The Steeple Times

Tag: Italy

  • Not So Little Italy

    Not So Little Italy

    Vast “Italian style” oceanfront mansion in Orange County, CA relaunched for sale for £42.7 million; it has failed to sell at prices as high as £53 million

     

    An 18,000 square foot barn of a residence described as “the finest oceanfront home in SoCal” has been relaunched to the market this month at a price 20% lower than when it was first listed in 2013.

     

    Built in what is somewhat ambitiously termed an “Italian palazzo style” and featuring Spanish tile roofing, five imported European fireplaces and “terrazzo flooring evoking those in The Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades”, 2585 Riviera Drive stands on an acre plot in north Laguna Beach’s private Irvine Cove community. It is one of twelve oceanside homes in a gated, 24-hour-a-day guarded community and enjoys “spectacular views” of the Pacific and access to a private beach.

     

    Constructed to the designs of the Warner Group over a period of eight years and completed in 2010, the house offered occupies half of a larger plot owned until 2002 by Joan Irvine Smith, a woman whose family had at one time been the main landowner in the area. It features not only 5 bedroom suites and 9 bathrooms but also a screening room with bar, a 10,000 bottle wine cellar with tasting room and a 6-car garage with hydraulic lift.

     

    Within the grounds stands a guest house that was designed to be “a scaled back replica of Philip Johnson’s Glass House in Connecticut” and a 53-foot brass and glass waterfall made from materials salvaged from a Los Angeles bank. There are also 100-year old olive trees, a rose garden and a pool with cabana and spa.

     

    Not So Little Italy – 2585 Riviera Drive, Abalaone Point, Irvine Cove Community, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California, CA 92651, United States of America – For sale for $55 million (£42.7 million, €49 million or درهم202 million) through Maxine Laube of Surterre Properties – Owned by Ronald K. Loder and Yolanda Loder
    An aerial shot of the site during construction
    Not So Little Italy – 2585 Riviera Drive, Abalaone Point, Irvine Cove Community, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California, CA 92651, United States of America – For sale for $55 million (£42.7 million, €49 million or درهم202 million) through Maxine Laube of Surterre Properties – Owned by Ronald K. Loder and Yolanda Loder
    The house today with the ocean beyond

     

    Owned by businessman Ronald K. Loder, the founder of RKL Consulting, and his wife Yolanda, 2585 Riviera Drive is for sale with Maxine Laube of Surterre Properties. Of it, in 2013, Mr Loder remarked:

     

    “My wife and I love traveling to Northern Italy, particularly Bellagio and the lake country, where we’ve always admired the architecture… [But] I wouldn’t want [our house] to be construed as Tuscan in any way… Even though we built an Italianate palazzo, we wanted the flavor [sic] of mid-century design around us”.

     

    “We wanted people to know they were stepping into an oceanfront property the moment they arrived”.

     

    The Numbers – 2585 Riviera Drive, Laguna Beach

     

    June 2002 – Land subdivided into three plots; 2585 Riviera Drive sold for sum of $10.5 million (the equivalent of £11.1 million, $14.3 million, €12.7 million or درهم52.5 million today).

     

    July 2013 – Placed for sale for $65 million (the equivalent of £53 million, $68.2 million, €60.5 million or درهم250.6 million today).

     

    May 2017 – Relaunched for sale for $55 million (£42.7 million, €49 million or درهم202 million).

