1939 Atalanta V-12 Drophead Coupé (Abbott coachwork)
- Engine
- 4.3L V12 (Lincoln-Zephyr unit), finned aluminum heads, three Stromberg 94 carburetors
- Colour
- Black with scarlet
The Atalanta was a hand-built British sports car produced in tiny numbers between 1937 and 1939 by the Staines-based firm founded by Albert Gough and A.C. Bertelli. Of roughly twenty examples made, only six carried the Lincoln-Zephyr-derived V-12 engine, and four are believed to survive. This Abbott-bodied drophead coupé is one of those six, finished in black and scarlet, and features fully independent coil-spring suspension, magnesium components, and three Stromberg carburettors. It was shown at the 2001 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and completed the 2004 Colorado Grand.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$335,000
- → 1998Acquisition unknownCharles Morsepartial documentation
Washington State collector specializing in coachbuilt European vehicles; acquired the car from Craig Davis.
- 1998 →Private saleJames Raisbeckfull documentation
Purchased from Charles Morse after encountering the car locally; invested in mechanical sorting including recasting rear suspension housings and fitting a new cooling system. Wrote about the car in a 2011 CCCA Pacific Northwest magazine article.
- Date unknownCraig Davispartial documentation
California-based collector who held the car for an extended period. Known as a prominent enthusiast.
Competition
- 20012001 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Car was exhibited at the prestigious California concours while in Raisbeck's ownership.
- 20042004 Colorado Grand
Car completed the touring rally event without a stated finishing position.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
The car was comprehensively restored to its current black and scarlet colour scheme prior to James Raisbeck's ownership, as noted in his 2011 article.
The restoration predated the 1998 acquisition by Raisbeck.
- —Mechanical
Substantial mechanical sorting carried out after Raisbeck's acquisition: the eccentric housings for the independent rear suspension were recast from new, and an entirely new cooling system was installed for the V-12 engine.
Work overseen by Raisbeck and carried out by his mechanic Jim Preston to ensure strong running and driving performance.
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