Purebred Competition Cars head to Auction: Jaguar D-Type joins Aston Martin-Campaigned DB3S Special

230623 1955 Jaguar D-Type - Corey Escobar ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s [678] copy

A pair of spectacular British competition cars, a 1955 Jaguar D-Type and a 1956 Aston Martin DB3S Special, add to the already impressive sporting lineup set to cross the block in Monterey, California, 17 – 19 August 2023

  • Benefitting from 21 years under the current ownership, this 1955 Jaguar D-Type (XKD 546) comes fully documented and is a stunning example of originality, offered with the original front and rear body elements, appealing to buyers looking to steward a legendary model in a more original state
  • Hailing from its current home where it has resided for the last 26 years, this 1956 Aston Martin DB3S Special (131DB135) was factory-campaigned in-period by Works driver Reg Parnell in the Tasmanian Series and benefits from a comprehensive restoration fastidiously undertaken by the consignor from 1997 through to 2006
  • To view all previously released RM Sotheby’s offerings for Monterey 2023, please click here

BLENHEIM, ONTARIO, CANADA – June 23, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – RM Sotheby’s continues to expand its Monterey lineup with the announcement of two significant British competition cars, both hailing from long-term ownership. These spectacular competition cars are set to cross the auction block during the company’s flagship Monterey auction, 17 – 19 August 2023.

1955 Jaguar D-Type – Engineered specifically to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, few sports cars are as universally celebrated as the legendary Jaguar D-Type. This example, chassis XKD 546, is one of 54 production examples built, and it boasts period racing history in the Southeastern United States. Restored by marque specialists during the 1990s, it is currently offered from a private collection of which it has been a part of for the last 21 years. Wearing the handsome color combination of British Green over black, chassis XKD 546 is a beautiful example of Coventry’s three-time Le Mans-winning model (Estimate: $4,500,000 – $5,500,000).

230623 1956 Aston Martin DB3S Special - Corey Escobar ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

1956 Aston Martin DB3S Special – Built by the factory as a monoposto racecar on an unnumbered DB3S chassis, Development Project 155 or DP155, as it is commonly known, was entrusted to Works driver Reg Parnell and Factory-campaigned in the Tasmanian Series in New Zealand during early 1956. After an initial ownership of racing use in the UK, the car’s monoposoto bodywork was removed in 1957 in favor of an original DB3S two-seater body sourced from one of the twenty customer cars. Comprehensively restored by the consignor from 1997 to 2006, this DB3S Special benefits from meticulous care during 26 years of current ownership and has been exhibited at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance as well as campaigned at the Monterey Historics and the Colorado Grand (Estimate: $1,750,000 – $2,250,000).

Additional competition consignments crossing the block in Monterey include:

  • 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra (CSX 3259) formerly owned by British Touring Car Champion Frank Sytner and cosmetically restored by Mike McCluskey (Estimate: $1,200,000 – $1,400,000).
  • 1971 Lola T222 Chevrolet Can-Am believed to be one of eight examples of the T222 produced; it was sold new by legendary US Lola distributor Carl Haas to SCCA veteran David Causey, who would enter the car in six races in the 1971 Can-Am season (Estimate: $400,000 – $500,000).

Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions, RM Sotheby’s, says, “These remarkable additions join an already incredible mix of cars, including Steve McQueen’s legendary Ferrari and a remarkable ‘barn find collection of Ferraris, further heightening the anticipation for our 2023 Monterey auction. RM Sotheby’s and our worldwide network of specialists are always committed to sourcing significant automobiles and curating an extraordinary collection for offering, exemplified by these meticulously chosen racing cars. Both the Jaguar D-Type and Aston Martin DB3S Special are iconic British racing machines purpose-built by their manufacturers to dominate the track and secure victories. Stay tuned for more exciting news and announcements about our Monterey auction as we reveal further highlights in the weeks to come.”

Previously Announced Consignments:

Lost & Found – The ultimate “Barn Find” collection featuring 20 Ferraris lost to time.

The 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 by Scaglietti – Formerly owned by the King of Cool, Steve McQueen.

A selection of 14 highly original and historically significant classics From The Terence E. Adderley Collection.

For all current Monterey 2023 consignments, click here.

For previous Monterey 2023 press releases, click here.  

FOR MORE NEWS FROM RM SOTHEBY’S: #RMSothebys #RMMonterey

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RM Sotheby’s is the world’s largest collector car auction house by total sales. With over 40 years of proven results in the collector car industry, RM’s vertically integrated range of services, from auctions (live and online) and private sales to estate planning and financial services, coupled with an expert team of Car Specialists and an international footprint, provide an unsurpassed level of service to the global collector car market. RM Sotheby’s is currently responsible for seven of the top ten most valuable motor cars ever sold at auction.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

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