Crazy collection of concepts from Bertone to be auctioned by RM at Villa d'Este

1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero from the Bertone Museum – Click above for high-res image gallery

You can't make an omelet, or so the saying goes, without breaking some eggs. So while it's unfortunate that the restructuring at Bertone means the dissolution of its museum collection, it also means that its contents are going up for auction. And they'll be crossing the block at no less fitting a location than Villa d'Este.

Those in the know will recognize Villa d'Este for the Concorso d'Eleganza held there every year, where the most gorgeous and rare of classic cars mingle with the finest concept cars unveiled throughout the year. This year's concours will mark the first time that RM Auctions will be holding an event at the open-air show on picturesque Lake Como, and in addition to the myriad unspeakably beautiful classics on the docket, RM has just announced the consignment of six concept cars from the Bertone Museum, each one-of-a-kind in its own right and available to collectors for the first time.

The consignment includes the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal, 1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero, 1963 Chevrolet Testudo, 1974 Lamborghini Bravo, 1980 Lamborghini Athon and 1978 Lancia Sibilo. Each was a seminal design for Bertone, and each is expected to fetch well into the six and even seven figures. The Marzal, particularly, which was driven by Prince Ranier and Princess Grace at the start of 1967 Monaco Grand Prix, and the Stratos, the first prototype for the iconic supercar rally machine of the same name, are expected to sell for between €1,000,000 and €1,800,000... that's as much as $2.5 million apiece in equivalent American funds.

Have a look at the collection (sans the Lancia Siblio, images for which are en route) in the high-resolution image gallery below, and follow the jump for the full details in the press release. Hat tip to Sea Urchin!


1967 Lamborghini Marzal
1967 Lamborghini Marzal
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[Source: RM Auctions | Images: Tom Wood/RM]
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RM PRESENTS STUNNING SELECTION OF AUTOMOBILES DIRECTLY FROM THE BERTONE MUSEUM AT ITS CONCORSO D'ELEGANZA VILLA D'ESTE SALE
  • RM Auctions presents six automobiles from the official collection of Carrozzeria Bertone at its debut sale at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, 21 May, 2011
  • Auction represents the first time the Bertone vehicles have been offered for sale on the public market
  • New consignments join an impressive roster of 30 of the world's finest automobiles slated for the exclusive RM evening sale
LONDON (30 March, 2011) - RM Auctions, the world's largest collector car auction house for quality automobiles, is pleased to announce that it has been chosen by the liquidators of the Bertone Museum to offer six motor cars and one-off design concepts from the celebrated Italian manufacturer and coachbuilder, Bertone. This stunning collection of cars is another fantastic addition to RM's eagerly awaited debut sale at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in Cernobbio, Italy, 21st May, 2011.

"RM is delighted to be aligned with the illustrious Bertone brand and truly honoured to have been selected to bring some of their most famous and extraordinary creations to the open market for the very first time. We look forward to providing our collector car expertise for the successful sale of these rolling works of art," says Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Europe.

Illustrating the craftsmanship and styling leadership of Ing. Nuccio Bertone and his firm, selected automobiles from the Bertone Collection that will feature in the upcoming RM sale include: the unconventional 1967 Lamborghini Marzal prototype, s/n 1001, driven by Prince Ranier and Princess Grace at the start of 1967 Monaco Grand Prix (Est. €1.000.000 - €1.800.000); the sensational 1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero, s/n C/1160CPL, the first prototype of the mid-engined Stratos production supercar and the hugely successful rally car (Est. €1.000.000 - €1.800.000); and, the revolutionary 1963 Chevrolet Testudo, s/n 20927w207657, sporting an amazing and totally transparent one-piece windscreen and roof cover (Est. €500.000 - €800.000).

This magnificent collection of cars is completed with a 1974 Lamborghini Bravo, s/n NS46 01, an ultra low slung car with several styling cues from the Lamborghini Countach (Est. €150.000 - €220.000); a 1980 Lamborghini Athon, s/n S155/01, featuring clean, futuristic lines (Est. €150.000 - €220.000); and, an outlandish 1978 Lancia Sibilo, s/n S 12201, unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in April 1978 (Est. €60.000 – €100.000).

"These cars represent a highly significant slice of Bertone's creative history, as well as a unique opportunity to purchase some of the best known and most influential dream cars ever built. This coupled with the fact that the upcoming auction represents the very first time that any of these six vehicles have been offered for sale on the public market, makes for a unique and very special ownership opportunity.We anticipate that they will be well received by the collector car world," adds Girardo.

The exciting roster of Bertone automobiles joins a spectacular line-up of over 30 blue-chip automobiles consigned to the exclusive RM evening sale, which forms an official part of this year's celebrated Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este weekend. With an average value per car approaching €1.000.000, the RM offering is considered one of the most spectacular collections of automobiles offered in recent auction history.

For full event details and a frequently updated car list, please visit www.rmauctions.com or call RM's London office at +44 20 7851 7070.

Event Details: RM Auctions at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este

Sale date:
21 May, 2011 8:00pm – 11:00pm CET

Preview dates:
20 May, 2011 10:00am – 6:00pm CET
21 May, 2011 10:00am – 6:00pm CET

Location:
Spazio Villa Erba,
Largo Luchino Visconti, 4
Cernobbio, Como, 22012, Italy

Admission:
Admission to the event requires the purchase of an official auction catalogue for €70. The catalogue admits two and must be presented at the entrance to the sale to be granted entry.

About RM Auctions
RM Auctions is the world's largest auction house for quality automobiles. With over three decades of experience in the collector car industry, RM's vertically integrated range of services, from restoration to private treaty sales, auctions, estate planning and financial services, coupled with an expert team of car specialists and international footprint, provide an unsurpassed level of service to the global collector car market. RM proudly holds four of the top five all-time records for the most expensive motor cars sold at auction. RM's restoration division has achieved unprecedented accolades earning "Best of Show" honours at the world's top concours events.

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