European eccentrics in Connecticut

• 
• 
• 

Abarth may be known for its racy Fiat-based contraptions, but they did a lot more then just that. How about a 1950 Simca, bodied by Stabilimenti Farina with Abarth mechanicals? The result is a paragon of grace and pace with a remarkable history, too. The car was commissioned for LA car dealer extraordinaire Roger Barlow, who had more then a rich (and famous) customer base from his 5766 Hollywood Boulevard premises. As a privateer Simca racer Barlow knew exactly what he had in mind when ordering this roadster and specifically asked Abarth to fettle the engine. A supercharger was fitted, as well as a high-performance head with twin Weber carbs and special exhaust manifold. Body and interior were rather special, too, and were thus given the ‘extra lusso’ badge. The big ‘B’ on the back is not for Belgium but for Barlow. Remarkably, the car has not been used for the past two decades, but is now offered for sale by Dragone Auctions, who estimates it at 400- 500.000 dollars. We’d be surprised if it did not make a bit more.

Dragone has more attractive lots in their Spring sale at Greenwich, Connecticut. This 1966 Maserati Sebring is one of them, and has been lurking in a barn for decades. We all know auction prose can be a bit hyperbolic, especially when the word ‘barn’ is used, but auctioneer Alex Dragone was kind enough to send us over this picture he took himself upon finding the car. Now that’s a barn find! He wrote: “It came from a barn in Canada and was owned by the gentleman since 1974, making it a two owner car from new. It’s in very good original condition and still retains it Borrani wire wheels and its blue leather interior which is amazingly nicely preserved. The Morgan is also in amazing condition. In the pictures the cars are dirty, but both the Morgan as the Maserati have really nice original paint. The Morgan is an original black car and the paint is actually very nice.” The Dragones know what they are talking about – they have been in historic cars for a while now.

(Words Jeroen Booij, pictures Dragone Auctioneers)  

Aggiunga un commento...