Duncan Hamilton

Duncan Hamilton shine at Masterpiece 2011

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:42:10 +0000

”The best of the best from around the world”

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.

Goodwood Festival of Speed press day

DH Team — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:35:11 +0000

Last week, we attended the Goodwood Festival of Speed press day – the first chance for the press and competitors alike to see what they would be up against.

The collection of cars on show was vast with Duncan Hamilton displaying two cars from the ROFGO collection, the GT40 and the Porsche 917. Both cars garnered much interest from the press and fellow classic car collectors, dealers and enthusiasts. A highlight for us was seeing what is probably the world’s most expensive car, the 300 SLR Coupe (W196).

This year is the 20th anniversary of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, an occasion celebrated at the press day with a fantastically large cake and we look forward to what the event itself will bring.

Duncan Hamilton sells rare 1940s Breguet electric car to the Louwman Museum

DH Team — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:15:54 +0000

Leading specialist in fine historic cars, Duncan Hamilton has recently sold a very rare 1940s Breguet electric car to the world-renown Louwman Museum in Holland. The car, discovered by Adrian Hamilton in the garage of a chateau in France, was sold as it was found, after being in the owner’s family for 64 years.

During the German occupation of France in the 1940s, French aviation manufacturer Louis Charles Breguet was forced to stop producing aircraft and as a way to keep his workforce employed he switched to building cars. As petrol at this time was strictly rationed Louis manufactured electric cars and the Berguet became the everyday people’s car.

Once transported from France to the UK the car was shown at Masterpiece in June 2012, its condition untouched, and was sold by Adrian Hamilton in March 2013 whilst attending a seminar in the US.

Nick Maton, Sales Manager at Duncan Hamilton & Co, said: “The Berguet is an extremely rare car with origins steeped in history. Adrian stumbled across the car whilst at Le Mans in 2012 and because of its heritage we chose to leave the car in the condition it was found. The Louwman Museum has a wonderful collection of vintage and historic automobiles and we feel the Berguet will fit well in this impressive and established collection.”

With its unique shape and exceptional history this car was a real find for Duncan Hamilton and will now be exhibited complete with its original interiors, motor and spare batteries.

Unique historic turbine racing car joins ROFGO collection at Duncan Hamilton

DH Team — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:53:56 +0000

Leading specialist in fine historic cars, Duncan Hamilton has taken delivery of a 1968 American sports prototype racing car, the Howmet TX. The car, which is fitted with a helicopter engine, joins the renowned ROFGO collection and is one of only two built in the world.

The engines were leased from Continental Aviation & Engineering and were prototypes from an aborted bid for a military helicopter contract. The car’s chassis was built by McKee Engineering and the financial backing and materials came from the Howmet Corporation.

The Howmet TX made its debut at the 1968 24 Hours of Daytona. It became the first and only turbine car to win a race, earning two Sports Car Club America (SCCA) race victories and two qualifying sprint victories in just one year of competition. Following its retirement, the TX went on to set six Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) land speed records for turbines.

Nick Maton, Sales Manager at Duncan Hamilton & Co, said: “The Howmet TX is a truly unique car in the history of sports racing and we are delighted to add it to the ROFGO collection. It will no doubt be of significant interest to many racing car enthusiasts and is one of the most remarkable vehicles we have taken delivery of during our 65-year history.”

The ROFGO Gulf Collection by Duncan Hamilton is the world’s most important single-theme private car collection. It comprises 28 of the most prominent sports racers and single-seaters ever to compete in the legendary Gulf livery, including the 1965 GT40 up to the present day McLaren MP4-12C GT3 – all featuring the iconic Gulf livery.

Duncan Hamilton is planning to showcase the Howmet TX at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, 11-14 July 2013.

The Howmet TX’s technical specification:
• Transmission: 1-speed (electric motor for reverse)
• Engine Capacity: Continental TS325-1, 2960 cc two-stage gas turbine mid-mounted
• Fuel: Jet A

Review of Rétromobile, Paris, 2013

DH Team — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:32:22 +0000

We visited this year’s Rétromobile event in Paris to meet with numerous collectors and enthusiasts from all over the world. The event had a real buzz and it was interesting to see what’s on sale at the moment. It gave us a great opportunity to speak with other dealers, and overall the feel of the show and the market in general is that things are faring well.