     

    Not So Little Italy – 2585 Riviera Drive, Abalaone Point, Irvine Cove Community, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California, CA 92651, United States of America – For sale for $55 million (£42.7 million, €49 million or درهم202 million) through Maxine Laube of Surterre Properties – Owned by Ronald K. Loder and Yolanda LoderNot So Little Italy – 2585 Riviera Drive, Abalaone Point, Irvine Cove Community, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California, CA 92651, United States of America – For sale for $55 million (£42.7 million, €49 million or درهم202 million) through Maxine Laube of Surterre Properties – Owned by Ronald K. Loder and Yolanda LoderNot So Little Italy – 2585 Riviera Drive, Abalaone Point, Irvine Cove Community, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California, CA 92651, United States of America – For sale for $55 million (£42.7 million, €49 million or درهم202 million) through Maxine Laube of Surterre Properties – Owned by Ronald K. Loder and Yolanda LoderNot So Little Italy – 2585 Riviera Drive, Abalaone Point, Irvine Cove Community, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California, CA 92651, United States of America – For sale for $55 million (£42.7 million, €49 million or درهم202 million) through Maxine Laube of Surterre Properties – Owned by Ronald K. Loder and Yolanda LoderNot So Little Italy – 2585 Riviera Drive, Abalaone Point, Irvine Cove Community, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California, CA 92651, United States of America – For sale for $55 million (£42.7 million, €49 million or درهم202 million) through Maxine Laube of Surterre Properties – Owned by Ronald K. Loder and Yolanda LoderNot So Little Italy – 2585 Riviera Drive, Abalaone Point, Irvine Cove Community, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California, CA 92651, United States of America – For sale for $55 million (£42.7 million, €49 million or درهم202 million) through Maxine Laube of Surterre Properties – Owned by Ronald K. Loder and Yolanda LoderNot So Little Italy – 2585 Riviera Drive, Abalaone Point, Irvine Cove Community, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California, CA 92651, United States of America – For sale for $55 million (£42.7 million, €49 million or درهم202 million) through Maxine Laube of Surterre Properties – Owned by Ronald K. Loder and Yolanda LoderNot So Little Italy – 2585 Riviera Drive, Abalaone Point, Irvine Cove Community, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California, CA 92651, United States of America – For sale for $55 million (£42.7 million, €49 million or درهم202 million) through Maxine Laube of Surterre Properties – Owned by Ronald K. Loder and Yolanda Loder Not So Little Italy – 2585 Riviera Drive, Abalaone Point, Irvine Cove Community, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California, CA 92651, United States of America – For sale for $55 million (£42.7 million, €49 million or درهم202 million) through Maxine Laube of Surterre Properties – Owned by Ronald K. Loder and Yolanda Loder Not So Little Italy – 2585 Riviera Drive, Abalaone Point, Irvine Cove Community, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California, CA 92651, United States of America – For sale for $55 million (£42.7 million, €49 million or درهم202 million) through Maxine Laube of Surterre Properties – Owned by Ronald K. Loder and Yolanda LoderNot So Little Italy – 2585 Riviera Drive, Abalaone Point, Irvine Cove Community, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California, CA 92651, United States of America – For sale for $55 million (£42.7 million, €49 million or درهم202 million) through Maxine Laube of Surterre Properties – Owned by Ronald K. Loder and Yolanda Loder Not So Little Italy – 2585 Riviera Drive, Abalaone Point, Irvine Cove Community, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California, CA 92651, United States of America – For sale for $55 million (£42.7 million, €49 million or درهم202 million) through Maxine Laube of Surterre Properties – Owned by Ronald K. Loder and Yolanda LoderNot So Little Italy – 2585 Riviera Drive, Abalaone Point, Irvine Cove Community, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California, CA 92651, United States of America – For sale for $55 million (£42.7 million, €49 million or درهم202 million) through Maxine Laube of Surterre Properties – Owned by Ronald K. Loder and Yolanda LoderNot So Little Italy – 2585 Riviera Drive, Abalaone Point, Irvine Cove Community, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California, CA 92651, United States of America – For sale for $55 million (£42.7 million, €49 million or درهم202 million) through Maxine Laube of Surterre Properties – Owned by Ronald K. Loder and Yolanda LoderNot So Little Italy – 2585 Riviera Drive, Abalaone Point, Irvine Cove Community, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California, CA 92651, United States of America – For sale for $55 million (£42.7 million, €49 million or درهم202 million) through Maxine Laube of Surterre Properties – Owned by Ronald K. Loder and Yolanda Loder

  • Marlene’s Motor

    Marlene’s Motor

    1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport cabriolet to be auctioned; it attracted the attentions of Marlene Dietrich and has a Hermés interior

     

    In October 1949, the chameleon-like actress and singer Marlene Dietrich (1901 – 1992) was photographed “descending elegantly” from a custom-built T26 Talbot Grand Sport by coachbuilders Franay at the Paris Salon. That car subsequently won the 1er Grand Prix d’Honneur at the Concours d’Enghien in June 1950 and is now due to be sold at auction in May.

