Rare James Martin-owned Alfa Romeo among headline consignments at prestigious new auction event

An extremely rare and beautifully coachbuilt Alfa Romeo owned by renowned car enthusiast and TV chef James Martin is set to be one of the standout attractions at RM Sotheby’s highly anticipated Woodcote Park Auction.

The prestigious sale of significant collector automobiles adds an exciting new dimension to the award-winning Royal Automobile Club Concours, taking place at Woodcote Park on Wednesday 8 July.

Martin’s exquisite handcrafted 1976 Alfa Romeo Sports Coupé is among the rarest Italian coachbuilt cars in existence and has been the subject of a meticulous and deeply personal six-year restoration programme.

This exceptional retro-inspired masterpiece is believed to be one of just eight examples built by the revered Italian coachbuilder Autotecnica del Lario (ATL), with each car featuring its own unique design details and distinguishing characteristics.

Based in Lombardy, originally near the shores of Lake Como, ATL earned a reputation for creating beautiful automobiles in extraordinarily limited numbers. As a result, these often bespoke automotive treasures rarely come to market.

The ATL Sports Coupé’s handcrafted aluminium coachwork pays homage to the legendary racing berlinettas of the 1950s and is constructed over a Superleggera-style tubular steel ‘birdcage’ chassis. Power comes from Alfa Romeo’s celebrated 2.0-litre twin-cam engine, producing more than 100 of the finest Italian horsepower. Combined with a kerb weight of less than 800kg, the result is an agile, engaging and highly rewarding driving experience.

“It sounds fantastic and is a great car to drive,” said Martin, who has overseen the complete restoration since acquiring the car in 2018. “It’s been a challenge because we did it properly, with total attention to detail. Everything that needed replacing had to be tailor-made for this car. It holds a very special place in my heart.”

RM Sotheby’s estimates the exquisite Alfa Romeo will sell for between £250,000 and £350,000, although Martin believes it looks as though it is worth three times that valuation!

The RM Sotheby’s Woodcote Park Auction will also feature a carefully curated selection of significant collector cars, including both road and racing icons from some of the world’s most celebrated marques. Aston Martin, Ferrari, Frazer Nash, McLaren and Porsche are all well represented among the consignments. A full roster of entries can be found on the RM Sotheby’s website.

The sale is open to registered bidders, consignors and invited media. Viewing will take place between 10am and 2pm, ahead of the auction itself, which commences at 3pm.

The RM Sotheby’s Woodcote Park Auction runs alongside the second staging of the Royal Automobile Club Concours. The competitive event will feature approximately 70 outstanding automobiles, judged by a panel of leading experts across seven prestigious concours categories, culminating in the selection of an overall winner.

In addition to the concours entries, special feature displays will help bring the total number of vehicles on show to more than 200. Rare and eclectic cars will be spread across the rolling greens of Woodcote Park, accompanied by special anniversary tributes, fascinating engines, historic motorcycles and some of today’s most desirable supercars.

With live music, exceptional food and chilled champagne, the event promises a memorable and unique day out for motoring enthusiasts.

Tickets are available to all members of the Royal Automobile Club. Woodcote Park will also welcome members of invited car clubs and motoring organisations, particularly those aligned with the selected concours categories and special feature displays.

Members of invited clubs and organisations have received a unique access code enabling them to purchase advance tickets. A full hospitality package is also available for guests seeking an enhanced event experience.

Remarkable, one-off Maranello-derived tribute to be unveiled in the spectacular grounds of Woodcote Park – a modern classic for all to admire

The world debut of a one-off Ferrari-founded grand tourer will be among the many standout highlights at this summer’s Royal Automobile Club Concours (Wednesday 8 July), for which tickets are now on sale.

Taking centre stage at Woodcote Park, the extraordinary Daytona Shooting Brake Hommage is the latest creation from Niels van Roij Design, the Netherlands-based automotive studio internationally recognised for its striking, one-of-a-kind coachbuilding commissions. Previous projects include the two-door Range Rover-derived Adventum Coupé, the Rolls-Royce Silver Spectre Shooting Brake, and the Ferrari Breadvan Hommage.

Building on the legacy of the Breadvan Hommage, Niels van Roij Design’s latest contemporary interpretation is once again inspired by another truly iconic Maranello-derived commission from yesteryear – this time a road-going rather than racing car: the singular Daytona Shooting Brake custom-made in the early 1970s.

Dating back more than half a century, the original Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Shooting Brake was created for American real estate mogul Bob Gittleman via US importer Luigi Chinetti. Renowned designer Gene Garfinkle was responsible for the transformation, with the aluminium body expertly fabricated in Britain by Panther Westwinds in Surrey.

While rooted in this rich heritage, Niels van Roij Design’s modern interpretation deliberately avoids nostalgia. The result is a front-engined V12 supercar that feels both instantly recognisable and entirely new.

