The car auction frenzy has taken off at Italian auction house Wannenes, which is presenting their ‘Classic Cars and Motorcycles, Youngtimer & Automobilia’ auction on 16 July in Garage Italia, the creative hub founded by Lapo Elkann (heir to the firm Fiat) in Milan's historic train station.
In this sale, Wannenes is presenting 42 magnificent vintage cars, including the Dallara Stradale Limited Edition, the eighth produced in a limited series of only ten, a magnificent model of Alfa Romeo 1900 Super Sprint Touring Superleggera from 1955, an elegant Mercedes Benz 190 SL from 1956, a Porsche Carrera Targa from 1974, and a Ferrari 488 Spider from 2018.
The Dallara Stradale, created in 2016 from the genius of Giampaolo Dallara (one of the greatest Italian engineers who, with Carlo Chiti and Giotto Bizzarini, designed the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO) is not only his latest masterpiece, but a combination of the requirements needed for road approval and the standard performance of racing cars. Produced in only a few copies, it is a racing car dedicated to the emotion generated by speed, which is contained in this high-flying Italian bodywork.
The Alfa Romeo 1900 was a pivotal creation in the history of the Italian automobile: the first post-war car produced on a large scale, it includes an engine derived from racing and has established itself as a symbol of supremacy from Italy on the circuits. Its rumble is that of the undeniable double-shaft Alfa Romeo engine, the first brand to win the first F1 world championship in 1950.
During the sale organised at Garage Italia, Lapo Elkann’s Ferrari Azzurra and the 595 Abarth Azzurra Tender will be offered. Elkann decided to sell them with Wannenes in order to transfer the proceeds to the LAPS Foundation
The famous Lapo Elkann himself will participate in the auction by offering collectors two cars personalised by Garage Italia: a Ferrari GTC4 Lusso ‘Azzurra’ and an Abarth 595 Competizione ‘Azzurra’, unique models put on sale for the benefit of the LAPS Foundation.
Lapo Elkann said: “I am very attached to these cars because they both wear my favourite colours, the Lapo Blue and Navy Blue Garage Italia, exclusive colours patented for me by BASF. When I bought them, I followed and supervised each step of their personalisations because I wanted to make them totally unique and emblematic models."
Lapo Elkann, in addition to his two cars, will auction two racing suits that belonged to Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, received as gifts from the two drivers in person in 2010 and 2019 (respectively). The outfits bear the handwritten signatures of the two stars.
The profits from the sale of these four lots will be donated to the LAPS Foundation by Lapo Elkann to develop ‘Scelgo Giusto’, a reorientation project for minors with drug problems or likely to fall into criminal circles, as well as the programme ‘Vital Connection’, which is aimed at fighting digital addictions. Wannenes will not apply their auction fees to the hammer price.
The catalogue also includes twelve models of great historical value in the world of vintage motorcycles and scooters, including a very rare Moto Guzzi GTV ‘Pre Astore’ from 1948, and a Vespa 150 Sprint Veloce from 1973, offered to charity by the owner.
As the end of the summer auctions approaches, here Wannenes offers an essential opportunity for all collectors and lovers of cars and motorcycles. All lots will be exhibited at Garage Italia in Milan, from 13 to 16 July 2020. The auction will take place on 16 July at Viale Certosa 86.