     

    The “outrageously exclusive” short-wheelbase Grand Sport, chassis 110121, was first presented in white and came with a luxurious red leather interior and fitted luggage by Hermés. It was described as “an automobile destined for the serious sportsman and chic Parisian society in equal measure”.

     

    Marlene’s Motor – 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport cabriolet by Franay – Estimate £1 million to £1.3 million ($1.3 million to $1.6 million, €1.2 million to €1.5 million or درهم4.8 million to درهم6 million) – To be sold by RM Sotheby’s on 27th May 2017 at Villa Erba, Largo Luchino Visconti, 4, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy – Actress and singer Marlene Dietrich (1901 – 1992)
    Marlene Dietrich “descending elegantly from the car, the crowd surrounding it completely mesmerized – a very rare instance of the occupant upstaging a Grand Sport” at the Paris Salon in October 1949
    Marlene’s Motor – 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport cabriolet by Franay – Estimate £1 million to £1.3 million ($1.3 million to $1.6 million, €1.2 million to €1.5 million or درهم4.8 million to درهم6 million) – To be sold by RM Sotheby’s on 27th May 2017 at Villa Erba, Largo Luchino Visconti, 4, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy – Actress and singer Marlene Dietrich (1901 – 1992)
    As it is presented today – The 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport cabriolet by Franay

     

    Subsequently subject to another makeover by Franay whilst still owned by Talbot in the winter of 1950, the 4.5-litre car was presented at the Brussels Auto Show in January 1951 in black with a new, simpler grille design. After appearing at the Concours de la Grande Cascade that summer, the vehicle passed into the ownership of an unknown “manufacturer of hard candies” and was given yet another grille – this time in the style Pininfarina Ferrari 212 Inter.

     

    Returning to the Concours d’Enghien in June 1952 and then having its final appearance on the Franay stand at the 1953 Paris Salon, the Grand Sport was sold to a butcher from Versailles. It was bought for just $800 (the equivalent of £5,100, $6,600, €6,100 or درهم24,200 today) in 1960 by Jim Bandy, an American military officer stationed in France, and then taken by him to Baltimore, Maryland in 1963. Sold on several times and subject to an engine swap with a Talbot Grand Sport Saoutchik coupé, chassis 110101, the car was partially dismantled in the 1970s and it was not until 1992 that its restoration was to properly begin under the guidance of the highly regarded Austrian restorer Egon Zweimüller.

     

    Completed in 2010, the restored “one-off cabriolet” is now described as “compelling and unprecedented”. It again has a Hermés interior and luggage – this time in black – and has been verified by the Talbot-Lago and Saoutchik authority Peter M. Larsen.

     

    Offered with an unsurprisingly punchy estimate of £1 million to £1.3 million ($1.3 million to $1.6 million, €1.2 million to €1.5 million or درهم4.8 million to درهم6 million) by RM Sotheby’s, the 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport cabriolet by Franay will be sold at Villa Erba on Lake Como on the 27th May.

