During the first six days of July we had a major presence at Masterpiece 2011. The second year of this astonishing annual fair brought together the very best examples of fine art, antiquities, clocks, jewellery etc from around the world, that were displayed to perfection in the stunning environment of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. Collectors came in droves to inspect the exhibits on sale, attend related presentations and enjoy enticing refreshments that ranged from a classic Bellini at Harry’s Bar to lunch or dinner courtesy of Le Caprice.

The two works of art we chose to display were a pair of Ferraris – a very original 1964 250 LM of most impressive provenance and one of very few remaining 330 Americas. We consider our attendance to have been a great success and will certainly be looking to return to the event next year. Our two cars were greatly appreciated by the discerning attendees and we took numerous sales leads as a result of being able to display our wares in such a high quality environment.

There were more than twelve hours of racing, a GTE-Am class lead and no mechanical issues with the Aston Martin Vantage, but the dream of a successful finish in the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans for the Gulf Aston Martin team ended early and in a dramatic fashion.

An accident at the Porsche Curves at just after 0330 hrs, while British driver Mike Wainwright was at the wheel for the second hour of his night time double stint, resulted in the retirement of the No. 60 entry. Wainwright was taken to the local Le Mans hospital for full medical checks and has been diagnosed with a broken rib. He will be returning home later today.

With engine-related issues having prevented the Gulf Aston Martin Middle East team from taking the start of both the previous rounds of the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, the team was delighted with opening hours of the French classic. Not only did Fabien Giroix race the Gulf Oil International-liveried GT car very competitively for over 2.5 hours against the other nine entries in the GTE-Am class, he also led the class and – backed up very competently by Mike Wainwright in his first two-hour stint – was rarely out of contention in the first quarter of the race.

New and aggressive rumble strips, designed to keep cars off the kerbs at Tertre Rouge, the Dunlop curves and Ford Chicanes, claimed the No. 60 as a victim (one of many) while taking avoiding action of another car, but unfortunately this meant that the front splitter was damaged. Roald Goethe was forced to bring the Aston Martin in for a long stop as the carbon fibre part had to be replaced. The team lost its position of dominance but was running consistently as hour thirteen ticked over and cooler, more uncertain track conditions greeted the drivers.

The Aston Martin Vantage was officially retired at 0400 hrs, but the dream is surely one to be fulfilled at a later stage.

The Dubois Cup will take place this year on June 4th, 5th & 6th and is once again hosted by and organised in conjunction with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porte Cervo, Sardinia. This wonderful location offers ideal sailing conditions, an archipelago with abundant wind, sunshine and racing areas.

This exciting regatta brings together many Dubois-designed yachts, owners, crew, industry associates and media alike. There are currently eight yachts confirmed for participation, and included in the line up are three of Dubois prominent launches from the last year, Kokomo (58.4m), Twizzle (57.5m) and Zefira (49.7m).

Further event details can be found on the Dubois Cup website: www.duboiscup.com

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For the last two years, we’ve been keeping possibly the biggest secret in the company’s 63 year history. Now, at long last, we can tell the world what we’ve been up to, and are pretty sure you’ll approve – enter the stunning ROFGO Gulf Collection by Duncan Hamilton.

The collection currently comprises no less than 14 of the most prominent cars ever to race in the iconic Gulf livery, and was assembled to satisfy the passion and vision of one of our private clients. The cars range in age from 1967 to 2010 and have been hand picked from all over the world. Far from gathering dust out of the enthusiast’s reach, they were unveiled to great acclaim at last week’s Retromobile exhibition in Paris and will be regularly visible at shows and race meeting here and abroad. They will also be added to as time goes by.

In 45 years handling the purchase and sale of some of the world’s finest historic road and competition cars, some remarkable vehicles have passed through my hands, not least: the one and only Mercedes-Benz 196 Grand Prix car in private hands, some nine Ferrari 250 GTOs, 20 GT40s, seven Porsche 917s and numerous Jaguar C and D-Types. However, few projects have been as enjoyable and satisfying as this one. Like all racing enthusiasts, I’ve grown up with the Gulf brand and it has been a tremendous privilege to be able to build such a unique and lasting tribute to one of the greatest names in the sport. I am extremely indebted to my client for the opportunity and to those of you who’ve assisted in the collection’s creation so far.