There were some fantastic cars on display – of which we have selected just a few that caught our eye. One of the highlights of the event for us was the Bugatti Type 59. This phenomenal classic was manufactured in 1933 and is one of only eight produced. Deemed as the “ultimate version of the Grand Prix Bugatti” it is arguably one of the best looking racing cars built to-date. Well we certainly think so!

Some other cars on display which stood out for us were the Cartier Unic Van which dates from 1923, the Porsche Martini, and the Mercedes Benz 300 SL. The Mercedes Benz stand at the event was quite a show-stopper with three motor racing icons built by Benz and Cie appearing at the show together for the very first time.

All in all a great start to the year!

By Nick Maton

Mirage GR8 chassis 802

DH Team — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 11:46:26 +0000

Price: £P.O.A
Transmission: Manual
Engine Capacity:3000
Fuel: Petrol

Specification

With a run of success at Le Mans in the 1970s, powered by both Ford Cosworth and Renault engines, specialist manufacturer Mirage deserves its place in sports car racing history. Chassis 802 was one of the most successful examples of the Mirage dynasty.The original Mirage M1 was effectively a reworked Ford GT40, designed and run by John Wyer and John Willment. As Ford reduced its commitment to sports car racing, John Wyer Automotive grew out of the former Ford Advanced Vehicles operation in Slough and the team became synonymous with sports-racing cars in the striking orange and blue livery of the Gulf Oil Corporation.The early cars were successful with Ford engines, but the CSI (forerunner to the FIA) changed the technical regulations so often that it was hard for constructors to plan ahead. Gulf joined the project to sponsor the cars in 1967, but the company’s involvement really stepped up a gear in 1974 when the cars became known as Gulf Mirages.For the 1975 season, and a race programme centred on the Le Mans 24-Hours, the GR8 was constructed as an open-top sports-racer powered by the ubiquitous Ford Cosworth DFV engine. Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell claimed victory, while chassis 802 took third place in the hands of Vern Schuppan and Jean-Pierre Jaussaud. However, Gulf withdrew its support after the 24-hour race and the cars didn’t compete again that year.After Gulf’s departure, American entrepreneur and former racer Harley Cluxton III bought the team and its assets and continued to run the cars at Le Mans and occasional other events. Jean-Louis Lafosse and Francois Migault took chassis 802 to second at Le Mans in 1976 and then Schuppan drove the car, under the Grand Touring Cars (USA) banner, to fifth place in the Mosport 200, the Canadian round of the World Sportscar Championship.Cluxton was only really interested in the Le Mans race, and the lack of extra race mileage in other events held back the development of the car. However, second place in 1977 was a great effort for Schuppan and Jean-Pierre Jarier. Chassis 802 was now powered by a 2-litre V6 Renault turbo engine and ran in the colours of Gitanes and Renault.By 1978, the car had developed new bodywork and was badged as a Mirage M9. The Grand Touring Cars (USA)-entered chassis 802 finished 10th at Le Mans driven by Schuppan, Jacques Laffite and Sam Posey. A year later, now designated as a Mirage M10, the car’s fifth attempt at Le Mans featured a return to Cosworth DFV power. It qualified well in fifth place, but was not classified as a finisher in the hands of Schuppan, Jaussaud and David Hobbs.
That was the end of the Mirage story at Le Mans, but it was a story in which chassis 802 played a major part, with three podium finishes in five starts. Importantly, Mirage remains one of only two specialist race car constructors to win at Le Mans, a race dominated by motor manufacturers for 90 years.

