Preview: Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale, September 18

This will be one of the strongest line ups at Goodwood for some time and, crucially, they have been consigned at saleable and realistic levels

Leading the charge is the ex-Fred Stiles 1930 model/1938-assembled Alfa Romeo 6C-1750 Testa Fissa, the so-called Stiles Threesome Spider with bodywork by the leading British coachbuilder, James Young Ltd. Originally only twelve of these ‘Testa Fissa’ powered cars were manufactured, of which three were dispatched to England and the British Alfa Romeo Concessionaire FW Stiles to compete in the 1930 RAC Tourist Trophy race at Ards, Northern Ireland where they came first, second and third.

Having survived the Second World War, this car fell into some disrepair, discovered by its long-term owner and current vendor in 1962 in a sorry state with its damaged engine, which had a seemingly irreparable split bore. He bought both the car and broken engine for £100. A chance meeting with the celebrated Luigi Fusi of Alfa Romeo meant that the engine could be repaired by the factory, in return for a copy being created for the company’s museum in Arese, Italy. Despite being well used, the car has been equally well maintained over the past fifty years. Eminently useable today, and indicative of the cachet and charisma associated with the supercharged Alfa Romeo, this rare car has attracted a pre-sale estimate of £450,000-550,000.

Joining the Alfa Romeo is a rare 1966 Aston Martin DBSC Coupé. One of only two models that were ever produced, this particular example – the only right hand drive – was thought to have been loaned to iconic 1960s model Twiggy Lawson when it was first launched, having previously shown at the 1966 Paris Motor Show. Since then, it has been kept in storage for many years. With its left-hand drive counterpart ensconced within a long-term private collection, this represents the only opportunity for a collector to acquire one of these rare, somewhat mythical and relatively little-known motor cars. The car is estimated at £250,000-300,000.

Meanwhile, fans of The Beatles will also be able to get their hands on a 2008 replica of a customised Mini Cooper S given to George Harrison by legendary manager Brian Epstein. All proceeds from the sale of this lot – which is to be sold at No Reserve – will directly benefit the star’s Material World Charitable Foundation, which he founded in 1973.

Other highlights of the Goodwood Revival sale include a 1925 Bentley 3/4.5 Tourer (estimated between £140,000-170,000), a CitroΫn DS 21 Drophead (£110,000-130,000), a 1973 Porsche 911 RS Touring (£80,000-100,000), an Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 (£70,000-80,000) and a Frazer Nash TT Replica (£60,000-80,000).

More unusually, a 1952 Leyland Royal Tiger 31-Seat Plaxton Venturer Coach will also be included in the sale, and has been given a pre-sale estimate of £50,000-60,000. And the sky’s the limit for the successful bidder for the Piper Cub Aircraft which is expected to achieve between £20,000-25,000.

James Knight, Group Head of Bonhams Motoring Department said: 'We are in a privileged position to have consigned so many fabulous cars to this sale – the car mentioned here only represent a fraction consigned to date. Although we are still open for entries, we are nearly full and only have a few places left. This will be one of the strongest line ups at Goodwood for some time and, crucially, they have been consigned at saleable and realistic levels.'