ERA R4D sells for £400,000

ERA R4D, perhaps the most celebrated chassis in the marque’s history, was sold by Brooks last month for £406,300. It will be back on the circuits next season after a lengthy sabbatical.

The ex-works development car which won the first two RAC British Hillclimb Championships in 1947-48, had been owned by Indian brewing magnate Vijay Mallya since Brooks’ inaugural Festival of Speed sale in 1993. It had previously been unbeatable in VSCC racing with the late Anthony Mayman. At least two of the other 16 A-D-type chassis built in the 1930s found new custodians last year. American enthusiast Jerome Morici bought R I A, while Ecurie Ecosse fanatic Dick Skipworth has acquired R3A. The irrepressible Barrie Williams is set to race it in ’99.