Retaining the donor car’s Maranello underpinnings, the reimagined Daytona Shooting Brake Hommage is defined by an entirely re-authored coachwork in hand-formed aluminium. It features a dramatically revised interior and roofline, with an elongated rear and a sharply raked Kamm tail.

Subtle yet evocative links to the original remain. As with the historic one-off, the new creation incorporates distinctive opening butterfly side windows – offering both visual theatre and practical access to the boot, now enhanced with remote operation.

“Designing the Daytona Shooting Brake Hommage has been both an honour and a rare opportunity,” said Niels van Roij whose studio specialises in collector commissioning and coach-building. “There is a unique sense of occasion in creating something that will never be repeated.

“The project exemplifies our focus on contemporary patronage and is as ambitious as it is demanding. Translating the legendary 1970s shooting brake into a contemporary design language has been a complex process. Our aim has always been to celebrate the original without being constrained by it creatively.”

In a notable departure from traditional coachbuilding secrecy, the development of the Daytona Shooting Brake Hommage has been shared publicly via social media. Enthusiasts have been offered an unusually transparent view into a typically private process, following the journey from initial sketches through to final detailing as a dynamic dialogue between designer, craftsman and audience.

Its appearance at the Royal Automobile Club Concours will mark the first – and maybe only – opportunity for the public to experience the one-off creation in person before it enters a private collection.

The striking Daytona Hommage will feature alongside a number of notable Shooting Brakes, celebrating the enduring appeal of these stylish and practical grand tourers.

The display will form one of the seven central concours categories, each judged by an esteemed panel of experts. Enhancing the occasion further, the Concours will present a variety of special feature displays, offering an even broader array of exceptional automotive design and heritage.

A total of over 70 vehicles will be exhibited within the main Concours, complemented by a vast display of more than 150 cherished cars belonging to members of the Club.

Adding to the prestige of the event, world-renowned auction house RM Sotheby’s will host its Summer Sale simultaneously at Woodcote Park for the first time.

Tickets are available to all members of the Royal Automobile Club. Woodcote Park will also welcome members of invited car clubs and motoring organisations – particularly those aligned with the selected Concours categories and feature displays.

Members of invited clubs and organisations have received a unique access code enabling them to purchase advance tickets. A full hospitality package is also available for those seeking an enhanced event experience.

Centenary celebration for one of Britain’s first Land Speed Record pioneers to headline summer showcase at Woodcote Park

The courageous exploits of one of Britain’s pioneering speed record breakers – Sir Henry O’Neal de Hane Segrave – will be celebrated at this summer’s Royal Automobile Club Concours (Wednesday 8 July), for which tickets are now on sale.

A towering figure from the heroic age of speed, Segrave was a fighter pilot, Grand Prix-winning racing driver, Land Speed Record holder and powerboat racer extraordinaire. A national hero, he was knighted by King George V in recognition of his groundbreaking achievements and as a standard-bearer for world-class British engineering.

Now, a century after Segrave set his first Land Speed Record in 1926, visitors to the Royal Automobile Club’s picturesque Woodcote Park estate will be able to experience a special display dedicated to one of Britain’s greatest trailblazers. Right at the heart of this unique tribute, Segrave’s 1926 record-breaking machine will take centre stage in a landmark anniversary showcase. The legendary leviathan is currently on show in the exalted Rotunda of the Club’s Pall Mall clubhouse in central London (photo above).

“Sir Henry Segrave embodies the very essence of British daring, defiance and determination,” said Duncan Wiltshire, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club. “This special centenary celebration not only honours his extraordinary achievements but also highlights the enduring legacy of innovation and courage that continues to inspire generations of engineers, drivers and adventurers.”

Born in 1896, Henry Segrave made history as the first Briton to win a Grand Prix in a British car, claiming victory at the 1923 French Grand Prix in Tours driving a Sunbeam, and one of the Sunbeams he raced at Brooklands in 1922 will also be on show at the Concours. 

Further Grands Prix triumphs followed before he then turned his attention to speed records and, in 1926, set his first Land Speed Record at 152.33mph on Ainsdale Beach, Southport.

Driving ‘Ladybird’, the very 4-litre V12 Sunbeam Tiger to be displayed at the Concours, he became the first person to exceed 150mph over a measured kilometre. Now owned by Indian businessman Vijay Mallya, the landmark Sunbeam returned to the Southport sands last month to mark the milestone with current Land Speed Record holder Andy Green OBE behind the wheel.

Then, in 1927, Segrave regained the record that by then had been lost to rival Malcolm Campbell. On Daytona Beach in the US he fulfilled a long-held ambition by becoming the first person to travel at more than 200mph on land, recording 203.79mph in the 1000bhp Sunbeam ‘Mystery’, also known as ‘the Slug’. He returned to Florida in 1929 to push the record further still to 231.45mph in the iconic Golden Arrow.

