To celebrate the end of the seventh generation Phantom, Rolls-Royce has designed and built a bespoke picnic Hamper.

Rarity is an attribute awarded to items of true luxury. In this spirit, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has created a Picnic Hamper for the Phantom Zenith Collection; a rare and collectable addition to Rolls‑Royce’s remarkable new Bespoke end-of-the-line Phantom models.

As preparations for the eighth-generation Phantom limousine commence, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars earlier this year announced it will build 50 sumptuously specified Bespoke creations named the Phantom Zenith Collection, featuring the much-loved Phantom Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupé models, both of which have been announced to leave the stage at the end of the year.

Recognising the unique nature of this Phantom celebration, collectors and patrons of the Phantom Zenith Collection have asked the marque to enrich these extraordinary pieces by offering exclusive access to the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Design Team, who have responded by creating a Bespoke Picnic Hamper to complement each new motor car.

The picnic hamper completes the trinity of objects created under the Phantom Zenith Collection, joining the motor car and a unique metal ingot (a single piece of the Phantom assembly line from the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England), which will be presented in the motor car itself, hinting at the historical significance of this rare and precious collection.

The hamper will serve as a true collectors’ piece, marrying Rolls-Royce’s remarkable craftsmanship with its customary eye for detail. Every hamper will be sequentially numbered to perfectly match each owner’s Phantom Zenith Collection motor car.

Embodying the concept of the picnic as an occasion to be savoured and appreciated, the hamper itself is crafted from American Walnut wood and natural grain leather. Each is finished in a choice of three colour combinations matching the interior of the cars themselves. These include a subtly contrasting Ardent Red leather and black leather piping inspired by a 1929 Phantom II; a contemporary combination of Navy Blue and Arctic White leather piping evoking the genteel ambiance of a the original 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom II; or a timeless black Anthracite leather with Seashell piping, reminiscent of the 1911 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.

The hamper’s leather stitching – and a dart of contrast colour on the lid – echoes the interior of the Phantom Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupé’s split tailgate, a private hosting area complete with a cool box, illuminated glass shelf, Champagne holder and a leather seat for two.

Upon opening the hamper owners will find inside a unique plaque corresponding to the identification number given to their vehicle – one of just 50.

Piano Black picnic tables housed within the hamper fold out on milled-aluminium hinges. Like the armrest cappings inside the car, the hinges reference the history of these remarkable motor cars, engraved with the locations of the global debut of the experimental versions of each car – Villa D’Este on the shores of Lake Como for 100EX, the progenitor of the Phantom Drophead Coupé; and Lake Geneva for the 101EX, the car that would ultimately become the Phantom Coupé.

The leather and wood interior shelving of the hamper contains lead crystal wine glasses, handmade stainless steel cutlery, napkins embroidered with the Rolls-Royce monogram in Arctic White, and a handcrafted American Walnut chopping board. A final flourish, the Zenith Collection Picnic Hamper comprises unique crockery, with painted black and platinum detail around the edges.

The Phantom Zenith Collection Picnic Hamper will be on display at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, California from 17-21 August.

MECUM MONTEREY #4 - This Peugeot 402 employs a sleek one-off all steel body which is beautifully proportioned

Automobiles Peugeot has the distinction of being the oldest continuously-operating automobile manufacturer in the world. Its roots are in Les Fils des Peugeot Frères, a bicycle manufacturing concern at Valentigny, France. 

In 1889, Armand Peugeot built a steam car, with an engine from Leon Serpollet, and in 1890 drove it from Paris to Lyon. 

Daimler-powered gasoline cars came next, vee-twin-engined, tubular frame, tiller-steered machines, one of which made the first long-distance auto journey in France in 1891.

In 1897, Armand Peugeot left the family firm and established S.A. des Automobiles Peugeot at Audincourt, in eastern France, building large cars: a 3.3-liter design and 5.8 liters by 1900. 

Front-mounted engines were adopted across the board in 1902, and shaft drive was adopted gradually through 1909. In 1910, the automobile and cycle operations were re-united, and a new plant at Sochaux, which would become the firm's principal location, was erected. 

The most famous Peugeot from that period is the diminutive Bébé, designed by Ettore Bugatti and introduced in 1912. That same year Peugeot went racing with a twin-cam engine designed by Ernest Henry. 

The engine was revolutionary even by today's standards, a four-cylinder with twin overhead camshafts, hemispherical combustion chambers and four valves per cylinder with desmodromic action to operate the valves. 

