So you think your 928 has some provenance? Try this one!
09-27-2017, 12:47 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
So you think your 928 has some provenance? Try this one!
About 15 years ago I was visiting Tehran when an Iranian friend of mine suggested we take a visit to the [former] Shah's Saadabad Palace in northern Tehran as there was an exhibition of some of his collection of classic cars in the [beautiful] palace gardens- no need to hesitate on that one- 5 minutes later we were in the chaotic Tehran traffic working our way up the mountains to the palace grounds.
Upon arrival we were directed to the exhibition area and after a nice walk we arrived at the exhibition. From memory there were some 30 cars on show - a small selection from the overall collection of some 140 vehicles. Needless to say guess what caught my eye? Just in front of me was this black on pasha 928 - allegedly one of the very first 928's ever delivered- presented to the Shah at his residence in Switzerland.
My friend was talking to the show's organisers and when I said I would like to take a look at the "928" they immediately asked me if I knew anything about the car to wit I told them I had owned a later model for a few years. At that point they whisked me over to the car and asked me what I knew about it! It turned out that the collection had been in a warehouse since the revolution and they were hoping to open a permanent museum with the full collection. The car did not work and they had no clue as to what to do about it. At that point they asked me if I would do an interview for national television sat in the car and did not need to be asked twice. Within minutes I was sat where few have ever sat [they normally do not allow anyone inside these cars] and the the interviewer and camera were just outside the open driver's door. 10 minutes later the interview was over and some press photographs were taken but unfortunately I did not have a camera with me and no record of the event. Whether the footage was ever aired I have no idea. The curator of the collection gave me a guided tour of the exhibits and invited me to make personal visit to the warehouse where they were stashed in Western Tehran that I was never able to take him up on. After a nice lunch at the palace restaurant we said goodbye - a very happy memory- it is not every day one gets to sit where such a historical figure once plonked his butt!
Wind the clock on some 15 years to today. I was doing an internet search and came across an article about this 928 written by the French chap who drove a GT to Iran a couple of years ago. Lo and behold it seems the planned museum is now open and he took some pics of the car in its permanent resting place- see below. The mileage is just the same as it was when I was sat in the cockpit [also pictured]- 297 km!
Not only is this car unique in the sense of its original owner it must also be one of the lowest milers in existence. What value that?
The article can be found here:
http://www.flussigmagazine.com/11/po...irans-928.html
Upon arrival we were directed to the exhibition area and after a nice walk we arrived at the exhibition. From memory there were some 30 cars on show - a small selection from the overall collection of some 140 vehicles. Needless to say guess what caught my eye? Just in front of me was this black on pasha 928 - allegedly one of the very first 928's ever delivered- presented to the Shah at his residence in Switzerland.
My friend was talking to the show's organisers and when I said I would like to take a look at the "928" they immediately asked me if I knew anything about the car to wit I told them I had owned a later model for a few years. At that point they whisked me over to the car and asked me what I knew about it! It turned out that the collection had been in a warehouse since the revolution and they were hoping to open a permanent museum with the full collection. The car did not work and they had no clue as to what to do about it. At that point they asked me if I would do an interview for national television sat in the car and did not need to be asked twice. Within minutes I was sat where few have ever sat [they normally do not allow anyone inside these cars] and the the interviewer and camera were just outside the open driver's door. 10 minutes later the interview was over and some press photographs were taken but unfortunately I did not have a camera with me and no record of the event. Whether the footage was ever aired I have no idea. The curator of the collection gave me a guided tour of the exhibits and invited me to make personal visit to the warehouse where they were stashed in Western Tehran that I was never able to take him up on. After a nice lunch at the palace restaurant we said goodbye - a very happy memory- it is not every day one gets to sit where such a historical figure once plonked his butt!
Wind the clock on some 15 years to today. I was doing an internet search and came across an article about this 928 written by the French chap who drove a GT to Iran a couple of years ago. Lo and behold it seems the planned museum is now open and he took some pics of the car in its permanent resting place- see below. The mileage is just the same as it was when I was sat in the cockpit [also pictured]- 297 km!
Not only is this car unique in the sense of its original owner it must also be one of the lowest milers in existence. What value that?
The article can be found here:
http://www.flussigmagazine.com/11/po...irans-928.html
09-27-2017, 01:26 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
Wow, a very early pascha car with near zero miles, owned by a famous individual. Estimate $150K plus (for doubters, look up Derick Bells Club sport auction sale price)
09-27-2017, 08:17 PM
#7
Cool story. That French chap who snapped the photos is Philippe Delaporte. Very nice fellow who I got to meet when he passed through Seattle last summer during he and his son's trip around the world in that same GT.
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09-28-2017, 02:03 PM
#9
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
The mileage is genuine- of that I am pretty sure. Assuming they have now got a permanent premises I would think it is only a question of time before they get it running. There was also a school of thought that wanted to keep these cars exactly as they were the day the Shah left Iran.
The palaces have been restored in the interim years and I understand they made a real nice job of them. Maybe they will follow suit with these artifacts. They also have a collection somewhere of cars that pre-date the Shah covering the first half of the 20th Century that included some interesting Rolls Royces and Mercedes vehicles.
09-28-2017, 06:55 PM
#10
Sunroof, auto, ran when parked...two grand tops...lol.
Yes, it would be nice to see it cleaned up, sure looks dusty/dirty underneath...not seeing much coating on bolts and such. Anyhow, interesting car and thank you for sharing.
Brian.
Yes, it would be nice to see it cleaned up, sure looks dusty/dirty underneath...not seeing much coating on bolts and such. Anyhow, interesting car and thank you for sharing.
Brian.
09-28-2017, 07:12 PM
#11
Rennlist Member
What a find! 297km!
I'm sure Drooman will be on a plane to Tehran within a few minutes to try to grab that one! Going to be tough to get it past customs without a serious probing!!!!
Enjoy!
I'm sure Drooman will be on a plane to Tehran within a few minutes to try to grab that one! Going to be tough to get it past customs without a serious probing!!!!
Enjoy!
09-28-2017, 10:35 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
I would think this would need a complete take down and rebuild, replacing all rubber, and things from being left alone for 30 plus years, and not driven.
