Description
1939 Atalanta 4. 3 V12, FLY 862, Chassis Number L1018, The Black, Cream and Green Abbott of Farnham Coachwork Four Seater Saloon Coupe has had a Total Rebuild completed to Concours standard over a 12 year period including the Lincoln Zephyr V12 and 3 Speed Manual Gearbox. This is the best 4 seat Atalanta V12, the British take on a Type 57 Bugatti.
See Classic & Sportscar Magazine, January 2024, for an article on this Atalanta.
A Unique Collection of 3 out of up to 26 Pre War 1930?s Atalanta Motors Ltd. V12 Motor Cars. This is the largest collection of Atalanta Company Pre War 4. 3 Litre V12 Motor Cars in the world including many Spares, a Lalique Mascot with Illumination and Associated Paperwork and History Files. A unique opportunity to own the ultimate Rare British Pre War Car Collection. It is believed a total of up to 26 chassis were produced in Staines, Middlesex, now Surrey from 1936 to 1939 with all having unique coachwork, production ceased due to the outbreak of the second world war. All 3 cars in the collection were built with Abbott of Farnham Aluminium over Ash Coachwork. Only 8 cars are known to exist worldwide with 2 cars in this collection having the only roadworthy running V12?s in the U. K. as of Winter 2023, a further Atalanta V12 is being restored at the moment to be returned to the road in England during 2024 and a further V12 Atalanta was recently sold in the U. S. A.. Therefore there are only 4 examples in the world that were built with the Lincoln V12 and still remain complete today, FLY is one such example, they all have different Abbott coachwork so are all unique.
FLY was registered on 4th April 1939 to Sir Henry "Walter" Gilby 2nd Bt. of Elsenham Hall, who ran W & A Gilbey Distillers and a successful stud farm. The Elsenham stud farm was purchased in 1936 by Dorothy Paget the famous eccentric queen of the sport of kings and backer for Sir Henry "Tim" Birkin 3rd Bt. to produce the Bentley 4. 5 Litre Blower cars. Miss Paget's Golden Miller is the most successful Cheltenham Gold Cup Horse ever winning the race in five consecutive years between 1932 and 1936 and the only horse to win the Grand National in the same year (1934) is buried at Elsenham. FLY has been restored to a higher than original standard over 12 years with many unique features. Atalanta logos have been engraved on the chrome wheel spinners and chrome sunroof knob, the wooden gear knob has V12 engraved on the top. All the lights apart from the headlights are LED including the individual rear number plate letters. Additional lights and horns have also been added. The twin pipe exhaust system is a larger bore giving a much deeper exhaust note. Additional fine lines have been hand painted on the coachwork. The boot features a chrome stay that can be screwed on to form a picnic table. The interior features vegetable dye green leather, custom spun art deco green and cream cloth, French polished woodwork and Atalanta cast pedals. The rebuilt V12 is still being run in and has been painted in green and black with extra chrome in the bay, cooled by an electric fan with thermostat. The brakes were updated in period for racing and a post war RGS Atalanta high ratio differential has been installed for very relaxed cruising.
The Mileage is showing 34, 715, it is exempt from road tax, M. O. T. testing and London ULEZ, 2 sets of keys and a unique fob are included. A Lalique glass mascot is also included with a illuminated chrome base which has not been fitted, a colour coordinated Kismet Duplex foot pump is in the boot and a copy of RGS Atalantas by Alan Shattock is a lovely addition along with lots of Atalanta history. There are also multiple folders of paperwork, restoration receipts and associated documentation. The body was rebuilt by Vintagecars. com of Lymington now called Ashley & James Coachbuilding Ltd. it was worked on alongside the unique 1939 Bentley Corniche and the chrome work by Genuis of the Lamp of Birmingham and much of the mechanical work by Guy Moore of Lincolnshire. We have full ownership history which totals 8 owners. Gilby 1939, Hume, Henderson 1950, Joseland 1951, Joseland 1953, Macadie 1971, Ward 2010 and now Ward 2022.
Price £195, 000 o. n. o. for Atalanta V12 FLY 862
Atalanta EJB 540, Atalanta GMX 822 and Spares (SOLD JUNE 2023) and the Rebuilt Lincoln V12 on Display Stand (SOLD AUGUST 2023) are available separately on individual listings.
In 1936 Atalantas innovative approach to sports car design produced arguably the most technically advanced British sports car of the era. Named after the beautiful Arcadian huntress and much revered Olympian of Greek Mythology Atalanta derived from the Greek word atalantos meaning equal in weight or un-swaying, the new motorcars effortlessly personified Atalantas tenacious qualities of speed and beauty. A thoroughbred amongst its more conservative sports car contemporaries, Atalantas advanced design, exceptional performance, handling and riding comfort quickly established a reputation for exciting sporting cars of quality and style.
Established in the 1930?s Atalanta naturally captured the charisma and style of the Art Deco era and at a time when significant advancements were being made in the field of aeronautic and automotive design. The original Atalanta design team embraced the latest engineering thinking, exploited modern lightweight materials and packaged their philosophies in a distinctive yet contemporary British sports car, creating arguably one of the most advanced thoroughbreds of the time.
Available in a variety of coachbuilt styles, yet always tailor-made for each customer, only 22 original cars were completed in period and no two cars were built to the same specification. Atalanta works teams and loyal patrons had many successes in a variety of motoring events in the years just prior to the Second World War. Versatile sporting machines in their many formats, Atalanta?s were campaigned in hill climbs, rallies, sprints, and on the track.
Sporting and concourse events ranged from Atalantas debut in the 1937 Lewes Speed Trials (Impressive: The Autocar June 1937) to a Le Mans works entry in 1938. The cars regularly appeared at Brooklands and achieved rallying success in both the 1939 Scottish Rally and the RAC Welsh Rally, where Atalanta took the manufacturers team prize. Automotive aficionados have long revered Atlantas handling and performance, beautifully packaged within elegant lines. Indeed, in more recent times a 1937 Atalanta Sports won Best of Show at the 2007 Goodwood Festival Cartier Style et Luxe. The few original 1930's cars that survive today are highly prized and rarely come onto the open market. With each being unique, they naturally command a significant premium when they do.
This Unique Motor Car and the collection of 3 Atalantas, Lincoln V12 engine and spares are available to be view by prior appointment at our premises north east of Lincoln, with good access from the A1 Road and the London to Edinburgh Mainline Railway. We displayed all 3 cars at Goodwood Revival in 2022.
Julian Brown Classic Car Commissions specialise in sales and sourcing of Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Mercedes-Benz motor cars, we will however sell or source any Motor Car or Automobilia item on your behalf with the sale of motor cars starting from 3% all in. We are privileged to offer this fine Atalanta for sale on behalf of its owner, for further information please telephone or send a message via this advert.
We also offer Secure, Dry and Discreet Indoor Car Storage 7 Miles from Lincoln City Station which is connected to London Kings Cross and St. Pancras with easy access from the A1 Road. Located on a private country estate with C. C. T. V. and Electric Gated Access we offer the perfect location for storing your motor car from 1 Week to Long Term continuous storage, your car can be laid up or exercised on lovely quiet rural Lincolnshire country lanes and looked after by ourselves, rates start from £10 per week, please contact us for further information.
More information and photographs will be added shortly.
Please see our other Motor Cars in View Stock.
Please note this Motor Car can be viewed strictly by prior appointment.
