Estimate: (£235,000 - £275,000)

CARS BELONGING TO A GENERAL, A COMEDIAN AND A POLITICIAN GO UNDER THE HAMMER AT COYS’ CHRISTMAS AUCTION

Classic cars belonging to personalities from the world of show business, politics and the military are going under the hammer at Coys’ True Greats auction on Tuesday 5th December at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London.

The cars include a 1949 Mercedes-Benz 170V Cabriolet Saloon that belonged to Generalleutnant Herman Holter, who fought in World War I and World War II, a 1987 Caterham Super 7 HPC-BDR purchased new by Rowan Atkinson and a 1973 Ferrari 246GT Dino delivered new to Lord Aitken.

Chris Routledge, CEO of Coys, said: “Coys' annual Christmas auction is the longest-established classic car auction in the world and this year we are offering a fantastic selection of classic and sports cars belonging to quite different personalities from the world of show business, politics and the military.”

Top Ten Cars for Coys’ True Greats

1949 Mercedes-Benz 170V Cabriolet Saloon – The General’s Car (£30,000 - £50,000)

Daimler Benz commissioned and delivered this car new in 1949 to the Fa. Herman Holter near Dusseldorf. Generalleutnant Herman Holter fought in World War I and World War II, where he was awarded the East Medal for the Winter Campaign in Russia, a 1st Class Long Service Award, Knights Cross, Iron Cross and the Lapland Shield. He was captured in Norway in May 1945 and released from US custody in December 1947. The car was imported into the UK in 1958 and became the property of the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works. The car remained in their custody until it was sold from the Ministry to Mr Stickland in 1967. After spending some years in the Channel Islands, it returned to UK mainland where it remained off the road but as part of a collection.

1973 Ferrari 246GT Dino (£235,000 - £275,000)

The Dino was delivered new to Lord Maxwell Aitken, 3rd Baron of Beaverbrook, who enjoyed it through the summer and autumn of 1973. Lord Aitken was the Treasurer of the Conservative Party and the European Democrat Union (1990–1992), as well as a successful businessman. With a mere 33,000 miles recorded and only 300 in the last 9 years, this beautiful original Dino must be one of the nicest models available on the market today.

1987 Caterham Super 7 HPC-BDR (£28,000 - £33,000)

This Super 7, finished in black with black interior, is one of only 62 ever produced with the 1700 Cosworth BDR engine. Its previous keeper was none other than actor and comedian Rowan Atkinson, best known for his work on the sitcoms Blackadder and Mr. Bean. The car comes with a proof of provenance and documentation, including its original UK registration log book signed by Mr. Atkinson, photographs of him with the car at a photo-shoot in Oxfordshire, an original cutting from TV Times advertising the “The Driven Man”, showing him in the car and a letter from Mr. Atkinson’s agent.

1963 Aston Martin DB5 Saloon (£575,000 - £625,000)

This well-known matching numbers Aston was bought in 1986 by John Goldsmith of well-known Aston Martin specialists Goldsmith & Young and went on to become a successful historic racer. It boasts plaques on the steering wheel showing it achieved fastest laps at Brands Hatch in 1986 and at Oulton Park in 1987.

1973 Maserati Bora (£160,000-£190,000)

Maserati built only a handful of right hand driver models of the Bora. With less than 30,000 miles from new, this rare right hand drive spent several years in the ownership of Maserati UK as part of their private collection before being bought by the current vendor in 2005.

1985 Toleman TG185 (£150,000 - £200,000)

This is one of the last cars produced by Ted Toleman’s famous team, which driver line-up included the then Grand Prix debutant and future three-time World Champion Ayrton Senna. The “United Colours of Benetton” liveried Toleman TG185 Chassis No.5 was driven by Teo Fabi in the 1985 European Grand Prix at Brands Hatch and has been kept with its “straight off the track” bodywork, untouched since Fabi stepped out in 1985. More recently it ran at the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the expert hands of FOS regular Lorina McLaughlin with great success and is therefore eligible for future Goodwood events.

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A (Estimate: Refer Department)

In the late thirties there was nothing on the road that surpassed the Mercedes-Benz 540K for style, image, effect, and performance, and resultantly it is known by the world to be the first supercar ever made. That statement is no less true today, particularly in the case of this exceptional example.

1966 Aston Martin DB6 Volante (£700,000 - £750,000)

As one of only 140 Volante-specification examples of the DB6, this elegant soft-top Aston Martin could be the ultimate Christmas present for the true connoisseur. Ready to be driven and enjoyed in the wonderful summer months of 2018.

1961 Ferrari 250 GTE (£250,000 - £300,000)

Boasting coachwork by the famed Italian design house Pininfarina, the 250 GTE has in recent years grabbed the collectors’ attention as many have grown to appreciate the comfort, style, and usability that made them so popular in the early sixties. This matching numbers example with less than 40,000km from new is tastefully finished in silver with its original black leather interior.

1968 Jaguar E-Type Series 1.5 Roadster (£80,000 - £90,000)

The current vendor acquired this E-Type in 1983 as the fourth owner and held on to it until now for more than three decades. In 1989 the car was treated to a meticulous restoration and fitted with a number of upgrades. In good all-round condition, it is still fitted with the original engine, a Jaguar factory hood and comes with the original matching gearbox.

Other interesting collectors’ cars on offer include a 1990 Lamborghini Countach Anniversary (£250,000 - £290,000), a 1966 Alfa Romeo GTC (£100,000 - £130,000), a 2005 Mercedes CLK DTM (£200,000 - £250,000), one of three 1952 Lancia Aurelia B52 “Rosa d’Oro” (£150,000 - £200,000), a 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL (120,000 - £140,000), an ex-Sorn Castle Collection 1955 Austin Healey 100 M specification (£45,000 - £55,000) and an original UK right hand drive 1954 Jaguar XK120 Roadster (£90,000 - £110,000).

Address The Royal Horticultural Society, Lindley Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster, London, SW1P 2PE

Date 05 Dec 2017, 7:00 PM

Viewing Monday 4th December from 12.00pm to 6.00pm

On the day of the sale from 10.00am to start of sale