     

    Marlene’s Motor – 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport cabriolet by Franay – Estimate £1 million to £1.3 million ($1.3 million to $1.6 million, €1.2 million to €1.5 million or درهم4.8 million to درهم6 million) – To be sold by RM Sotheby’s on 27th May 2017 at Villa Erba, Largo Luchino Visconti, 4, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy – Actress and singer Marlene Dietrich (1901 – 1992)Marlene’s Motor – 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport cabriolet by Franay – Estimate £1 million to £1.3 million ($1.3 million to $1.6 million, €1.2 million to €1.5 million or درهم4.8 million to درهم6 million) – To be sold by RM Sotheby’s on 27th May 2017 at Villa Erba, Largo Luchino Visconti, 4, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy – Actress and singer Marlene Dietrich (1901 – 1992)Marlene’s Motor – 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport cabriolet by Franay – Estimate £1 million to £1.3 million ($1.3 million to $1.6 million, €1.2 million to €1.5 million or درهم4.8 million to درهم6 million) – To be sold by RM Sotheby’s on 27th May 2017 at Villa Erba, Largo Luchino Visconti, 4, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy – Actress and singer Marlene Dietrich (1901 – 1992)Marlene’s Motor – 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport cabriolet by Franay – Estimate £1 million to £1.3 million ($1.3 million to $1.6 million, €1.2 million to €1.5 million or درهم4.8 million to درهم6 million) – To be sold by RM Sotheby’s on 27th May 2017 at Villa Erba, Largo Luchino Visconti, 4, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy – Actress and singer Marlene Dietrich (1901 – 1992)Marlene’s Motor – 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport cabriolet by Franay – Estimate £1 million to £1.3 million ($1.3 million to $1.6 million, €1.2 million to €1.5 million or درهم4.8 million to درهم6 million) – To be sold by RM Sotheby’s on 27th May 2017 at Villa Erba, Largo Luchino Visconti, 4, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy – Actress and singer Marlene Dietrich (1901 – 1992)Marlene’s Motor – 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport cabriolet by Franay – Estimate £1 million to £1.3 million ($1.3 million to $1.6 million, €1.2 million to €1.5 million or درهم4.8 million to درهم6 million) – To be sold by RM Sotheby’s on 27th May 2017 at Villa Erba, Largo Luchino Visconti, 4, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy – Actress and singer Marlene Dietrich (1901 – 1992)Marlene’s Motor – 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport cabriolet by Franay – Estimate £1 million to £1.3 million ($1.3 million to $1.6 million, €1.2 million to €1.5 million or درهم4.8 million to درهم6 million) – To be sold by RM Sotheby’s on 27th May 2017 at Villa Erba, Largo Luchino Visconti, 4, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy – Actress and singer Marlene Dietrich (1901 – 1992) Marlene’s Motor – 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport cabriolet by Franay – Estimate £1 million to £1.3 million ($1.3 million to $1.6 million, €1.2 million to €1.5 million or درهم4.8 million to درهم6 million) – To be sold by RM Sotheby’s on 27th May 2017 at Villa Erba, Largo Luchino Visconti, 4, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy – Actress and singer Marlene Dietrich (1901 – 1992)Marlene’s Motor – 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport cabriolet by Franay – Estimate £1 million to £1.3 million ($1.3 million to $1.6 million, €1.2 million to €1.5 million or درهم4.8 million to درهم6 million) – To be sold by RM Sotheby’s on 27th May 2017 at Villa Erba, Largo Luchino Visconti, 4, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy – Actress and singer Marlene Dietrich (1901 – 1992) Marlene’s Motor – 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport cabriolet by Franay – Estimate £1 million to £1.3 million ($1.3 million to $1.6 million, €1.2 million to €1.5 million or درهم4.8 million to درهم6 million) – To be sold by RM Sotheby’s on 27th May 2017 at Villa Erba, Largo Luchino Visconti, 4, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy – Actress and singer Marlene Dietrich (1901 – 1992)

  • A Marmite Aston

    A Marmite Aston

    One-of-one left-hand drive 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage convertible in ‘Fury Yellow’ to be sold; it is a prime example of 1980s excess and a car you will either love or loathe

     

    A 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante Zagato that was the only left-hand drive example produced is to be sold by auction in May. It is a car that you’ll either love or loathe and given it is presented in ‘Fury Yellow’, it certainly reflects the era when “greed was good” in terms of its brashness and noticeability.

