Atalanta V12

1938 Atalanta 4.3-Litre V12 Drophead Coupe

Offered by Bonhams | Chichester, U.K. | September 17, 2022

Photo – Bonhams

Atalantas are very good-looking cars that were produced in small numbers by Atalanta Motors of Middlesex between 1937 and 1939. They were designed by Alfred Gough, who had also designed Frazer Nash‘s overhead-cam engine. Most Atalantas were powered by four-cylinder engines, but a few left the factory with a 4.3-liter Lincoln-Zephyr V12.

This is one of those cars, and Bonhams has a V12 coupe in this sale as well, which is kind of incredible as only 20 Atalanta automobiles were built of all types. The Lincoln-powered cars made 112 horsepower, and all featured a four-wheel independent coil-sprung suspension, an X-brace tubular steel chassis, and 16″ hydraulic drum brakes at each corner.

The cars were quick, stylish, and expensive. Body work here was by Abbott of Farnham, and it was restored a while back. These are pretty great cars, on par with just about anything else coming out of England near the outbreak of WWII. The estimate is $140,000-$210,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Not sold.

Atalanta Sports

1937 Atalanta 2-Litre Sports

Offered by Bonhams | London, U.K. | December 16, 2020

Photo – Bonhams

The British sports car, exemplified by post-war cars from Triumph, MG, and the like, was not something new that appeared in the 1950s. The British liked the idea for decades before that. Tiny, short-lived marques like Atalanta, Arab, Frazer Nash, and Squire were the forefathers of the TR6, MGB, and Austin-Healey Sprite.

The Atalanta was built between 1937 and 1939 in Middlesex, England. The company was founded by Alfred Gough, an engine-builder for Frazer Nash, as well as Peter Crosby, Peter Whitehead, and Neil Watson. They hand-built their cars, and they were expensive. But look at it. It has all of the style of an SS Jaguar.

Only 20 cars were built in total, and three engines were offered, including a Lincoln-Zephyr V12 in 1938. Most cars had a Gough-designed 1.6- or 2.0-liter inline-four, and this car has the latter. It made 98 horsepower when new. This car is one of only two short-chassis examples produced. It’s also one of only two 2.0L Atalantas built.

This is a great little car and is welcomed at events such as the Le Mans Classic. It is expected to bring between $400,000-$530,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $392,413.