Ascari FGT 'Prototype' Heads To Auction

Lee Noble was a car designer and founder of the British sports car company, Noble Automotive Ltd. Prior to forming the company, Noble presided over Noble Motorsport Ltd., which created a one-off-prototype version of the FGT in 1992 and had it registered for the road in June of 1993. The blueprints and rights were later acquired by Ascari Cars Ltd. In 1995, it was introduced to the public at the British International Motor Show where it impressed Klaas Zwart, a Dutch racing driver, who soon acquired the Ascari marque along with the rights to the FGT. Equipped with a Ford Modular V-8 engine, the FTG was entered into the 1996 British GT Championship. Only one prototype version was ever made and it severed many duties, including a promotional car in various Ascari brochures and advertisements, and for magazine road tests by selected journalists.

The Ascari FGT Prototype was equipped with a 6.0-liter, mid-mounted, Chevrolet V8 engine with ARP components and developed approximately 420 horsepower. There is a five-speed manual transmission, electric windows, and electric door mirrors. The exterior is finished in metallic green over a two-tone grey and black leather interior. The seats, center console and upper door cards are upholstered in grey leather, with the dashboard and lower door cards trimmed in black leather. There is an Imola steering wheel with a 'Noble' push in the center and a Sony CDX-5060 stereo with a CD player.

The Ascari lay dormant in farm buildings when it was discovered by its current caretaker, and it is believed that this is where it resided for thirteen years. After acquiring the vehicle, the current owner set about a three-year recommissioning process, where the owner - alongside Lee Noble - worked together to revive the prototype. Mechanical work included rebuilding the Chevy V8 and gearbox, and upgrading the fuel injection system to a new MSD ECU unit.

The car, chassis number NMSASC0001P93, is scheduled to cross RM Sotheby's block at their London auction on November 6, 2021. It has a pre-auction estimated value of £60,000 - £80,000 GBP.

Photo credit: Tom Gidden / RM Sothebys
posted on conceptcarz.com

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