at Masterpiece 2010
Fiskens, will reunite two stars of the classic 1960s British comedy ‘The Fast Lady’ at the Masterpiece Fair in Chelsea this week.
Fiskens will display the very 1927 Bentley 4.5 Litre that played a key role in the film at the event at Chelsea Barracks on 24-29 June. On Wednesday’s exclusive preview day it will be reunited with actor Leslie Phillips, who played used car salesman and serial cad Freddie Fox.
The stunning Bentley, consigned for sale to Fiskens at its Kensington showrooms, is an original Vanden Plas fabric bodied, short chassis ‘Red Label’ Speed model that was upgraded in period to full 4.5 Litre specification. It was purchased in 1959 by Independent Artists Limited as they searched for a car to star in ‘The Fast Lady’, directed by Ken Annakin of ‘Swiss Family Robinson’, ‘Battle of the Bulge’ and ‘Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines’ fame and starring the likes of Stanley Baxter, James Robertson Justice and a very young Julie Christie, making her big screen debut, alongside Phillips.
“It is remarkable that ‘The Fast Lady’ didn’t disappear after the end of filming, as so many star cars tend to,” said Fiskens’ James Mitchell.
Fiskens will also display a sensational 1934 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 at the fair, a fabulous example of the legendary model with the supercharged straight eight engine, a model that enjoyed racing successes at events including the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and Le Mans 24 Hours.
This example, chassis 2311228, was originally supplied in April 1934 to Ambrogio Castiglioni, the famous powerboat racer, and it has recently been painstakingly restored by renowned specialists ‘Cognolato’ in Italy in time for Masterpiece 2010.
“Each car has a very special history and are perfect examples of the kind of automobiles that we are privileged to work with each day,” said Mitchell. “They are true automotive Masterpieces!”
The Masterpiece Fair is a unique showcase for the most covetable objects in the world: traditional and modern, old and new, from the finest of fine and decorative art to the best of wines, classic cars, jewellery and contemporary design.