Turning his focus to water speed, the newly knighted Segrave again made history aboard Miss England II, powered by a mighty Napier Lion aero engine. On Lake Windermere, he achieved an unprecedented average of 98.76mph over two runs. Tragically, during a subsequent attempt, the boat capsized at speed, costing Segrave his life at just 33 years of age.

His enduring legacy prevails, however, through the prestigious Segrave Trophy, established in 1930 by his wife, Lady Doris Segrave. Awarded annually by the Royal Automobile Club, it recognises British nationals who demonstrate ‘Outstanding Skill and Courage on Land, on Water, in the Air, or even in Space’.

The eponymous trophy will be displayed at the Club Concours alongside Segrave’s astonishing 1926 record-breaking Sunbeam Tiger and the illustrious Sunbeam Grand Prix ‘Strasbourg’ kindly loaned by Royal Automobile Club member Bert Degenaar, one of four Sunbeam cars built for the XVI Grand Prix de l’A.C.F which took place in Strasbourg in July 1922 (photos below of Segrave in the 1922 Sunbeam ‘Strasbourg’ and the car today).

The striking Segrave showcase is one of a number of special feature displays. They are on show alongside the seven exceptional central concours categories to be judged by a panel of experts – and for visitors to savour – at the sophomore staging of the Royal Automobile Club Concours.

Adding further distinction to the occasion, world-renowned auction house RM Sotheby’s will host its Summer Sale simultaneously at Woodcote Park for the very first time.

Tickets are available for purchase by all members of the Royal Automobile Club, and Woodcote Park will once again also be open to members of invited fellow car clubs and motoring organisations – notably those associated with the selected Concours categories and feature displays.

Members of invited clubs and organisations have received a unique access code enabling them to purchase advance tickets. A full hospitality package is also offered for those seeking an enhanced event experience.

Tickets now on sale to invited motoring organisations for Concours on Wednesday 8 July

Staged at the Club’s Woodcote Park estate on Wednesday, 8 July, in the glorious Surrey countryside, this outstanding occasion enters its second year, after establishing itself as a new highlight of the motoring season in 2025.

Adding a further dash of excitement, world-renowned auction house RM Sotheby’s will host its Summer Sale at the Concours for the very first time.

Tickets are available for purchase by all members of the Royal Automobile Club, and the Concours is again open to members of invited car clubs and motoring organisations, especially those associated with the selected Concours categories and feature displays (see listings below).

Among those already confirmed are the Aston Martin Owners’ Club, British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC), Brooklands Museum Trust, Lamborghini Owners’ Club UK, Ferrari Owners’ Club, the Guild of Motoring Writers, Motorsport UK and the Vintage Sports-Car Club (VSCC).

These visiting guests will receive a unique access code enabling them to purchase advance tickets. A full hospitality package is also offered for an unforgettable day out with mouth-watering cars.

Full ticket details and comprehensive event information are available via the official website: royalautomobileclubconcours.co.uk.
 
2026 Royal Automobile Club Concours Categories

Seven classes will be judged by a panel of distinguished experts, competing for individual category honours as well as the coveted Best-in-Show award.

• Shooting Brakes: Elegant, practical sporting estates blending craftsmanship, versatility and style.
• The Woodcote Trophy: Pristine road-going examples of sports and sports-racing cars built before 1956.
• Pre-War Masterpieces: Highly individual pre-war cars distinguished by superbly evocative coachwork and storytelling mascots.
• Spoiler Alert: Factory-original performance road cars defined by purposeful rear aerofoils.
• Targa Florio: Cars that contested – or are eligible for the re-enactment of – the legendary Sicilian road race.
• V12 Engines: Automobiles from any era united by the drama and excess of the V12 powerplant.
• Motorcycles: High-performance bikes, with special celebration in 2026 of Ducati, Yamaha, Royal Enfield, Barry Sheene and Brands Hatch milestones.

 
2026 Royal Automobile Club Concours Feature Displays

Six dedicated displays will honour major marque milestones as well as the Club’s own pioneering role in motoring and motorsport history.

• Those Extravagant Edwardians: Limousines and landaulettes representing the decadence of early motoring in the pre-WW1 era.
• The Adventurous Segrave: Celebrating the indomitable spirit of British adventurer and record-breaker Sir Henry Segrave — a key figure in the Club’s heritage.
• Grand Prix of the Royal Automobile Club: Honouring the centenary of Britain’s first-ever Grand Prix, staged at Brooklands in 1926.
• Centenary of Mercedes-Benz: Marking the historic unification of Mercedes and Benz in 1926 to form one of the world’s greatest marques.
• An ‘L’ of a Display!: A double celebration paying tribute to the 120th anniversary of both Lancia and Lagonda.
• 130 Years of Daimler: A rarely seen collection of British greats from the vaults of the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust.

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