Phil Hill is an American hero, our first world champion, a versatile driver who took on sports cars and Grand Prix cars with equal mastery, and, if you were ever lucky enough to meet him, a humble and decent man.
He was also something of a collector, or you could say, a pack rat. It seems he never got rid of anything, at least nothing racing- and car-related. So by the time he left us only a few years ago, the Hill house in Santa Monica, California, was packed with memories of an extraordinary life. Now almost all of it is for sale.
Gooding & Co. is in the middle of three auctions of Phil Hill automobilia. The first auction, The Phil Hill Automobilia Collection, ended already, but one is going on right now and will be live till Feb. 19. That one is called Phil Hill/A Life in Racing. The third and final auction, Treasures From the Hill Garage, will go live from March 15-26. If you’re reading Autoweek, there will be something there that you will not only cherish, but that you can actually afford.
Phil’s 1957 SCCA Santa Barbara Road Races Trophy and program have a low estimate of $500. Same with the 1957 Palm Springs Road Races Trophy. The Bahamas Speed Weeks trophy has a low estimate of just $400. You have that much laying around! And you’re supporting the lovely Hill family!
There are other items, ranging from driver’s suits to helmets, to those “Driver” or “Fahrer” armbands from back in the day. Just browsing through the catalog is a joy.
“It’s been a long road since the earliest I remember forming an idea of who my father was in the world of motor sports, to being a racing driver myself, and then carrying on as a custodian of a legacy,” said Derek Hill. “The time has come to bring these cherished items into the daylight.
“These objects, each reflecting a time and place, a moment in history that lives on through the vibrant collector community and motor sport enthusiasts are now available for viewing and bidding at Gooding & Company’s website, Goodingco.com.”
So check ‘em out. Chances are you’ll find something just perfect for your coffee table or trophy shelf.
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