1939 Atalanta 4.3-Litre V12 Coupé Coachwork by Abbott of Farnham Registration no. FLY 862 Chassis no. L1018• Known ownership history • Present family ownership since 2010 • Restored between 2010 and 2022 • Engine still to be run-in (see text)FootnotesA short-lived but highly regarded manufacturer, Atalanta Motors of Staines, Middlesex was the brainchild of Alfred Gough (designer of the overhead-camshaft Frazer Nash engine) and undergraduate Peter Whitehead, who provided the financial backing. The marque took its name from the eponymous heroine of Greek mythology, who was notably fleet of foot. Founded in 1937, the firm specialised in hand built sports cars of advanced design; the exclusive and expensive Atalantas being unique among British cars of their day in featuring all-independent coil-sprung suspension. The tubular steel chassis was a substantial, X-braced affair fitted with hydraulic brakes, while the use of Hiduminium alloy for the suspension links and Elektron magnesium alloy for the huge (16"-diameter) hydraulically operated brake drums helped keep un-sprung weight to a minimum. Gough four-cylinder engines powered the majority of Atalantas, not that there were many; indeed, it is estimated that no more than 20 cars of all types were built. The Gough engine was available in two capacities: 1.6 (78bhp) and 2.0 litres (98bhp), while in 1938 the company added a Lincoln Zephyr V12-powered 4.3-litre model to the range. Whatever the engine, the Atlanta's performance was excellent, thanks in no small part to its lightweight construction, and many of the cars enjoyed successful competition careers. Most were bodied by Atalanta's neighbours, E D Abbott of Farnham. Sadly, the outbreak of WW2 curtained development of these exciting designs, and the Atalanta marque was not revived after the war's end. Survivors are exceedingly rare. 'FLY 862 was first owned by Sir Walter Gilby followed by Donald Hume, Robert Henderson (1950), Leonard Joseland (1951), Mark Joseland (1953), Stanley MacAdie (1973), Alister Barry Ward (2010), and then Marion Jane Ward (2022). Between 2010 and 2022 the Atalanta was restored, the bodywork being entrusted to Vintage Cars Ltd of Lymington (now Ashley & James Coachbuilders Ltd). The brightwork was re-chromed by Genius of the Lamp in Birmingham, while leather for the interior upholstery was supplied by UK Hide of Brooklands, Surrey (all bills available). It should be noted that the fully restored V12 engine is sill on its running-in oil. Modifications from factory specification include extra chrome; French-polished woodwork; vegetable dye leather; custom-spun 'Art Deco' cloth; hand-painted fine lines; logos to spinners and sunroof knob; updated brakes; post-war RGS Atalanta high-ratio differential with inboard brakes; Atalanta custom pedals; and LED lighting (except headlamps). Accompanying paperwork includes an original brochure; Atalanta book; photocopy old-style logbook; old V5 documents; VSCC correspondence; and a V5C Registration Certificate. The car also comes with two sets of keys plus unique fob; a Lalique mascot with illuminated mount; colour co-ordinated Kismet duplex foot pump; and a chrome screw-on stay to turn the boot into a table. Exotic, advanced, and exceedingly rare, the mythical Atalanta is rightfully considered by many enthusiasts to be the 'Holy Grail' among British pre-war sports cars.
1939 Atalanta 4.3-Litre V12 Coupé Coachwork by Abbott of Farnham Registration no. FLY 862 Chassis no. L1018• Known ownership history • Present family ownership since 2010 • Restored between 2010 and 2022 • Engine still to be run-in (see text)FootnotesA short-lived but highly regarded manufacturer, Atalanta Motors of Staines, Middlesex was the brainchild of Alfred Gough (designer of the overhead-camshaft Frazer Nash engine) and undergraduate Peter Whitehead, who provided the financial backing. The marque took its name from the eponymous heroine of Greek mythology, who was notably fleet of foot. Founded in 1937, the firm specialised in hand built sports cars of advanced design; the exclusive and expensive Atalantas being unique among British cars of their day in featuring all-independent coil-sprung suspension. The tubular steel chassis was a substantial, X-braced affair fitted with hydraulic brakes, while the use of Hiduminium alloy for the suspension links and Elektron magnesium alloy for the huge (16"-diameter) hydraulically operated brake drums helped keep un-sprung weight to a minimum. Gough four-cylinder engines powered the majority of Atalantas, not that there were many; indeed, it is estimated that no more than 20 cars of all types were built. The Gough engine was available in two capacities: 1.6 (78bhp) and 2.0 litres (98bhp), while in 1938 the company added a Lincoln Zephyr V12-powered 4.3-litre model to the range. Whatever the engine, the Atlanta's performance was excellent, thanks in no small part to its lightweight construction, and many of the cars enjoyed successful competition careers. Most were bodied by Atalanta's neighbours, E D Abbott of Farnham. Sadly, the outbreak of WW2 curtained development of these exciting designs, and the Atalanta marque was not revived after the war's end. Survivors are exceedingly rare. 'FLY 862 was first owned by Sir Walter Gilby followed by Donald Hume, Robert Henderson (1950), Leonard Joseland (1951), Mark Joseland (1953), Stanley MacAdie (1973), Alister Barry Ward (2010), and then Marion Jane Ward (2022). Between 2010 and 2022 the Atalanta was restored, the bodywork being entrusted to Vintage Cars Ltd of Lymington (now Ashley & James Coachbuilders Ltd). The brightwork was re-chromed by Genius of the Lamp in Birmingham, while leather for the interior upholstery was supplied by UK Hide of Brooklands, Surrey (all bills available). It should be noted that the fully restored V12 engine is sill on its running-in oil. Modifications from factory specification include extra chrome; French-polished woodwork; vegetable dye leather; custom-spun 'Art Deco' cloth; hand-painted fine lines; logos to spinners and sunroof knob; updated brakes; post-war RGS Atalanta high-ratio differential with inboard brakes; Atalanta custom pedals; and LED lighting (except headlamps). Accompanying paperwork includes an original brochure; Atalanta book; photocopy old-style logbook; old V5 documents; VSCC correspondence; and a V5C Registration Certificate. The car also comes with two sets of keys plus unique fob; a Lalique mascot with illuminated mount; colour co-ordinated Kismet duplex foot pump; and a chrome screw-on stay to turn the boot into a table. Exotic, advanced, and exceedingly rare, the mythical Atalanta is rightfully considered by many enthusiasts to be the 'Holy Grail' among British pre-war sports cars.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
