Rob Myers, Chairman of RM Sotheby’s, says: “To be able to offer the Alfa Romeo B.A.T cars as a single lot triptych at auction is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. To do so in Sotheby’s Contemporary Art evening sale only adds further validation to the global significance of the B.A.T cars. These three truly spectacular cars are amongst the most instantly recognizable and important pieces of automotive design ever produced. Furthermore, they have never been offered for sale as a united trio, and so the offering of this design triptych may never happen again. The importance of the offering of these cars cannot be underestimated either within the automotive or within the art, sculpture and design world.”

David Galperin, Head of Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Evening Auctions in New York, commented: “Following the success of the Michael Schumacher Ferrari F1 race car in our November 2017 evening sale, we are thrilled to again present an exceptional example of automotive design in our Contemporary Art auction. Designed and executed in the early 1950s, the Alfa Romeo B.A.T. automobiles represent the great creative ingenuity that marks post-war Italy and the European avant-garde at this period in history. Presented in the context of our Contemporary Art Evening Sale, alongside works by titans of post-war Italian art and design such as Lucio Fontana and Carlo Mollino, the sheer radicality, sculptural brilliance, and unique artistic vision of these automotive icons will be ever more magnified.”

Interestingly, the three B.A.T.s were never shown together as a triptych in period, and the cars were sold off following their respective show circuit runs. In fact, the cars were not united until the 1989 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, sharing the spotlight with none other than Nuccio Bertone, the man who oversaw their commission and construction. Shortly after this, the current owner individually acquired each car and the trio has been restored, maintained and kept as a group ever since. They have only ever made very occasional public appearances over the past 30 years and the cars are undoubtedly one of the most important single collections of vehicles in existence. It is therefore fitting that the cars are being sold as a single lot and befitting their unquestionable status as design icons and possibly the best example of ‘cars as works of art’, the cars will be offered by Sotheby’s at its New York Contemporary Art Evening Sale on 28th October with a pre-sale estimate of $14,000,000 to $20,000,0000.

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