For further information
or to arrange a viewing please call

Tel: 01256 765000

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Chris Evans on Touch Wood

admin — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 10:14:16 +0000

Chris Evans recently purchased a car from us here at Duncan Hamilton and picked up a copy of Touch Wood.
Here is what he had to say…

Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Series 1.1/2 Roadster

DH Team — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:05:05 +0000

Price: £ P.O.A
Transmission:Manual
Engine Capacity:4200
Fuel:Petrol

Specification

Duncan Hamilton are delighted to offer this stunning Jaguar E Type 4.2.This car was built in 1967 with the 4.2 engine and was known as a series ‘one and a half’ Roadster and it came with open headlights. These were rare cars even then because they were made only in limited numbers at the end of Series 1 production while Jaguar awaited the arrival of the new Series II in 1969. They are now known to be the rarest E-Types of all with only 2,801 produced in total for both the domestic and export market. This car was built for export to the USA as a left hand drive version finished in Midnight Blue with blue leather upholstery, black hood, blue carpets and a manual gearbox.
It has only recently been imported to the UK and is presented in excellent condition today throughout. There are import and title documents with the car confirming that it was was imported from the sunny climes of Florida and also some original documentation (and even the original radio for the car when it was new in the USA). It was first registered in the States in April 1967. Clearly the beneficiary of a reasonably recent restoration (although there is no paperwork to confirm exactly when) the car sits well on it’s on chrome wire wheels and also drives extremely well, as most 4.2′s do.
Sensibly guided, this is a rare and special E-Type that seems to offer value for money in the market place with plenty of room for enjoyment from both driving and as a potential long term investment. One thing is certain and that is they won’t be making any more…..!

For further information
or to arrange a viewing please call

Tel: 01256 765000

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1965 Lola T70,MkI Chassis No.SL70/3

DH Team — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:58:14 +0000

Price: £P.O.A
Transmission: Manual
Engine Capacity:5700
Fuel: Petrol

Specification

Following a recent and extensive restoration by the ROFGO Collection team of engineers, we are delighted to re-offer chassis number SL70/3. The car was supplied new to the USA for John Cannon and ran in the Sebring 12 Hours in 1965 and many other prominent Can-Am races with notable success. Also driven by the legendary Walt Hansgen, the T70 is naturally eligible for the Goodwood Revival Meeting as well as the European Classic Endurance Racing series.A seriously iconic mid-60’s sports racing car with an excellent period and current competition history.POA

For further information
or to arrange a viewing please call

Tel: 01256 765000

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PORSCHE CARRERA GT 5733 cc

DH Team — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:39:03 +0000

Price: £309,995
Transmission: Manual
Engine Capacity:5733
Fuel: Petrol

Specification

2 Doors, Manual, Convertible, Petrol, 2006 06 Reg, 4000 miles, White. Stunning car in every respect, Finished in white with black wheels. Just had service. Armoured guarded on the front end so protected from stone chips. Full black leather with red contrast stitching. Build number 1133 out of 1270 Powered by a 5.7 litre V10 engine producing 612 hp 0 to 62 in 3.5 seconds and sounds like Heaven! Alarm, ABS, Alloy wheels, Anti theft system, CD, CD Multichanger, Climate Control, Computer, Driver airbag, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Full Service History, Leather upholstery, Limited slip differential, Locking wheel nuts, Passenger airbag, Radio, Side airbags, Spoiler, Traction control, Steering wheel reach adjustment.

For further information
or to arrange a viewing please call

Tel: 01256 765000

Duncan Hamilton

Duncan Hamilton shine at Masterpiece 2011

”The best of the best from around the world”

Goodwood Festival of Speed press day

Duncan Hamilton sells rare 1940s Breguet electric car to the Louwman Museum

Unique historic turbine racing car joins ROFGO collection at Duncan Hamilton

Review of Rétromobile, Paris, 2013

Mirage GR8 chassis 802

Specification

For further information or to arrange a viewing please call

EMAIL ENQUIRY | EMAIL A FRIEND | PRINT DETAILS

Chris Evans on Touch Wood

Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Series 1.1/2 Roadster

Specification

For further information or to arrange a viewing please call

EMAIL ENQUIRY | EMAIL A FRIEND | PRINT DETAILS

1965 Lola T70,MkI Chassis No.SL70/3

Specification

For further information or to arrange a viewing please call

EMAIL ENQUIRY | EMAIL A FRIEND | PRINT DETAILS

PORSCHE CARRERA GT 5733 cc

Specification

For further information or to arrange a viewing please call

EMAIL ENQUIRY | EMAIL A FRIEND | PRINT DETAILS

For further information
or to arrange a viewing please call

For further information
or to arrange a viewing please call

For further information
or to arrange a viewing please call

For further information
or to arrange a viewing please call