Lot Ended
Description
Amendment - more details and photos - Stunning RLS with Targa Florio
coachwork; FIVA ID card; restored by Neil Twyman; Hall & Hall engine rebuild
less than 1,000 miles ago; well-known car with recent International Rally
history; a usable and multi-discipline car to use in a wide
range of International events
There
was good reason why Henry Ford once observed 'Every time I see an Alfa
Romeo pass by, I raise my hat'. Such was their engineering quality, style, fit
and finish, not to mention their success in International competition,
that for decades, Alfa Romeo sat at the top of the motoring
firmament.
Their first car, the 24 HP of just over four-litres soon
acquitted itself as a sporting machine, surprising onlookers at the 1911
Targa Florio and setting the scene for what was to come. A smaller 12 HP with 2
1/2-litres soon entered production, continuing Alfa's winning streak. Their
40-60 model of 1912 was six-litres of pure sportscar with various unique
built-to formula racing cars also manufactured during the
period.
Common to all was the way they drove, the engineering
sophistication and their winning ways. No surprise then, when a three-litre
formula was put forward for the 1921 season, Alfa Romeo (Nicola Romeo having
added his name to the company by this time) were ready with a new dry-sump
six-cylinder ohv engine for their new RL series.
Despite a
reduction in capacity for the 1922 GP formula, the three-litre RL
series engine had proven itself so robust and reliable that full-scale
production was started. Also known as the 22-90, some 2,640 were made in all
types before production ceased in late 1927. According to Luigi Fussi's
definitive work, not more than a baker's dozen have survived
worldwide.
The RL Sport was made for the first 5 series between 1922
and 1925, a broadly similar but re-named RL Super Sports continuing until the RL
was dropped - the immortal Jano-designed small-capacity 6Cs making their debut
in 1927.
This 3rd Series RLS, chassis number 7668 has been verified by
both Angela Cherret of the Alfa Register and Marco Fazio in Milan and
was loosely assembled during the 1980s from parts accumulated. We are
indebted to its progenitor who has confirmed the chassis as an exact copy of a
genuine TF frame and its correct 3-litre engine and gearbox have been upgraded
to twin-carburettor S-type form including a dry sump – engine number
7668.
The car was delivered to restoration
expert Neil Twyman to undertake what was to be a long-term restoration, bringing
all aspects up to the full 1924 Targa Florio spec. including the glorious
V-shape radiator. It changed hands during this period, invoices on file from
Twyman outlining well over £100,000 of work, alongside multiple others from a
range of suppliers.
By
2007 it was fully ready, joining the Goodwood FOS press day, shortly after
finding a new owner in David Bridges who displayed it at Salon Prive in 2008.
The car sat in his private collection until 2015 when our vendor acquired it and
put it to good use.
In 2015 and 2016, Hall and Hall gave the car a good
going-over, including a complete engine strip post the Goodwood Members Meeting.
Everything was cleaned and checked, the cam reground and big ends and main
bearings checked for condition. They crack tested all moving parts, faced the
block and measured the valve spring pressures among numerous other jobs - bills
totalling more than £18,000. The invoices are shown in the photos
attached.
It
is currently sitting on a set of Blockley tyres – a set of four barely used
Dunlop road tyres are included, along with a yet to be fitted set of undertrays
copied from a well-known TF.
A multiple entrant in the SF Edge Trophy
Race at the Goodwood Members Meeting, it has also entertained in
various International events including La Leggenda di Bassano Rally in
Italy in 2019, Hampton Court Concours and Salon Prive - winning best open
top sports in 2019.
On offer due to a change of
direction by the owner, it has proved both extremely reliable and exciting, its
FIVA identity card giving it International appeal and access to a multitude of
events.
On the button and ready for action, it comes with a set of cycle
wings (not currently fitted) and is equally at home on the road or
track.
The car is located at our offices in Leominster, Herefordshire and
is available for viewing by appointment.
Once you have made your
bid and planned your first outing in the car, you might like to consider this
offering in our forthcoming sale that completes on 13th September.....an ideal
tender vehicle to the RLS - it would look most appropriate...
https://www.brightwells.com/timed-sale/5374/lot/647252?returnUrl=%2ftimed-sale%2f5374%3fpageSize%3dAll
Contact
- matthew.parkin@brightwells.com
•
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tips on bidding in this auction can be found in our Guide To Timed
Auctions https://www.brightwells.com/guide-to-bidding-in-a-timed-auction/
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