After winning everything in Europe, from speed records at Brooklands to the Coppa Florio, the L3, as the car was called, went to Indianapolis, winning in 1913 with Jules Goux driving. The feat was repeated by others in 1916 and 1919.

Peugeot cars of the 1920s were relatively upright and orthodox. By the early 1930s, some streamlining was becoming evident, but it was the 402 model, introduced in 1935, that set new standards in design. 

The 402 had a 2.0 Liter inline 4 cylinder engine, usually mated to a Cotal preselector or manual 3-speed gearboxes, and the cars were occasionally fitted with strikingly rakish coachbuilt bodies.

While this car shares mechanical specification with its perhaps better known cousin, the 402 Darl Mat, it looks nothing like them. This 402 employs a sleek one-off all steel body which is beautifully proportioned. 

Some debate exists as to who the original coachbuilder may have been for this particular body. One school of thought is that it may have been styled by Pourtout, while others suggest that the supporting evidence points towards Ateliers de Carrosserie de Becon of Paris, often abbreviated “A.C.B.”. 

This is the opinion of Hubert Auran, who is among the world’s most well respected historians of Darl Mats. Whether by Pourtout or by Ateliers de Carrosserie de Becon of Paris, the currently fitted body very likely replaced a version of the more common 402 coachwork which original cloaked chassis number 797280. 

Indeed, it was not unusual for customers desiring specialty bodies to acquire and deliver an automobile to their chosen coachbuilder, such that a body could be hung on an existing chassis, and it is believed by some that the striking coachwork we see here was completed shortly after WWII. 

Interestingly, a period photo exists which is dated to the 1940s by Nick Valcamp, a leading art historian, depicting what is believed this car in an unrestored state, which would mean the body would have existed well before the conclusion of WWII. 

The chassis measures 114-inches in wheelbase, which was elongated for this particular project. When compared to the Darl Mats, it is considerably larger and longer, roughly the size of a Delahaye 135. 

While debate may continue to exist about the origins of this body, what is absolutely clear is that it is a remarkably beautiful and very early French design, highly evocative of the deco styling of 1930s European culture.

According to Hurbert Auran, by the 1970s this car was owned by famous collector Maurice Broual who sold the car to Roger Baillon, who has since become incredibly well-known for his “Sleeping Beauties” collection which included, among other wonderful cars, a Ferrari 250 Short Wheelbase California Spyder, was auctioned in Paris in 2015, shattering world records. Mr. Baillon auctioned this Peugeot in 1980, at which time it was exported to the United States. 

At some point around this time the front section of the body was reworked in the style of a Talbot SS.    

The car’s first American owner was an enthusiast who started a comprehensive restoration in the early 1980s. 

After enduring the restoration process for some years, the car was acquired by Jerry Sauls as partial payment on a Duesenberg transaction, who continued the restoration while in his care. 

The present owner bought the lovely 402 from Mr. Sauls as he was winding down his collection, still in restoration process, and commenced an even more comprehensive restoration to the current award-winning presentation. 

This restoration work was done over a three year period ending in 2010 by pre-war restoration authority Dan McMann at International Auto Restorations in Illinois. Mr. McMann had previously won his class with a Stutz at Pebble Beach, and as we can see from end-product, was clearly well-suited to the unique process this low-slung one-off Peugeot had to offer. 

This work included re-situating the nose to its current style, which is believed to be in keeping with the styling employed by those who crafted its post-WWII configuration.

Once completed, the present owner set off actively campaigning the car in North America’s most prestigious concours events. 

It was invited and displayed at Meadowbrook, Amelia Island, the Glenmoore Gathering, Keeneland Councours, The Masterpiece, and the Geneva Concours. 

The car showed well against stiff competition from some of the world’s most amazing enthusiasts; The Oscar Davis and Peter Mullin Collections, to name a few. The Peugeot won senior awards and People’s Choice Glenmoor, Masterpiece, and Keeneland Concourses. 

The car was given full classic status by the CCCA and scored 100 points at the Grand Classic in 2010 at Hickory Corners, and in 2015, it was invited to be displayed at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Today, the car presents beautifully. Its low-slung lines and short, rakish windscreen lend themselves well to the handsome silver over black color scheme.  

While there are some signs the restoration is mellowing slightly, they are generally limited to some paint imperfections near the opening panels, and only visible upon close inspection. 

The brightwork remains in superb order, and the car retains its correct and beautiful Marchal domed headlights. The interior also in excellent, show ready condition, with supple leather, wool carpets showing no age, and warm, glossy dash and door top wood in unmarked condition. The under hood area is also suburb.

