A 1921 Alfa Romeo which remained hidden on a farm in the Australian Outback for decades after its owner went bust is to be sold for a million dollars.
Only 52 of the Alfa Romeo G1s were ever built and the model for sale is the only known survivor.
The G1 was bought at auction by a prominent businessman who used the car regularly before being declared bankrupt.
Alfa Romeo remained hidden for a quarter of a century
Even then he couldn’t bear to part with the Alfa Romeo A1 and he hid it from officials on a farm in Queensland.
The car remained in the barn for 25 years until it was rediscovered in 1964.
Then, Alfa Romeo enthusiast Ross Flewell-Smith bought the car and began a 10 year restoration project which included the creation of a new Torpedo-style body while retaining the original chassis.
The car left Australia in 2012 after it was purchased by an American collector, who began an extensive restoration of his own.
Now the A1 is back in pristine condition and it is to be sold at RM Sotherby’s Auctions in Arizona, US on Thursday (January 18).
Alfa Romeo A1: “exciting, powerful, historic”
A spokesman for the auction house said: “This exciting, powerful and oldest-known surviving Alfa Romeo presents a rare opportunity for the discerning automotive connoisseur to own a historic machine.
“It is a car that will be a welcome entrant at vintage rally events where it will certainly be the centre of attention, as well as an absolute blast to drive.
“We expect it to fetch in the realm of $1,000,000, which is around £750,000.”
If you have a vintage or classic car that you can’t bear to part with, you had better make sure is has the right insurance cover. Consult the experts at Adrian Flux.
