LONDON.- The most famous of all ‘James Bond’ Aston Martins, a 1964 Aston Martin DB5, will be offered at
Bonhams Bond Street Sale, taking place on 6 December.
The motor car was originally owned by Johnnie Walker heir and celebrated motor-racing figure, Rob Walker. Walker’s elite status in motor racing history began when he founded the most successful privateer team in Formula 1 history, the Rob Walker Racing Team, whose landmark achievements include the first-ever F1 Grand Prix wins for Cooper and Lotus. A highlight lot from the Gordon Willey Collection, the DB5 is offered at an estimate of 400,000-450,000.
Further sale highlights include a 1937 Lagonda 4-Litre LG45 Rapide Tourer. In 1937, The Autocar magazine said of the model: “A short run on one of the first of the 4-Litre Lagonda models left a vivid impression not only of brilliant acceleration and sheer performance, but of a car delightfully silent and easy running in a way that can be achieved to the fullest extent only by a big-engined machine working well inside its limits.”
The late owner, Barclay Dodd, first encountered the Lagonda Rapide in 1937 while he was working for Aston Martin. So impressed by the factory demonstrator's performance, he recommended the Rapide to his father, who duly replaced his Bentley 4-Litre with this incredible Lagonda. One of just 25 built, it has remained in the same family ever since, now offered some 70 years later at an estimate of 500,000-700,000.
Tim Schofield, Bonhams UK Motoring Director, said: “The Bond Street Sale features 30 exciting and rare collectors’ motor cars. These range from heroes of the pre-war era, legends of the 1950s and 1960s, to the modern sports cars of today.”
Further highlights include a 1929 Bentley 4-Litre, estimated at 400,000-500,000, a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT, estimated at 1,000,000-1,200,000, and a1962 AC Cobra Roadster, estimated at 250,000-350,000.
The sale will also feature the rare inclusion of a number plate. Vehicle registration number ‘R6’, which was originally issued in 1903 and has been held in single-family ownership since the 1950s, will be offered with an estimate of 150,000-180,000.
