Fit for a king
Kicking off this week’s Market Finds is this truly stunning 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Vignale. However, as the bespoke bodywork might suggest, this isn’t just any old Aston. In fact, it was commissioned by King Baudouin of Belgium and expertly formed by Italian coachbuilder, Vignale. Of the already scarce 1200 DB2s made, just 12 were delivered in period to coachbuilders in Italy and Switzerland, of which Vignale in Turin received two, so it’s safe to say this Aston is pretty rare! This DB2/4 Vignale retains its original Vignale aluminium panels, chassis, suspension, bumpers, grille, light clusters and much of its superb original detailing. Recently fastidiously restored by Aston Workshop and resprayed in its original shade of Peacock Blue, this truly is a ride fit for a King.
What in the world?
Don’t worry, when we first saw this 2008 Spada Codatronca TS, we were just as confused as you probably are right now. Looking like a new Stratos that had a rough journey through a black hole, this Spada is actually based on a heavily modified chassis and engine from a Corvette C6 and was intended to draw design inspiration from the Alfa Romeo TZ. While we can’t quite see the resemblance, it’s hard to argue with the Codatronca TS’ 7-litre LS7 V8 engine, which puts out a very healthy 630hp. With carbon fibre bodywork and an aluminium chassis, the Codatronca TS doesn’t have a whole lot of mass for all that power to shunt, and as such it can reportedly reach 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds and blast up to a top speed of 211 mph! We probably wouldn’t be brave enough to put that to the test, but if you’ve got a full head of hair on your pectorals then this is just the car for you.
The definition of beauty
We all know the story of how Enzo Ferrari said the E-Type is the most beautiful car ever made, but clearly he hadn’t seen a Toyota 2000 GT, which is indisputably the most spectacular looking automobile ever to grace our unworthy roads. Just look at this thing, how on Earth do you build something like the Prius when this is in your back catalogue? This 1967 Toyota 2000 GT isn’t just any 2000 GT either, being the first of just 3 cars prepped by Carroll Shelby himself for the 1968 SCCA Championship and the first 2000 GT ever built. This immensely significant and supremely beautiful work of art is estimated to fetch between 2.75 and 3.5 million dollars at the Amelia Island Concours in March, so if you want it you better start figuring out which of your organs you could live without.
Targa at my heartstrings
We told you this week would be a doozy. The fourth car on this week’s list, a 1970 Porsche 911 2.2S Targa from Rock 'n Roll classics, is just as desirable as the rest, bar that 2000 GT of course. With under 2000 miles on the clock since being fully restored, this Albert Blue beauty is basically brand new, and the condition is clearly reflective of that. With the sought-after 180hp engine and a houndstooth interior, we’re struggling to think of a more perfect chariot to enjoy the summer months in this year. And, being a Targa, when the cold begins to creep back in Autumn you’ll be able to continue driving it deep into Winter. We wouldn’t change a single thing about this 911, other than the fact it doesn’t belong to us.
Fastest thing on the outer rim
While a modern F1 car would probably lap this 1934 Bentley 3 Litre more than once before it had even seen the start/finish line, there’s something about the 1930’s interpretation of pure speed that really makes this thing look like a bullet, and back in its day it was. Built for the Ex-Chairman of Bentley Motors, Woolf Barnato, by the legendary Bentley Engineer, Wally Hassan, this racer was built with one purpose in mind: to take the outer circuit lap record at Brooklands. Which, in September 1938, it did, with an average speed of 143.6 mph. Just imagine doing that on a banked circuit in a car that looks like a blue bathtub! This fantastic piece of history is available POA with Vintage Bentley, and comes with its original chassis and 8-litre engine, along with its later 2-seat body.
