As part of this week's Salon Prive in London, RM Auctions will host an all British sale tomorrow. The catalog includes some fabulous lots from all of the country's most famous marques. One of the absolute highlights is this Rolls-Royce Phantom I Barker Sports Tourer. It was the first of four experimental cars built to explore the possibilities of a sportier version of the very formal Phantom. Accordingly it was fitted with a Tourer body by Barker that was unusually rakish for Rolls-Royce standards. The car was extensively tested and retained as a factory demonstrator until 1931. As far as we know, tomorrow's RM Auctions sale represents the first public offering of '10EX' in nearly five decades.
Rivaling auctioneer Bonhams will pull out all the stops next week for the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed sale. Around 100 cars are entered and the supporting 'automobilia' section features some very interesting book lots. One of the most interesting car lots is one of just two Aston Martin DB2/4 Bertone Cabriolets. Chassis LML/506 was originally sold to a Californian enthusiast and is a veteran of the 1955 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it placed third in class. Coincidentally we captured the sister car (LML/504) a few years ago at Pebble as well. The example that will cross the block during the Festival of Speed has been completely restored in recent years, so is still eligible for all the major shows. Among its former owners was former Grand Prix racer, the late Innes Ireland.
Following the release of pictures of a subtly camouflaged example, MINI have now shared the full details of the new Coupe. A strict two-seater, the very compact machine will be the fifth model in the MINI line-up. One of the more striking features is the hydraulically actuated rear wing that pops up at speeds over 50 mph (80 km/h). In John Cooper Works trim, the new Coupe is capable of a sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.4 seconds and will have a top speed of 149 mph (240 km/h).

Enjoy the links:

1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Bertone Cabriolet - Images, Specifications and Information

2011 MINI John Cooper Works Coup - Images, Specifications and Information

1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Barker Sports Tourer - Images, Specifications and Information