Celebrated chef and classic car collector James Martin is selling his ultra-rare Alfa Romeo at RM Sotheby’s highly anticipated Woodcote Park Auction on Wednesday 8th July, following an ambitious restoration totalling almost £90k.
Set to be one of the standout attractions, the showstopping coachbuilt Alfa Romeo 1900 Speciale is among headline consignments at the prestigious 2026 Royal Automobile Club Concours.
The handcrafted 1976 Alfa Romeo Sports Coupé model is among the rarest Italian coachbuilt cars in existence. The vintage vehicle has been the subject of a meticulous and deeply personal six-year restoration programme overseen by James himself.
“It’s a beautiful thing and I love it!” says the motoring enthusiast chef, who acquired his captivating car in 2018. “It holds a very special place in my heart.”
The sale of significant collector automobiles adds an exciting new dimension to the award-winning Concours, with the TV chef’s exceptional retro masterpiece believed to be one of just eight examples built by revered Italian coachbuilder Autotecnica del Lario (ATL).
A very small boutique carrozzeria (coach-building company) formerly based near Lake Como, Lombardy, fittingly for such a stunning part of Italy, ATL produced some of the “golden era’s” finest sports cars, earning a reputation for creating attractive automobiles in extraordinarily limited numbers.
“One of only a handful ever made, they produced these from the late ’60s to the early ’70s, this one being a later model,” James reveals. “It’s everything that I love about Italian cars.”
Featuring unique design details and distinguishing characteristics, he says each car varied. “Some fins are slightly different, but the back end is the same on all of them.”
The super-rare, seldom-seen coachbuilt car, which you almost certainly won’t find at any other motoring event in the world, also sports influences from other 50s/60s cars, complete with components reminiscent of the Aston Martin DB3.
The chef’s curvaceous car underwent a complete strip-down, seeing bespoke bodywork, chassis and mechanical components, plus new twin-Weber carburettors fitted to the engine.
“Every single part’s been taken apart and remade or restored, all tailormade for this car,” explains the avid automobile collector. “It’s been a challenge because we did it properly, with total attention to detail nose-to-tail. It’s clean on top and just as clean underneath.”
You can’t buy these parts off the shelf, resulting in these often-bespoke automotive treasures rarely coming to market.
“The guy in charge of the restoration has looked after my 275 and other cars in my collection and XF 1 mechanics worked on it, too. So, real attention detail, with everything specifically made. That’s why it took four-and-a-half years.”
Homage to the legendary Berlinettas
James’ ATL Sports Coupé’s handcrafted aluminium coachwork pays homage to the legendary racing Berlinettas of the 1950s and is constructed over a lightweight Superleggera-style, tubular steel ‘birdcage’ chassis, built to Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva specification.
The ultimate boys’ toy, the celeb chef’s car boasts a 105 series Alfa Romeo engine and all the running gearbox, but that’s where the Alfa Romeo component of this particular ATL ends; everything else is completely bespoke.
Powered by Alfa’s celebrated twin-cam engine, producing more than 100bhp, combined with the coupé’s kerb weight of less than 800kg, it delivers an agile, engaging and highly rewarding driving experience.
“It weighs nothing, you’ve got a 2.0-litre engine in there and it goes really, really well,” says the much-loved chef.
RM Sotheby’s estimate the exquisite Alfa Romeo will sell for between £250,000-£350,000, although famed petrolhead James believes that’s great value.
“When you look at it, you’d think it could be worth three times that.”
With its 60s feel, this early-mid 70s car owned by the renowned car enthusiast could be 15 years older. “It’s a beautiful-looking car, it sounds fantastic and it’s a great car to drive.”
Inside, the exceptional motor boasts a classic ’60s sports GT touch, complete with a diamond-quilted cover over the transmission tunnel and sills. “That was a standard finish when they when they did it in period. Internally, I wanted to keep that nice, rich 1960s look, so we went for a dark chocolate tan leather.”
With only around eight produced, this sensational car is extremely rare. Evocative and beautifully restored, its unique coachwork coupled with its fascinating backstory are sure to draw ample attention.
Classic car fanatic James was won over when it originally came up for sale. What caught his eye with the ATL?
“Well, I’m a big ’60s fan and a lot of my private collection is from then, Ferraris in particular. The ’60s were iconic in terms of styling and you could still see a lot of that in this car. The back end appealed because it was a 250 Short Wheelbase; my favourite car ever made. And I love the wide wheel arches. It’s just got that look to it.”
Along with the 60s styling, the colour was important. “It was red when I bought it but we wanted to pick that nice tone of red, that lovely Alfa red, and that matches with the interior.”
“Initially, the roof was flat, and I wanted to keep that ’60s feel, adding a Zagato-style ‘double-bubble’ top to make it more usable and easier for people to drive. I think collectors now want a classic car they can use as well. I’m 6’3” and can fit in it. It’s a squeeze but I can drive it!”
“It’s a very, very special car. I’ll be sad to see it go.”
Alongside the James Martin-owned Alfa Romeo, the RM Sotheby’s Woodcote Park Auction will feature a carefully curated selection of significant collector cars, including road and racing icons from some of the world’s most celebrated marques, from Aston Martin, Ferrari, Frazer Nash to McLaren and Porsche.
The auction runs alongside the second staging of the Royal Automobile Club Concours, with the competitive event featuring around 70 outstanding vehicles, judged by a panel of leading experts across seven prestigious concours categories, culminating in an overall winner.
In addition to the concours entries, special feature displays will see over 200 rare and eclectic cars spread across Surrey’s rolling green hills, accompanied by special anniversary tributes, fascinating engines, historic motorcycles and some of today’s most desirable supercars.
With live music, delectable food and chilled champagne to boot, the exciting event promises a memorable day out for motoring enthusiasts.