For the record, the unrivalled line-up of cars currently comprises:
1967 Mirage; 1968 Ford GT40; 1969 Brabham BT26; 1970 McLaren M14; 1971 Porsche 917; 1970 Porsche 908/3; 1972 McLaren M20; 1974 Mirage; 1994 Kremer K8; 1996 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail; 2006 Courage C65 LMP2; 2008 Aston Martin DBR9; 2009 Aston Martin LMP1; 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo.

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The racing career of Duncan Hamilton.

With a car dealing, Le Mans-winning raconteur for a father, Adrian Hamilton’s choice of career was given. Not that he ever wanted to do anything else: “I’ve been a very lucky in that my hobby is also my profession and I have my father’s name to trade off: it lends more credibility than ‘Wheelspin Motors’, doesnt it?”

Well, yes. Located in a haven of tranquility in rural Hampshire – “We’ve been here for about 12 years. I love having a view of ducks quacking in a pond rather than buses going past the window” – Duncan Hamilton Limited has long been at the centre of the mega-money historic car world: “The business was started by my father, Duncan, in 1948,” he recalls. “It was then based in Byfleet. During the 50′s he was racing hard and fast all throughout the world, becoming a works driver for Jaguar and Ferrari. Many of his exploits will be familar to anyone who’s ever read his [highly entertaining] autobiography, Touch Wood. And all of the stories therein were absolutely true, of course!”

Recovering from a prolonged giggle, he continues: “I joined the firm in 1966 after 18 months in the merchant navy. I came ashore and a job as cleaner/driver at the Bagshot office and moved on from there. I got involved in racing myself for a while in the late 60′s and early 70′s running Ford Escorts for John Hine and Mike Hailwood. I also completed, just fun clubbie stuff, in a GT40.” That and the most improbable competition tool yet to grace a circuit: a Mercedez-Benz 600, the ürban-barge more commonly seen chauffeuring despots in third-world dictatorships in old newsreels. “It was my father’s. I borroweded the car for the weekend and entered it in the saloon car race at Thruxton.” Without telling him. “The brakes didnt last long, but then it did weigh about three tonnes”.

“Since then, I’ve concentrated on running the business and making people’s dreams come true.” And if your dreams are backed up by extreme wealth, and you have a hankering for the ostensibly unattainable, then Hamilton’s the man to speak to. “Our stock is always changing, but we keep quiet about alot of stuff that makes the really big money: chances are the really rare kit won’t be advertised in magazines or on our website. And I can lay claim to selling the most expensive car ever: a Mercedes-Benz W196 grand prix car.” How much did it go for? ” Hmm, that information is probably a bit sensitive.” Pause. Lets just say that it was sufficient on the day. We’ve also sold seven Ferrari 250GTOs – at on point I thought I about changing our name to 250GTOs R US – probably the same number of Porsche 917s, 18 GT40s and god knows how many D-types.

“We found one, an ex-Ecurie Ecosse car, in a North Manchester lock-up about 20 years ago. We were contacted by the deceased owners cousin who’d been offered £100,000 for it. We paid a bit more, but sold it for profit. Thats what its all about, after all. I’m really pleased that Dick Skipworth gets so much enjoyment from that car all these years later.” Warming to the thrill-of-the-chase theme, he adds: “We also discovered an early Ferrari GP car in a cowshed in the Midlands around the same time, but I imagine that there is’nt that much left to find. Most of the really special cars are well known.”

His enthusiasm undimmed after 40 years in the trade, Hamilton is nonetheless not above diversification, other interests ranging from selling the odd helicopter and steam engine to a highly detailed website (www.wifesgone.com) “for when the other half’s left you for the milkman and you need to learn how to cook or get counselling or whatever. “

Not that there’s any danger of him cashing in and leaving the primary business behind. With recent stock including the ex-Jim Clark/Henry Taylor D-type and a Ferrari 246 Dino reconstruction (which will be raced at the Goodwood Revival by Patrick Tambay later this year) amongs others, one car that will not be leaving Hampshire in a hurry is the C-type driven to ’53 Le Mans honours by Hamilton père and Tony Rolt. “I’ve had the Jaguar for 24 years. It took me three years of chipping away at Briggs Cunningham before he agreed to sell it to me. I love the car and abviously there’s a sentimental link. It’s provided me with a wonderful entreé into so many events and I’ve met alot of people because of it. And thats what I love about old cars.”