Ecurie Ecosse auction

Dick Skipworth’s Ecurie Ecosse collection, one of the finest single-theme collections ever assembled, will be sold in December. His fleet celebrates the small but enthusiastic Scottish team that won Le Mans in 1956 and ’57, plus a host of other sports car victories into the 1960s. Ecosse drivers included Jimmy and Jackie Stewart, Innes Ireland and Masten Gregory.

Chief item in the Bonhams sale on December 1 will be the famous Commer transporter specially built for the team in 1960, which Skipworth restored and takes to all the big historic meetings, often loaded with the C, D and XK120 which are also part of the sale.

“It’s such a reliable and efficient way of moving old cars,” Skipworth said, admitting to a trace of “seller’s remorse”. He added: “I’m 76 now and have had 20 years of fun from these cars, so it’s time.”

Other Ecosse racers in the sale include the Tojeiro-Jaguar, Tojeiro-Buick, CooperMonaco and Sebring Sprite. “It would be nicest if they all went to the same place,” said Skipworth, “and perfect if they went to Scotland.”

Skipworth, whose cars have often been raced by Barrie Williams, is keeping a Lynx D-type that he often drives on the road. “That’s the car that began it all,” he says, “and I love it.”

Paul Lawrence