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21 May 2018

Roll like a Thai prince or Stanley Kubrick with some of these ultra-rare auction treats

By Tom WhiteTom White
From poster cars to tractors, Coys has some neat stuff.

When you’re done with ‘regular’ exotic car auctions, take a look at Coys' Chiswick House auction.

This is where the truly special gems come out. Cars that aren’t only rare, but also formerly owned by the royal or famous.

Take, for example this 1987 Mercedes-Benz 280GE.

Apparently Kubrick picked this one up shortly after the release of 'Full Metal Jacket'. Seems about right. (image credit: Coys) Apparently Kubrick picked this one up shortly after the release of 'Full Metal Jacket'. Seems about right. (image credit: Coys)

This clean-looking two-door Gelandewagen was once owned by the one and only Stanley Kubrick. You know – ‘Clockwork Orange’. ‘The Shining’. My personal fave: ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’.

Anyway, this 280GE is the original ’460’ generation G-Wagen, powered by a 2.8-litre inline-six (115kW/226Nm) and has had over £10,000 spent on a restoration. It even comes with all the original Kubrick-signed paperwork. Coys reckon it’ll fetch between just AU$10 – 15k.

Not exclusive enough for you? Maybe you’d rather roll like royalty in this bespoke 1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II originally delivered to Prince Chula of Thailand.

Looks regal... (image credit: Coys) Looks regal... (image credit: Coys)

Apparently, the prince had a taste for motorsport and the colour blue, hence the excessive use of the colour inside and out on this luxo barge. Just 2417 Silver Cloud II’s were built and it was powered by a 6.2-litre V8 (the power figures of which were never officially revealed…). Coys estimate the price of the royal roller between AU$116 – 152k.

Okay, so we understand if ancient luxo barges and old Mercedes military hardware might not be your thing. How about some rare Italian treasure?

Take a look at this basically-a-concept-car Alfa Romeo SZ.

It's gotta be one of the most amazing-looking Alfas ever. (image credit: Coys) It's gotta be one of the most amazing-looking Alfas ever. (image credit: Coys)

Built by none other than Zagato and finished in the finest plastics (it’s lightweight, okay?) the SZ is powered by a 154kW/245Nm 3.0-litre V6, making it all the Alfa sports car you’ll ever need.

All 1036 cars were only available in the red colour you see here. It’s even UK delivered, so the wheel is on the correct side if you wanted to bring it to Australia. Coys reckon it’ll go for somewhere between AU$71,600 – 107,400.

Not rare enough? How about a one of twelve Alfa Romeo TZ2?

One of just 12 cars. (image credit: Coys) One of just 12 cars. (image credit: Coys)

Dating from Alfa’s high racing days, the TZ2 was cancelled shortly after the first few were built so that Alfa could focus on the Tipo-33 and GTA race programs. As a result, only 12 cars were ever built.

This one has been restored and immaculately looked after thanks to it spending the last 40 or so years sitting in the Milan Telocommunications museum. (the Italians know how to roll… phonez n carz…) Apparently it runs a 2.0-litre twin-spark engine, not the original 1.6.

Regardless, this is a rare automobile. Coys reckon it’ll fetch something to the tune of AU$300,000.

If the engines haven't impressed you so far, this 1984 Ferrari 512 BBi is also heading for the block.

By far the quickest and most expensive car on the list. (image credit: Coys) By far the quickest and most expensive car on the list. (image credit: Coys)

That’s a 4.9-litre 268kW/450Nm flat-12 monster strapped to not much car. The Berlinetta Boxer is also one of the final editions that came with such fancy refinements as Bosch fuel-injection. One of just 1007 built, Coys reckon it’ll fetch over AU$360k.

One last one, just for fun: An actual Lamborghini tractor. A 1962 Lamborghini 2R.

You can say "I own a Lambo" from just $21k. (image credit: Coys) You can say "I own a Lambo" from just $21k. (image credit: Coys)

For those that somehow don’t know, this is how the raging bull brand started out. Making tractors to pay the bills. This one is ‘expertly restored’ and puts down a whopping 30kW. Coys (describing this as a 'cousin of the Miura') reckon it’ll fetch not far over AU$21,000. Low cost of entry for a Lambo.

Check out the rest of the listings which go under the hammer on the 26th of May here.

Which one of these fine automobiles would you like to add to your collection? Tell us what you think in the comments.