The car is in good running and driving mechanical order. It starts easily and makes strong power output for a car of its age and displacement. The Cotal gear change is effortless, and immediate. 

The brakes are well-adjusted and stop the car reasonably straight. The tachometer is not currently operational, but the balance of the gauges and switchgear appear operational.

Whether to be kept as the keystone of a collection, for continued show enjoyment, or for use in tour and rally events, the one-off coachbuilt masterpiece with immense show pedigree is sure to appeal to the French motoring enthusiast who recognizes the once in a lifetime opportunity it represents. 

Save for Pebble Beach, where it was shown in 2015, it remains a welcome entrant to nearly all the world’s most prestigious show venues, and is well situated to compete in category against some of the most beautiful and influential designs of the 20th century, almost always the genre from which the Best of Show winner is selected. 

Rare right hand drive 1973 Range Rover convertible to be the star attraction at the Silverstone Auctions NEC sale.

• Rare early right-hand drive 62,500-mile Range Rover convertible conversion due to be auctioned at Silverstone Auctions’ NEC Classic Motor Show Sale
• Bespoke Special Vehicle Conversions build based on UK right-hand drive 1973 Range Rover ‘Suffix B’ will be sold with an estimate of £35,000 - £40,000 after a full restoration
• Silverstone Auctions’ two-day NEC Classic Motor Show Sale will be held at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at the NEC, Birmingham on 14-15 November - consignments are still invited

A rare early Range Rover convertible conversion is due to be sold at Silverstone Auctions’ last auction of the year, The NEC Classic Motor Show Sale, on 14-15 November 2015.

Starting life as a 1973 Range Rover ‘Suffix B’, the car was converted in the late Eighties by Special Vehicle Conversions, who specialise in bespoke convertible conversions for Range Rovers of the period.

The rare right-hand drive convertible has covered just 62,500 miles from new and having recently been restored to its original Special Vehicle Conversions specification, it will be sold at The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show auction with an estimate of £35,000 - £40,000.

The car was apparently won by the previous owner in a card game in the Nineties, who then stored it in a lock-up as he didn’t have space in his garages. The vendor heard of the story and sought to try and find the car again in 2014. After trying to locate the car and with the help of Land Registry records, it was uncovered in superb condition – with its undersealed chassis still in fine fettle.

Later that year, the car was treated to an eight-month nut and bolt restoration costing £20,000, which included the recommission of its 3.5-litre V8 engine. The convertible conversion heads to The NEC Classic Motor Show Sale in superb condition, ready to be enjoyed by its next owner. 

Arwel Richards, Classic Car Consignor at Silverstone Auctions spoke about the Range Rover and said, “This classic Range Rover convertible conversion is a car worthy of the modern-day James Bond, but has a story akin to that of ‘007’ too. Not only does this convertible conversion have unique provenance, but it’s based on a truly superb early right-hand drive Range Rover ‘Suffix B’ and has covered a mere 62,500 miles – I doubt you’ll find one like this in the near future.

“With the recently launched Range Rover Evoque Convertible, it has become in vogue even more. It’s a real privilege to be entrusted with re-homing this very important car at the NEC Classic Motor Show Sale and I’m sure its new owner will love and cherish it, especially after its superb restoration.”

Silverstone Auctions will also be exhibiting at Classic & Sports Car - The London Show, held at Alexandra Palace from 30 October – 1 November as auctioneers for the silent auction. The auction house will be exhibiting two cars on their stand, as well as offering on-site valuations to show visitors.

Some Rare, Some Uber rare and some, just stunning, but all will be at the next Barons Auction Sale.

The entry list for Barons’ sale at Sandown Park on September 15^th features an eclectic mix of cars spanning 10 decades, turning the saleroom into something of a ‘pop-up’ motoring museum.

The sale is headlined by an extremely rare 1936 Alvis Speed 20 SD drophead coupé with Vanden Plas coachwork. One of five such examples built, just three are believed to still be in existence, and this is the only car of its type registered in the membership list of the Alvis Owner Club. 

It comes with a complete record of owners since its manufacture nearly 80 years ago, and still drives very well and performs strongly. Estimate: £100,000-£130,000.

Another rarity is the unrestored, highly original 1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal V8 Bertone Coupé, which has covered just 38,000 miles in over 40 years, and has been barn-stored since 2011. 

