932-34 Alfa Romeo Tipo B Grand Prix Monoposto

50007

£4,500,000 - 5,000,000
€5,200,000 - 5,700,000

 

353

1926 Bentley 3-Litre Speed Model Sports Tourer

DE1220

£380,000 - 420,000
€440,000 - 480,000

 

354

1954 AC  Ace Roadster

AEO1

£380,000 - 480,000
€440,000 - 550,000

 

355

1954 Lancia Appia Saloon

5894

£70,000 - 80,000
€80,000 - 92,000

 

356

2007 Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS Coupé Prototype

AMLVANTAGEV
12RS01

£400,000 - 500,000
€460,000 - 570,000

 

357

1960 Aston Martin DB4 GT

370/0110/GT

£2,300,000 - 2,500,000
€2,600,000 - 2,900,000

 

358

1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage 'X-Pack' Sports Saloon

12691

£340,000 - 370,000
€390,000 - 420,000

 

359

1931 Bentley 4½-Litre Supercharged Tourer

SM 3925

£2,000,000 - 2,500,000
€2,300,000 - 2,900,000

 

360

1985 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole Targa Coupé

55059

£75,000 - 90,000
€86,000 - 100,000

 

361

1951 Jaguar XK120 3.8-Litre Roadster

660587

£75,000 - 85,000
€86,000 - 97,000

 

362

1964 Mercedes-Benz  300SE 'Fintail' Competition Saloon

112.014.22.
005805

£38,000 - 44,000
€44,000 - 50,000

 

363

1959 Morgan Plus 4 2.1-Litre Competition Roadster

4302

£55,000 - 65,000
€63,000 - 74,000

 

364

1956 Jaguar XK140 Coupé

804598

£50,000 - 70,000
€57,000 - 80,000

 

365

1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GT Coupé

6248

£190,000 - 240,000
€220,000 - 270,000

 

366

1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 Sport Tourer

211459

£180,000 - 240,000
€210,000 - 270,000

 

366A

c. 1930  Alfa Romeo  6C 1750 Engine

 

£30,000 - 50,000
€34,000 - 57,000

 

366B

c. 1930  Alfa Romeo  6C 1750 Gearbox

 

£15,000 - 20,000
€17,000 - 23,000

 

367

1936 Marendaz  Special 13/70hp Sports Tourer

807

£70,000 - 80,000
€80,000 - 92,000

 

368

2003 Ferrari 575 Maranello F1

132365

£70,000 - 80,000
€80,000 - 92,000

 

369

1928 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer

NT3137

£250,000 - 280,000
€290,000 - 320,000

 

370

1965  Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon

DB5/1885/R

£1,200,000 - 1,600,000
€1,400,000 - 1,800,000

 

371

2009 Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 Super Veloce Coupé

ZHWBE81H8ALA
03817

£330,000 - 380,000
€380,000 - 440,000

 

372

1981 Ferrari 208 GTB

F106CB33911

£45,000 - 50,000
€52,000 - 57,000

 

373

1965 Ford Lotus Cortina Competition

BA74EG59563

£30,000 - 40,000
€34,000 - 46,000

 

374

1991 Ferrari Testarossa Coupé

77224

£80,000 - 100,000
€92,000 - 110,000

 

375

2007 Porsche 911/997 Turbo S Cabriolet

WP0ZZZ99Z8S
786554

£60,000 - 70,000
€69,000 - 80,000

 

376

2005 Porsche 911 Type 996 Turbo S Coupé

 

£60,000 - 70,000
€69,000 - 80,000

 

377

1970 Jaguar E-Type Series 2 Roadster

1R1607

£100,000 - 120,000
€110,000 - 140,000

 

378

2016 Pagani Huayra Coupé

ZA9H11EAYYSF
76109

£1,300,000 - 1,600,000
€1,500,000 - 1,800,000

 

379

2014 Land Rover Defender SVX 'Spectre' 4x4 Utility

 

£220,000 - 250,000
€250,000 - 290,000

 

380

1958 Mercedes-Benz 220SE 'Ponton' Competition Saloon

180.010.Z85.
02794

£38,000 - 44,000
€44,000 - 50,000

 

381

2010 Jaguar XJ8 LWB 'Armoured' Saloon

SAJAC91P76SH
11143

£25,000 - 35,000
€29,000 - 40,000

 

382

1962 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster

121.040.20.
023695

£100,000 - 120,000
€110,000 - 140,000

 

383

1964 Bentley Series 3 Continental Two-door Saloon

BC38XC

£80,000 - 90,000
€92,000 - 100,000

 

384

1995 Porsche 911 Type 993 Carrera Cup Competition Coupé

WP0ZZZ99ZTS
398078

£180,000 - 220,000
€210,000 - 250,000

 

385

1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello Coupé

108106

£90,000 - 120,000
€100,000 - 140
,000

 

386

1955 Jaguar XK140 Drophead Coupé

S807077DN

£120,000 - 140,000
€140,000 - 160,000

 

387

1959 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider

AR102 0401637

£65,000 - 75,000
€74,000 - 86,000

 

388

1965 Morris Mini Cooper 970 'S' Sports Saloon

K-A2S4-550919

£50,000 - 60,000
€57,000 - 69,000