Bonhams & Brooks Sale at Historic Festival - Silverstone
25 August 2001

 Text and photos by Martin Wollny

The ex-Tony Merrick 1936-series 1.5 litre supercharged ERA B-Type - Single-Seater Racing Voiturette
This car was built in 1970s by a leading British racing car restorer Tony Merrick out of original ERA components and carefully manufactured parts where originals were not available. The tail fuel tank is believed to be the one discarded from Prince Bira's Romulus. Out of 17 ERA cars built originally, only one didn't survive and this car is filling the gap and is recognised by VSCC to be used in competition. It is offered here in race-ready condition.



Results

1962 Fiat Ghia 1500 Coupe. One out of only 20 cars ever produced, this example was imported into the UK from Italy in 1992 and has seen very little use since. It comes with Borrani wire wheels and two spare engines. It is reported to be in good condition overall and will have a fresh MOT at the time of the sale..

1973 Porsche 911 to 3.0 litre Carrera RS-Style Rally Specification
Left-hand drive Porsche prepared for rally, 3-litre fuel-injected engine giving 300bhp. Some of the features are the 5-speed close-ratio 915 unit, limited slip differential, fibreglass front and rear bumpers. It weighs in at 1036kg, so let you imagination work out the performance. It was looked after by Francis Tuthill of Banbury and is in excellent condition throughout. Recently, it has been brought up to the latest racing regulations by fitting of the new roll cage. It also had new torsion bars installed, Bilstein rear shocks, new seat mounts, 4 additional spotlights and other minor jobs. It has been used in tarmac rallies.

Ex-works Lancia /Martini, Markku Alen 1982 Lancia 037. Believed to be the car raced by Markku Alen in 1982 Tour de Corse. It was initially fitted with an early 1,995cc Abarth engine, but recently upgraded to 2,122cc Evo II. Original low ratio transmission replaced for a higher ratio final drive, good for 147mph at 8,500rpm. Believed to be able to rev up to 9500rpm. Developing 380bhp and in superb condition.

The ex-works, SPA 24 Hours, Tom Walkinshaw & John Fitzpatrick 1974 Ford Capri MkII Saloon. This Ford Cari was built by Ford specifically fo rSpa Francochamps 24 Hours race of 1974. In 1990 it was rebuilt to 1975 specs - part aluminium body, 3.2 litre engine. It in a very good condition including the engine and would be suitable for the pre-75 Road Car Race Series.

1985 Audi Sport Quattro Coupe. Factory built to Group B specification, this Kevlar-bodied car is powered by 306bhp engine and is capable of 0-60mph run in 4.8 seconds. Never raced and in A1 condition having covered on ly 27,500 miles.

1992 Maserati Ghibli 2.0. One of 1,133 Ghiblis produced between 1992 and 1997. The 18 valves engine was good for 180bhp, but this variant - a 24 valves V6 was developing 306bhp and top speed of 165mph was possible.

The ex-works 1982 Audi Quattro A1 Group B Coupe
Ex AudiSport Group B car. The car was then used in the Middle East Championship in 1986 by the new owner. It produces over 300bhp, is mechanically in superb condition although the body bears scars of its competition past.