Whilst the bodywork is in need of renovation, the car is in excellent mechanical health, thanks to the careful nurturing of its three owners, and the all-important Type 33 engine howls into life at the first turn of the key.  Estimate: £21,000-£25,000.

Classic commercial vehicles have become highly collectable in recent years, and the 1962 Austin A55 Half Ton on offer at Barons is just the type of machine to catch a collector’s eye, not least because it has covered just 3,700 miles from new and even runs on its original Dunlop cross-ply tyres! 

It was purchased new by the vendor’s father, who had a provisional licence, so only drove it when accompanied. 

The only items which have been changed on the vehicle since 1962 are the exhaust, service items and the rear brake shoes. Estimate: £18,000-£22,000.

The name ‘Auto Union’ immediately conjures up images of those legendary Silver Arrows race cars of the inter-War era. However, there’s an Auto Union of a rather different type in the sale – a 1964 1000S De Luxe.  

A ‘must’ for Audi fans, this very rare car runs on a mixture of petrol and oil, thanks to its two-stroke engine.  Estimate: £7,500-£9,000.

The 1973 Opel Manta 1.9 Berlinetta is another rare beast, particularly in such immaculate condition.  

Prior to its current ownership it had been the hands of one family since new, and had stood in a barn for nearly three decades before the vendor acquired it. He has re-manufactured the car from its bare component form, and a complete portfolio of the work is provided with this ‘better than new’ car. Estimate £12,000-£15,000.

The Ford marque is particularly well represented in the September 15^th sale, with some fine examples from 1917 to 1987. The oldest Ford on offer is the 1917 Model T – in black, naturally! The estimate for this sprightly machine, which is just two years off its centenary, is £10,500-£12,500.  

Its fellow Fords include the 1955 Consul £5,500-£7,000, 1963 Anglia 105E (£7,000-£9,000), 1983 Cortina Mk 5 1.6 Crusader and 1987 Escort 1.4L.  The Cortina has just 10,000 miles on the clock, and the Escort has 11,000. These cars carry estimates of £3,500-£4,500 and £3,000-£4,500 respectively.

And a Ford of a very different nature can be found in the form of the head-turning 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback GT350 Hertz tribute car, which was painstakingly restored by Hurst Mustang in California just 3,700 miles ago. Estimate: £33,000-£37,000.

Ultra rare Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage comes under the hammer at Blenheim Palace Auction.

• Exceptional right-hand-drive Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage headlines Silverstone Auctions’ Salon Privé Sale
• Believed to be one of only 50 ever built and one of three originally supplied from the factory with an automatic gearbox
• Recent restoration and upgrades by specialist Aston Martin preparers have maximised and enhanced the driving experience
• Guide price of £675,000 - £775,000 underscores its rarity, provenance and high-quality mechanical restoration
• Held at the majestic location of Blenheim Palace on Friday 4 September, the Salon Privé Sale features a host of high-end classic and modern supercars 

The star of the show at Silverstone Auctions’ Salon Privé Sale held at Blenheim Palace on Friday 4 September will be an outstanding and very rare Aston Martin.

Presented with superb history and in immaculate condition, the 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage will command a guide price of £675,000 - £775,000 and will be the headline lot in an auction of over 60 exceptional, handpicked modern and classic cars.

Finished in its original Goodwood Green paint and red leather interior, the striking Aston Martin is believed to be one of only 50 cars built in this specification, and one of only three Series V Vantages to be built with an automatic ‘Borg Warner’ gearbox.

Aston Martin produced the DB4 from October 1958 to June 1963 and in that time made five ‘Series’ variants of shape and specification. 

The later Series V models were built between September 1962 and June 1963 and had a longer wheelbase (3.5-feet), creating increased legroom and space for luggage, making them superb grand touring machines.  

Delivered new on 24 August 1963, this particularly model, chassis #1197, is believed to be one of the last to leave the factory - the last being #1215L - before building of the later DB5 model commenced. 

The matching numbers Vantage variant has a unique and fully documented history as well as being recently restored to fast-road specification, by specialist Aston Martin race preparers.

During the restoration a four-speed David Brown manual gearbox with overdrive was fitted along with a full handling kit comprising springs, roll bars and Koni dampers. 

The brakes were also upgraded as well as adjustable power steering to further complement the driving experience. A set of custom-made ‘off-set’ Borrani wheels and restored red leather interior finish off the tasteful modifications.

The car comes with a comprehensive history file, including the factory records on the build sheet from 1963 to 1966 and correspondence from Aston Martin to the first two owners. 

