Competition cars under starters’ orders for H&H March sale

Following another milestone year in which they set numerous world records for cars and motorcycles, H&H Classic Auctions are starting 2007 in style with a sale at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 1. Set within the magnificent surroundings of the Centaur Complex, it will be headlined by a 1929 Grand Prix Alfa Romeo.

Grand Prix Alfa

The 6C 1750 Super Sport 3rd Series Supercharged Alfa Romeo enjoyed an illustrious start in life, winning the 1929 Irish Grand Prix Eireann Cup at Phoenix Park in the hands of former Russian Imperial Guard officer Boris Ivanowski. The Hon. Anthony Brunner had registered UU 79 only a matter of days before he made a leasing agreement with the British concessionaire for Alfa Romeo, F.W. Stiles, for the car to be raced by Ivanowski. The Russian drove to victory at an astonishing average of 76.4 mph round a circuit made hazardous by melting tar and acute corners, beating the Bentleys of Britons Glen Kidston and Henry Birkin into second and third place respectively.

After its success, the car was returned to Brunner in the exact state that it had raced and finished in Ireland. He is believed to have used it for light competition during the ‘30s, and A.T. “Goldie” Gardiner drove the car at the Brighton Speed Trials in the mid-‘30s.

The current owners – renowned Alfa Romeo collectors and racers – acquired this important piece of motor racing history some four decades ago. Since then they have had to replace the crankshaft and sundry other engine internals, but have wisely left the bodywork and trim as untouched as possible in order to preserve the car’s unique provenance. UU 79 has been a regular competitor at all manner of events both at home and abroad for the past 30-plus years. This exceptionally original road racer is in timewarp condition and carries an estimate of £400,000-450,000.

Other racy offerings

Other competition cars lining up on the grid for March 1 include a sprightly 1936 Supercharged MG PB with period Brooklands and Goodwood racing history (estimate: £68,000-75,000), a 1969 Sturdgess SL1/3 sports racer, one of just three such cars commissioned (estimate: £28,000-34,000), a 1963 Merlyn MK4A Sports Racer (estimate: £65,000-70,000), a 1957 Elva MK2 Spider Sports Racer (estimate: £45,000-50,000) and a 1951 Joe Potts F3 Single-Seater that is expected to fetch £8,000-10,000.

Wedding belles

With ideal timing for those looking towards a spring or summer wedding, a whole fleet of specialist wedding cars is also on offer at Cheltenham on March 1. No less than nine are available, ranging from a 1966 MKII Jaguar (estimate: £12,000-14,000) to a very fine Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III (estimate: £22,000-26,000).

The wedding ‘belles’ also include some American classics, for those happy couples looking for transatlantic style for their big day. The very beautiful 1931 Ford Model A Victoria Coupe carries an estimate of £14,000-16,000, while the 1963 Buick Riviera is likely to make £13,000-15,000.

The eclectic wedding collection even includes a black stretched Range Rover. Believed to have cost £139,000 when new in 1994, it was built for the Sultan of Brunei and features all the creature comforts one might expect. It has covered just 14,000 miles, is virtually as good as new and has an estimate of £24,000-28,000.

Further information on this and all other H&H sales can be found at classic-auctions.com.