     

    Capable of speeds of upto 183 miles per hour, the car offered was upgraded from a standard V585 V8 fuel-injected engine to a V580X Vantage engine by its original owner and also features a five-speed ZF manual gearbox. It has a specially styled black leather interior and a black mohair hood and is described as being “the essence of 1980s machismo”.

     

    A total of thirty-six right hand drive examples of this especially angular convertible were built. Two sold in 2013 and 2014 at Bonhams at their Aston Martin Works Sales at Newport Pagnell in England. Though each achieved just £135,900 ($176,000, €161,000 or درهم646,000), RM Sotheby’s estimate the ‘Fury Yellow’ version they are to sell at a much more ambitious £379,000 to £464,000 ($491,000 to $600,000, €450,000 to €550,000 or درهم1.8 million to درهم2.2 million). They will sell it at their Villa Erba sale on the shores of Lake Como in Italy on Saturday 27th May.

     

    A Marmite Aston – Fury Yellow 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante Zagato to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s at their Villa Erba sale on Saturday 27th May 2017 – £379,000 to £464,000 ($491,000 to $600,000, €450,000 to €550,000 or درهم1.8 million to درهم2.2 million)A Marmite Aston – Fury Yellow 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante Zagato to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s at their Villa Erba sale on Saturday 27th May 2017 – £379,000 to £464,000 ($491,000 to $600,000, €450,000 to €550,000 or درهم1.8 million to درهم2.2 million)A Marmite Aston – Fury Yellow 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante Zagato to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s at their Villa Erba sale on Saturday 27th May 2017 – £379,000 to £464,000 ($491,000 to $600,000, €450,000 to €550,000 or درهم1.8 million to درهم2.2 million)A Marmite Aston – Fury Yellow 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante Zagato to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s at their Villa Erba sale on Saturday 27th May 2017 – £379,000 to £464,000 ($491,000 to $600,000, €450,000 to €550,000 or درهم1.8 million to درهم2.2 million)A Marmite Aston – Fury Yellow 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante Zagato to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s at their Villa Erba sale on Saturday 27th May 2017 – £379,000 to £464,000 ($491,000 to $600,000, €450,000 to €550,000 or درهم1.8 million to درهم2.2 million)A Marmite Aston – Fury Yellow 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante Zagato to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s at their Villa Erba sale on Saturday 27th May 2017 – £379,000 to £464,000 ($491,000 to $600,000, €450,000 to €550,000 or درهم1.8 million to درهم2.2 million)A Marmite Aston – Fury Yellow 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante Zagato to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s at their Villa Erba sale on Saturday 27th May 2017 – £379,000 to £464,000 ($491,000 to $600,000, €450,000 to €550,000 or درهم1.8 million to درهم2.2 million)A Marmite Aston – Fury Yellow 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante Zagato to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s at their Villa Erba sale on Saturday 27th May 2017 – £379,000 to £464,000 ($491,000 to $600,000, €450,000 to €550,000 or درهم1.8 million to درهم2.2 million)A Marmite Aston – Fury Yellow 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante Zagato to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s at their Villa Erba sale on Saturday 27th May 2017 – £379,000 to £464,000 ($491,000 to $600,000, €450,000 to €550,000 or درهم1.8 million to درهم2.2 million)

  • Clocking a Porsche

    Clocking a Porsche

    1993 Porsche 911 with 6.2 miles on the clock to be auctioned; the price will astound

     

    A racetrack ready 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR that has just 6.2 miles (10 kilometres) on its clock is to be sold in Italy next month.

     

    The 3.8-litre fully race prepared car was special ordered and delivered in Polar Silver Metallic paint and trimmed in Can Can Red leather. It is one of only two RSR’s with a fully trimmed interior, is one of only 51 Carrera RSRs produced and is still covered in factory-applied Cosmoline coating.

