RM Adds More Million-Dollar Cars to Monterey Lineup

BLENHEIM, ONTARIO, CANADA, August 5, 2009 – Preeminent international auction house, RM Auctions, is delighted to announce the consignment of a highly-desirable 1955 Aston Martin DB3S and a multiple-race winning 1937 Talbot-Lago T150C SS Teardrop Roadster to its Sports & Classics of Monterey auction event, August 13th to 15th in Monterey, California.

One of just 20 customer DB3Ss built and one of three examples ordered new by Australia’s celebrated ‘Kangaroo Stable’ racing team, the 1955 Aston Martin DB3S, chassis number DB3S/104, boasts an unbroken chain of ownership through to the present and an impressive racing history spanning from 1956 through to its last known event in 1997.

The 1937 Talbot-Lago T150C SS Teardrop Roadster, chassis number 90115, similarly boasts impeccable provenance and a commendable and unique competition record. Born as one of three Figoni & Falaschi Teardrop roadsters and one of just two short chassis examples, the car’s second owner, gentleman racer Louis Rosier, replaced the original coachwork with new Grand Prix coachwork that remains with the car today.

“We are delighted to be presenting these two magnificent cars at our upcoming Monterey sale,” says Ian Kelleher, President and Chief Operating Officer, RM Auctions.

“The Aston Martin DB3S in particular is rarely available to the market and when it is, traditionally only changes hands privately – so it is exceptional to find one with such important provenance to be offered for sale publicly. Its offering, as well as that of the Talbot-Lago, truly represents a once-in-a-lifetime ownership opportunity and we expect both cars will attract significant interest from discerning collectors from around the world,” he added.

Both cars are set to be major highlights of this year’s Monterey weekend, along with previously announced 1952 Jaguar C-Type, one of the first delivered to North America and driven by Phil Hill in the 1952 Sheldon Cup at Elkhart Lake to claim the C-Type’s first North American victory.

The ex-Kangaroo Stable 1955 Aston Martin DB3S: DB3S/104 was completed on May 23, 1955 just days before its racing debut at the Hyeres 12 Hours. Painted in the Aston Martin racing color of Almond Green metallic with a yellow flash on the bonnet, owner / driver Les Cosh and co-pilot Dick Cobden raced it to an impressive third overall finish. After the European season, including races in both Portugal and the UK, DB3S/104 was the only one of the three Kangaroo Stable cars that did not go to Australia. Rather, it was shipped to California racer Rod Carveth, where it reputedly became the first DB3S acquired by an American. Painted black and bearing Carveth’s lucky number ‘54’, the car continued its impressive racing career over the following years on such circuits as Elkhart Lake, Thompson Raceway, Watkins Glen, Lime Rock and Laguna Seca, with Carveth often loaning it out to other drivers, including such notable names as Fred Allen, Jane Wells, Don Burrows, Gil Geitner, John Barenson, George Constantine, Al Laws and Jack Flaherty. Among others, Phil Hill tried the car out during some practice laps, whilst Carroll Shelby achieved a lap record in DB3S/104 at Fort Sumner, Mexico in 1956.

The car’s continuous ownership records include a return to the UK in 1989, where it was repainted in its original Aston Racing Green livery. During this period it also went onto run in the 9th Mille Miglia Storica, the 16th La Sicilia del Florio / 6th Giro Sicilia Storica Sicily, as well the 1997 Silverstone B.R.D.C Historic Series.

DB3S/104 returned to the US in 2005 and in 2007 was awarded First in Class honors at The Quail event in Carmel, California. Superbly presented, it is ‘on the button’, ready to drive and expected to attract significant attention on the auction block. (Estimate – $1,750,000 – $2,250,000 USD)

To view the complete catalog description on this rare 1955 Aston Martin DB3S, click here.

The ex-Louis Rosier 1937 Talbot-Lago T150C SS Teardrop Roadster: Born one of three Figoni & Falaschi roadsters, the coachwork for s/n 90115 has taken two forms – its stunning, original coachwork and the Grand Prix racing coachwork it still wears today and was installed new for its second owner, legendary gentleman racer and five-time French national driving champion, Louis Rosier.

In its original form, s/n 90115 was delivered to original owner M. Cattini as one of three Gotte d’ Eau (Teardrop) roadsters built by the legendary French coachbuilder Figoni & Falaschi – and one of just two built on the T150 C SS competition short chassis. In this form, it is regarded by French car experts as among the most spectacular examples of the exuberant art deco style created and mastered by Figoni.

Following the war, s/n 90115 was in the hands of Louis Rosier who actively campaigned the car in 1946 and 1947, initially racing it in its Figoni coachwork by simply removing the fenders, lights and windscreen to make it more suitable for competition. Later in 1947, he had new Grand Prix coachwork fabricated and installed. Rosier and s/n 90115 made a formidable team over the years, enjoying numerous top six finishes along with a handful of first place finishes, including an overall win at the Grand Prix of Albi and a fourth place finish at the Grand Prix de France.

Other notable owners of s/n 90115 over the years include Charles Huc, Pierre Bardinon and Jean Serre – a great French collector who owned the car for more than 40 years. More recently, the car has benefited from a comprehensive professional restoration in its racing configuration and has enjoyed multiple concours d’elegance wins. (Estimate: $1,500,000 – $2,000,000 USD).

For a full history on this magnificent 1937 Talbot-Lago T150C SS Teardrop Roadster, click here.

Fore more information about the event visit www.rmauctions.com
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