London, UK -- A unique series of one-off customs designed by leading UK customiser, Andy Saunders joined the line-up of close to a hundred vintage motor cars for RM Auctions' 'Automobiles of London' event held in association with Sotheby's, on October 28-29 at London's Battersea Park.
Regarded as the UK's top custom car builder, Saunders has been at the forefront of wild car creations for almost 30 years, having built over 40 individual customs and restored a number of classics. It is, however, his unique, off the wall designs and drivable 'car sculptures' that have earned him the most critical acclaim and attracted global media attention.
One journalist described Saunders as an 'automotive alchemist' for he 'turned base cars into gold'. This October the customiser shared his designs with other automotive enthusiasts to make room in his garages for new creations. Eleven of his cars went cross the block as part of RM Auctions' London event.
"The Andy Saunders Collection is best described as rolling works of modern art," says Max Girardo, European Division Managing Director of Canadian-based RM Auctions.
"Each piece effortlessly melds Saunders remarkable passion for cars with his artistic talents, wild imagination and creative vision. It is drivable art in the truest sense," he added.
Included in the auction line-up was everything from Saunders' infamous and ever popular 1983 Citroen 2CV6 "Picasso Citroen", -- a multi-coloured and totally asymmetric creation which was built as if designed by Picasso --, through to his 1989 Fiat 126 "Flat Out", a radical sports car standing just under 55 centimeters.
An ideal city car was this radically shortened 1961 Mini Ha Ha. This Austin Mini was cut into three pieces and shortened by 79 centimeters, making it only 147 centimeters-long. The third of a trio built, the Mini Haha represents the closest Andy has ever gotten to production with his designs usually limited to one-off creations.
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| 1998 Suzuki Wagon R The Alchimist |
Regarded as the UK's top custom car builder, Saunders has been at the forefront of wild car creations for almost 30 years, having built over 40 individual customs and restored a number of classics. It is, however, his unique, off the wall designs and drivable 'car sculptures' that have earned him the most critical acclaim and attracted global media attention.
One journalist described Saunders as an 'automotive alchemist' for he 'turned base cars into gold'. This October the customiser shared his designs with other automotive enthusiasts to make room in his garages for new creations. Eleven of his cars went cross the block as part of RM Auctions' London event.
"The Andy Saunders Collection is best described as rolling works of modern art," says Max Girardo, European Division Managing Director of Canadian-based RM Auctions.
"Each piece effortlessly melds Saunders remarkable passion for cars with his artistic talents, wild imagination and creative vision. It is drivable art in the truest sense," he added.
Included in the auction line-up was everything from Saunders' infamous and ever popular 1983 Citroen 2CV6 "Picasso Citroen", -- a multi-coloured and totally asymmetric creation which was built as if designed by Picasso --, through to his 1989 Fiat 126 "Flat Out", a radical sports car standing just under 55 centimeters.
An ideal city car was this radically shortened 1961 Mini Ha Ha. This Austin Mini was cut into three pieces and shortened by 79 centimeters, making it only 147 centimeters-long. The third of a trio built, the Mini Haha represents the closest Andy has ever gotten to production with his designs usually limited to one-off creations.
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| 1961 Austin Mini Ha Ha! |