     

    Capable of 0 – 60 miles per hour in just 3.7 seconds and quicker than a Ferrari F40, the car is estimated at £1.7 million to £1.9 million ($2.2 million to $2.4 million, €2 million to €2.2 million or درهم8 million to درهم8.8 million). RM Sotheby’s will sell it at their Villa Erba sale on the shores of Lake Como in Italy on Saturday 27th May.

     

    Clocking a Porsche – 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR with 6.2 miles on the clock to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s at their Villa Erba sale on Saturday 27th May 2017 – £1.7 million to £1.9 million ($2.2 million to $2.4 million, €2 million to €2.2 million or درهم8 million to درهم8.8 million)Clocking a Porsche – 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR with 6.2 miles on the clock to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s at their Villa Erba sale on Saturday 27th May 2017 – £1.7 million to £1.9 million ($2.2 million to $2.4 million, €2 million to €2.2 million or درهم8 million to درهم8.8 million)Clocking a Porsche – 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR with 6.2 miles on the clock to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s at their Villa Erba sale on Saturday 27th May 2017 – £1.7 million to £1.9 million ($2.2 million to $2.4 million, €2 million to €2.2 million or درهم8 million to درهم8.8 million)Clocking a Porsche – 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR with 6.2 miles on the clock to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s at their Villa Erba sale on Saturday 27th May 2017 – £1.7 million to £1.9 million ($2.2 million to $2.4 million, €2 million to €2.2 million or درهم8 million to درهم8.8 million)Clocking a Porsche – 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR with 6.2 miles on the clock to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s at their Villa Erba sale on Saturday 27th May 2017 – £1.7 million to £1.9 million ($2.2 million to $2.4 million, €2 million to €2.2 million or درهم8 million to درهم8.8 million) Clocking a Porsche – 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR with 6.2 miles on the clock to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s at their Villa Erba sale on Saturday 27th May 2017 – £1.7 million to £1.9 million ($2.2 million to $2.4 million, €2 million to €2.2 million or درهم8 million to درهم8.8 million)

  • Bigots & Baseball Caps

    Bigots & Baseball Caps

    Intolerance comes in many forms but the very worst kind is middle class hypocrisy

     

    In a week when Damien Hirst was told: “Go home!” by animal rights activists in Venice (who also dumped 40kg of dung outside where he is due to exhibit a non-animal related show at the Palazzo Grassi), I, myself, experienced the wrath of a middle class maniac.

     

    On Saturday, minding my own business, walking along a quiet South Kensington street, I was accosted by a well-dressed woman. She screeched at me: “Take that hat off. It promotes terrorism”.

     

    My crime? Wearing a William Evans baseball cap. The reasoning for her distaste? The cap was captioned: “Gun and rifle makers, 1883”.

     

    After I responded to this ridiculous individual by telling her: “I can wear whatever I wish” and she had had her chance to rant about about intolerance and extremism, I realized one sorry thing: Here, in front of me, stood was nothing but the worst kind of bigot.

     

    William Evans signature baseball caps are available for £25. Wear one at your peril.

     

  • Sugaring a Price

    Sugaring a Price

    1957 Bentley S1 Continental sports saloon that has been owned by both Sir Elton John and Lord Sugar for sale for a 243% higher sum than it achieved in 2007

     

    Owned by the temper tantrum prone Sir Elton John – a character known for his fondness for visits to the land of olive oil that is Italy – between 1976 and 2001, a 1957 Bentley Continental S1 sports saloon that was next owned by Alan “Call me Lord” Sugar.

     

    Last sold at a Bonhams auction in December 2007 for £144,500 (the equivalent of £181,000 or $226,000 or €213,000 or درهم‎‎829,000 today) on behalf of the businessman and reality television personality and registered ‘490 JLC’, the car is now offered for a figure 243% higher at £495,000 ($618,000 or €583,000 or درهم‎‎2.3 million) and features coachwork by H. J. Mulliner. It is capable of a top speed of 120 miles per hour, 100 miles per hour achievable in third gear and reaching 50 miles per hour in a little over 9 seconds.

