Goodwood FoS 2012: George Daniels collection offered by Bonhams ...

[Wouter Melissen]

On Thursday this year's edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed will kick off with The Moving Motorshow, followed by the main event on Friday. A set fixture of the 'FoS' is the Bonhams auction that traditionally takes place on Friday afternoon. Having consigned many highly impressive machines, it promises to be one of the major sales of the year. Headlining the auction is the collection of the late George Daniels. Over the past decades the 'Master Watchmaker' had brought together a formidable collection, with the unique Bentley 4.5 'Blower' Birkin Monoposto as the centrepiece. This car started life as the very first Blower Bentley and was first raced at Le Mans and later more famously at Brooklands with the single seater body that is still on the car today. Spiritual father of the 'Blower', Tim Birkin ultimately managed to lap the 'Surrey Speedbowl' at a staggering 137.58 mph. Still in very original condition, 'Blower No. 1' has been raced extensively throughout its life. We captured the car at various events including the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and numerous times at Goodwood as can be seen in our 18-shot gallery. The unique machine looks set to become one of the most expensive cars to cross the block this year.
Another Brooklands veteran from the Daniels collection is this Itala 100hp Grand Prix. As the name suggests, it was originally conceived for the French Grand Prix but the big four-cylinder engined machine proved more successful at the high-speed 'oval'. Following its racing career, it was registered for the road and slightly modified to offer the participants some protection from the elements. Even though the car is a thoroughbred racer, Daniels used the Itala on the road regularly, including the odd cross-continent travels.
Although Tim Birkin was best known for his Bentley ventures, he was also successful in Italian cars, highlighted by a Le Mans victory in 1931. A year later he participated in the great race in this Alfa Romeo 8C 2300, which is another star from the Daniels Collection. Following its competition career, the long wheelbase chassis was re-bodied by Pinin Farina with a road-car body. During the 1990s, Daniels had the car restored to its original configuration while retaining the Pinin Farina body.
As always, we will venture out to the Goodwood Estate to capture the Festival of Speed in its entirety. However, nothing beats attending in person and we understand a few tickets remain for Thursday, Friday and Sunday. These are not sold at the door and can only be ordered on the Goodwood website.

Enjoy the links:

1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Touring Le Mans - Images, Specifications and Information

1929 - 1931 Bentley 4.5 Litre 'Blower' Birkin Monoposto - Images, Specifications and Information

1908 Itala 100hp Grand Prix - Images, Specifications and Information