It also comes with the original gearbox, allowing any future owner to return the car to original specification. The history then follows from 1973 to 2015 with vast amounts of invoices, receipts, MoT certificates and the now void tax discs, giving a detailed record of this car’s past.

Operations Manager and Classic Car Consignor, Harry Whale said: “We are very excited to offer this DB4 Series V Vantage, which incorporates an intoxicating blend of extraordinary provenance and history, along with an unrivalled driving experience. 

It’s a stunning example of the DB4 Series V Vantage and a car to cherish for years to come. Next month’s sale epitomises what we can do here at Silverstone Auctions - offering a quality, eclectic mix of exciting cars.”

Autoglym returns to the Concours of Elegance at Holyroodhouse Palace as this years car care supplier.

This September the world’s leading car care experts, Autoglym, will partner with the Concours of Elegance for the fourth successive year, ensuring the unique gathering of rare and exotic cars is presented to the absolute highest standard on the lawns of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh.

Only 60 cars of the highest calibre are invited to take part in the Concours (60 being a reference to Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee which saw the event established at Windsor Castle in 2012), with the rarest cars from all over the world painstakingly selected by the Concours Steering Committee – among the most highly regarded and authoritative car experts. 

Supporting the 60 Concours cars will be many more from the show’s partner manufacturers Bentley, Jaguar Land Rover, McLaren; and collectors and clubs from across Europe.

With two Royal Warrants, Autoglym will be in familiar regal surroundings in Edinburgh, with 20 highly qualified technicians on hand throughout the event to prepare and care for the vehicles during the all important Concours of Elegance judging.

The team will also be on hand to give technical know-how and practical car care advice to the thousands of visitors expected at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Paul Caller, chief executive of Autoglym, said: “The Concours of Elegance is one of the most prestigious classic car events in the UK and is now a fixture in the motoring world calendar, unique in that it is held in a sublime Royal Palace each year, and we are delighted to work with the organisers once more after the success of the previous three at Windsor, St. James and Hampton Court.

“Many of our products were formulated years after these cars were even built, so ensuring they suit the needs of an older vehicle is essential.

“Having close links with motor manufacturers, museums and access to historic car collections enables us to keep a catalogue of paint plates, rubbers and leathers to test on when carrying out development work.  This makes our products a very reassuring choice for car owners, no matter what the vintage.”

The three day spectacular motoring festival runs from the 4^th to 6^th September 2015.

Original Mini and Mini Metro now becoming rare.

There are still 8,176 original Minis driving around British roads whereas its unloved replacement, the Mini Metro sold under the Austin and Rover brands, has fared less well with just 3,262 left despite being produced later on.

According to WeLoveAnyCar.com, there are 34 different Austin Mini models remaining on UK roads. Some models are the last of their kind; someone is driving around Britain in the last licensed Austin Mini ‘850 Van’ and there are just 3 Mini ‘SPL’ versions left.

Only 3,261 of the poorly-built and unloved Austin and Rover Metros are left on the roads with an amazingly high 77 model versions. Some are facing total extinction; there is just one Austin Metro ‘HL’ left and two licensed Rover Metro ‘MG Turbo’ versions remaining.

A WeLoveAnyCar.com spokesman said, “Since we launched our #CarCountUK page, 10s of thousands of people have visited the site to see how many of the cars they knew, loved and drove remain on British roads. Of the greatest surprise to many is the fact that they are discovering the car they drive today might also be quite rare.”

Today’s Exclusive Cars

BMW has been successful worldwide with the modern Mini and there are 490,376 registered for British roads. There are only three Mini Cooper Graphite C-Man DA models registered: their owners can rightly claim to own a very rare and exclusive modern car.  The most exclusive Mini driver in Britain is the owner of the only Mini One ‘Soho Clubman Auto’ registered before December 2013.

There are 206 different modern Mini models registered to drive on British roads.  In an increasing trend to ‘design’ a car, offered by Fiat 500, Vauxhall Adam and others, prospective owners can choose exactly what they want from thousands of extras to add on to the hundreds of base models available.

WeLoveAnyCar.com, the UK’s biggest car review site with over 601,179 car owner reviews and opinions, designed their #CarCountUK website so anyone could find out how many of a certain model of car is left registered to drive on public roads.  The figures are produced each year by the government and WeLoveAnyCar.com has taken this and reprocessed the information so it is easy, and free, to use. There may be other models of any of the cars mentioned in garages and sheds but these, for whatever reason, have been taken off the road by their owners.