     

    When introduced in 1955, the model was the most expensive car in the world and at that time Autocar described it as: “A modern magic carpet which annihilates great distances and delivers the occupants well-nigh as fresh as when they started”.

     

    Used in the UK for the first nine months of its original owner’s tenure and then in Gambia for just six months thereafter, the automatic, silver coloured car has undergone restorations by both Weybridge Automobiles and P&A Wood. It is now available through The Chelsea Workshop and of it they comment: “It is probably the best for sale today”.

     

    Sugar & Elton – 1957 Bentley Continental S1 sports saloon by H. J. Mulliner that has been owned by both Sir Elton John and Lord Sugar for sale for a 243% higher sum than it achieved in 2007 – £495,000 ($618,000 or €583,000 or درهم‎‎2.3 million) through The Chelsea Workshop Sugar & Elton – 1957 Bentley Continental S1 sports saloon by H. J. Mulliner that has been owned by both Sir Elton John and Lord Sugar for sale for a 243% higher sum than it achieved in 2007 – £495,000 ($618,000 or €583,000 or درهم‎‎2.3 million) through The Chelsea Workshop Sugar & Elton – 1957 Bentley Continental S1 sports saloon by H. J. Mulliner that has been owned by both Sir Elton John and Lord Sugar for sale for a 243% higher sum than it achieved in 2007 – £495,000 ($618,000 or €583,000 or درهم‎‎2.3 million) through The Chelsea Workshop

  • Nicola Radano – What’s on your mantelpiece?

    Nicola Radano – What’s on your mantelpiece?

    A 20-question interview with Nicola Radano, an Italian fashion blogger and founder of tie producers Spacca Neapolis

     

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

    Determination and loyalty.

     

    “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    “One can get rich at any moment, but if one has no class, one is always a beggar” – paraphrased from philosopher and connoisseur of Neapolitan culture Luciano De Crescenzo.

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?

    A lot of people.

     

    Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

    I miss being able to sail.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    Living in a world populated by principled people.

     

    Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

    The banking crisis was born to the low value given to the Euro. I have no words to say on that.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    “I can’t do it”.

     

    In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

    For me, it’s absolutely right to support both domestic and international charities. Helping someone who has little is the most gallant gesture that anyone can do.

     

    The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

    Smartphones are now improperly used by young children. This is harmful because many of them prefer using them to reading a good book.

     

    Nicola Radano – What’s on your mantelpiece? A 20-question interview with Nicola Radano, an Italian fashion blogger and founder of tie producers Spacca Neapolis
    Nicola Radano

     

    If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

    Only elegant men.

     

    If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

    A plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce by the sea.

     

    What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

    In the afternoon.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    A cup of Neapolitan coffee please.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    I like afternoon appetizers in the summer time. I find them most relaxing.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    My mum.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    Sleeping in late without being interrupted.

     

    If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

    A rudder.

     

    If you were a car, what marque would you be?

    A Porsche.

     

    Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

    That I’ve been able to create unexpected things from nothing.

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    Family photos, antique ashtrays and a clock.

     

    Nicola Radano declares his passion to be classical fashion and Neapolitan tailoring. He established a blog about the subject titled ‘Me, Myself & I’ in 2013 and launched his own firm of hand sewn tie producers, Spacca Neapolis, in 2016.

     

    Follow him on Instagram at @nicolaradano and on Facebook by clicking here.

     

     

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  • Five of the Best – Follies for sale

    Five of the Best – Follies for sale

    A selection of five of the best follies for sale in Britain and elsewhere

     

    A folly is unlikely to make an ideal home for a family, but for someone a little more quirky – a writer or artist perhaps – they can easily make an ideal home.

