RM Sotheby’s will host its biennial Villa Erba sale, May 25, during the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este weekend. As ever, this prestigious showcase sale will feature the very best investment-quality cars available to the market. With an historic and highly original 1931 Aston Martin 1.5-litre International ‘LM5’ already setting the tone for early entries, RM Sotheby’s has announced four stunning and highly collectable Zagato-bodied cars, particularly fitting in the legendary Italian company’s 100th anniversary year.
Leading the group is a truly beautiful 1955 Fiat 8V Coupé by Zagato, one of the most celebrated Italian cars of its decade. The car on offer, chassis no. 000076, is one of 26 coupes built and was delivered new to its first owner in Turin, originally finished in Green metallic paintwork contrasting with its black interior. Remaining in its native Italy until at least the late 1970s, it has been used and enjoyed as befits a fine sports car, having participated in historic racing events in Italy in the 1970s and 1980s, including the Mille Miglia. The recent recipient of a sympathetic, full restoration in its original colors, it retains its original Tipo 104.000 engine and remains ready to be driven and enjoyed by its next owner (Est. €1.600.000 – €1.800.000).
Perhaps best viewed as the Fiat 8V’s equally delectable younger brother, a 1959 Fiat-Abarth 750 GT ‘Double Bubble’ by Zagato is also set for RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba sale. This lovely little sports GT car is based on the chassis of the humble Fiat 600, however it is a joy to drive and allows access to racing events all over the world. The ultra-lightweight nature of these cars makes the 750-cc GT a proper competitor and is undoubtedly one of the most famous and interesting motor cars produced by the two legendary brands, Abarth and Zagato. The 1959 example offered for sale is fitted with the rare and desirable Mille Miglia engine, which was equipped from the factory with a lightweight crankshaft. With known long-term history, this Abarth is believed to have raced in period in the U.S. when new. The car benefits from a full nut-and-bolt restoration and is presented in concours-ready condition, as well as with an Abarth Classiche Certificate of Authenticity (Est. €100.000 – €200.000).
Joining the Zagato-bodied cars on offer is a 1966 Lancia Flaminia Super Sport 3C 2.8 by Zagato. A superb example of Lancia’s second-series Flaminia Sport, this car is offered from long-term ownership and finished in stylish slate grey over red leather interior. Fully restored to concours standards, this Lancia, offered without reserve, is a stellar example of mid-century Italian design and elegance (Est. €230.000 – €280.000, offered without reserve).
And bringing Zagato’s distinctive design philosophy bang up to date, is a 2019 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake, the 12th of only 99 built and arguably the most interesting of the Vanquish Zagato body styles. The fruit of Aston Martin’s newest collaboration with Zagato and first seen at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2016, the car is made completely of carbon fiber, while the stunning body clothes the Vanquish’s 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 580 bhp, with further mechanical changes include a slightly more open exhaust and a stiffer suspension. Each Vanquish Zagato was fully customizable, making each car unique. Delivered new to its first and only owner in France, the car offered is finished in Lava Red over an Obsidian Black interior and boasts a number of interesting options, including black brake callipers, roof in bare carbon fiber, black exhaust pipes, Shadow Bronze jewellery interior pack and Zagato emblems embroidered on the headrests in Spicy Red. A virtually as-new example and offered without reserve, the Aston Martin is estimated at €650.000 – €850.000.
The official auction house of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba sale will lift the gavel on a carefully curated roster of just 50 of the world’s finest automobiles. For more information visit rmsothebys.com
