It’s a car collector’s wet dream: two legendary 1950s Aston Martins, both finished in iconic British racing green, are being offered for sale this season. The first is the ultra-rare 1954 DB3S (above) which played a starring role in Checkpoint, one of the most famous motor racing films of the Fifties, centered on the Mille Miglia. Today it’s arguably the most original surviving production DB3S and a world-class four-wheeled work of art. In ’53, the first year of works competition, the DB3S won every race it entered except the Le Mans 24 Hours.
London’s Post Vintage has not quoted a price for the car but if you have to ask…. Meanwhile at Bonhams’ Aston Martin auction in Newport Pagnell on May 22 the starring lot is sure to be the famed VMF 65 – the ex-Works 1950 Aston Martin DB2 Team Car raced by such legendary drivers as Stirling Moss, Peter Collins and Roy Salvadori. Built to race in that year’s Le Mans, it never made it to the track having suffered an accident en route, but went on to claim many more victories. It carries an estimate of £380,000 - £440,000, or topping out at almost $700,000 for those keeping score at home.
David Albert Charles Armstrong-Jones, son of Princess Margaret and Earl Snowdon and better known as Viscount Linley, is that rare bird – a Royal who works for a living. Having set up in trade some years ago as a bespoke furniture maker he has now branched out into all sorts of clever little cabinets, humidors and other handsome geegaws executed with first-rate craftsmanship and an admirable elegant restraint. Of course being a blue blooded English gentleman he knows a thing or two about proper recreational requirements, as evidenced by one of his latest creations, the Linley Shooting Companion case in the fine portable bar tradition.
This essential bit of kit for any sporting gent who does not aim to go without the requisites of spirits and smokes for the duration of the hunt is priced at about $5,600. It is constructed of oiled walnut with saddle leather handles and an inlaid engravable, hallmarked sterling silver plaque. The case contains two lead crystal decanters with sterling silver plaques laid onto square rosewood stoppers, a cigar cutter and a walnut box to hold eight Corona No. 5’s. A removable walnut rack walnut holds eight pewter tumblers, numbered 1 to 8 to reference shooting pegs. Throw it in the back of the Range Rover and Bob’s your uncle.
© Copyright 2010 Duncan Quinn. All Rights Reserved.
In a stunning upset, the USA Croquet Team recently defeated Great Britain to capture the Solomon Trophy for the first time in the event’s 18-year history. With a close score of 11-9 the Solomon Trophy Test Match held at the Mission Hills Country Club in Palm Springs was a real nailbiter. The Test Match is played as the best out of 21 matches, with each match consisting of the best-of-three games. Twelve single matches and nine double matches are played, and the team that wins eleven of them emerges triumphant. Until now the Yanks have been soundly thrashed every year.
The competition began in 1985 when the USA played Great Britain in England. Since then the two countries’ top croquet players have competed for the prestigious prize, alternating play between England and the U.S. The Solomon Trophy will now remain in the States until the next Test Match is contested in England in 2011. Starring for the Yanks was the gloriously muttonchopped Jerry Stark, winner of five national titles and an inductee into the American Croquet Hall of Fame. Well played, fellows. Stop in next time you’re in town Mr. Stark and we’ll be glad to fit you for a DQ croquet shirt.
London-based TMB Artmetal, makers of “provenance” items fashioned from actual bits of automotive, aeronautic, locomotive and maritime icons whose Spitfire sculpture we wrote about a few months back, has come out with limited edition cufflinks made from the Prince of Wales’ prized 1970 Aston Martin DB6 Volante. TMB has created 200 pairs of the links in two designs, formed from the original aluminum engine pistons which were removed when the Prince recently converted the car, a 21st birthday present from the Queen, to run on biofuel.
Each design finished with 18ct gold comes in a limited edition of 100 pairs. One edition is an exact, miniature sculpture of the DB6 Volante, whilst the other replicates the car’s iconic wheel spinners – the quick-release fixing that secures the Aston’s wheels. Each pair comes accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and is priced at £995 or about $1,600, with all profits going to the royal’s youth charity, The Prince’s Trust. Charles has been on an eco-kick of late, and has also converted his Jaguars, Audi and Range Rovers to run on 100 per cent biodiesel.