     

    Our selection of five of the best currently on offer follows:

     

    Church Brow Cottage, Kirkby Lonsdale, Lancashire – £280,000 ($367,000 or €328,000) through Davis & Bowring

    Five of the Best – Follies for sale A selection of five of the best follies for sale including ones in Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Lancashire and Connecticut, USAOriginally built by an eccentric vicar in the 1830s and spread over three floors, this Grade II* listed folly was restored by the now defunct Vivat Trust and opened as a holiday let by HRH The Prince of Wales in March 1993. It features in JMW Turner’s painting of what is known as ‘Ruskin’s View’ (sold for £217,250 in 2012) and includes one bedroom, a sitting room with a balcony, a kitchen and a bathroom. An informally landscaped leads down to the banks of the River Lune and access – on foot only – is via the adjoining graveyard.

     

    Treia, Macerata, Marche, Italy – £337,000 ($441,000 or €395,000) through Cella-Shirley Immobilliare

    Five of the Best – Follies for sale A selection of five of the best follies for sale including ones in Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Lancashire and Connecticut, USABuilt in medieval style in the 18th century, this “landmark building” outside the ancient walls of the town of Treia stands on a hill with about 2.5 acres of land including secular olive trees. A former farmhouse, the property needs complete renovation, currently consists of 8 rooms and a number of outbuildings and has been reduced in price from £440,000.

     

    The Summer House, Alderley, Gloucestershire – £990,000 ($1.3 million or €1.2 million) through Knight Frank

    Five of the Best – Follies for sale A selection of five of the best follies for sale including ones in Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Lancashire and Connecticut, USAGrade II listed and built circa 1770, The Summer House is a completely refurbished “perfect romantic weekend getaway” that is being sold fully furnished. Originally used as a small banqueting house by the great-great-grandson of Lord Chief Justice Matthew Hale, the 1,108 square foot Georgian property stands in 2.1 acres of gardens and woodland and features a sitting room, breakfast kitchen, two double bedrooms and a bathroom.

     

    The Tower, Sway, Hampshire – £2 million ($2.6 million or €2.3 million) through John D. Wood

    Five of the Best – Follies for sale A selection of five of the best follies for sale including ones in Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Lancashire and Connecticut, USABelieved to be the world’s tallest unreinforced concrete structure at 218-foot tall, Sway Tower – also known as Peterson’s Folly – was constructed between 1879 and 1886. The structure cost Andrew Peterson (1813 – 1906) some £30,000 (the equivalent of £3.4 million today) and came about after a medium told the Anglo-Indian barrister, socialist and spiritualist named that Sir Christopher Wren expected him to prove concrete could be used to create such an edifice. It now provides 4,707 square foot of accommodation over a total of 14 floors and includes 4 bedrooms, 3 en-suite bathrooms and a crucifix shaped ground floor with a drawing room, dining hall, sitting room, kitchen and conservatory. The top three floors of the Grade II* listed building are let to mobile telephone providers at an annual rate of some £34,000 and within the 0.7 acre plot, there’s also an indoor swimming pool, extensive garaging and a tennis court.

     

    Woodstock Castle, Connecticut, USA – £24.4 million ($32 million or €28.6 million) through Christie’s

    Five of the Best – Follies for sale A selection of five of the best follies for sale including ones in Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Lancashire and Connecticut, USADescribed as “just weird”, Woodstock Castle was built “for exotic women, exotic animals, both or neither” according to a 2008 feature by the Worcester Massachusetts Telegram. John Pizzi of Randall Realtors Christie’s International Real Estate takes a different view and describes the 18,177 square foot, 126-foot tall building as “majestic” and “a dream come true”. Used by its “colourful and impulsive” owner, importer-exporter Christopher W. Mark as a home for his family and his collection of emus, zebras and camels, this oddity comes with 9 bedrooms, an auditorium with a stage and 75 acres of land.

     

     

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  • A rich man’s Fiat

    A rich man’s Fiat

    Quirky Autobianchi Bianchina Transformabile to be auctioned (more…)

  • PJS’ Sacrifice

    PJS’ Sacrifice

    Super-injunction on reporting of a story of a ‘celebrity’ threesome lifted (but for now the individual still cannot yet be named) (more…)