The sole Fixed Head Coupe Invicta S-Type, a Pebble Beach award-winner, is set to be auctioned, promising unrivaled automotive history and elegance.
A rare and extraordinary piece of automotive history, the 1931 Invicta S-Type 4½-Litre Low Chassis Fixed Head Coupe, affectionately known as “Sea-Bear,” is set to go under the hammer at Broad Arrow Auctions on February 15, 2025. Offered without reserve from the prestigious Academy of Art University Collection, this one-of-a-kind vehicle is expected to fetch between $450,000 and $650,000.
A Marque of Innovation and Prestige
The Invicta S-Type is revered for its groundbreaking engineering and motorsport success. With its innovative “underslung” chassis design, the S-Type achieved a low center of gravity that set new benchmarks for handling and performance. Powered by a 4.5-liter Meadows six-cylinder engine delivering 100 horsepower, the car was capable of reaching nearly 100 mph—a remarkable feat for its time.
This performance translated into racing glory, with notable victories at the Monte Carlo Rally and record-setting runs at Brooklands and Shelsley Walsh. The Invicta S-Type quickly cemented its status as one of Britain’s premier sporting marques.
Chassis S57: The Sole Fixed Head Coupe
Chassis S57 is the only Fixed Head Coupe ever produced on the S-Type platform, making it a true automotive unicorn. First registered in 1931 and originally finished in a two-tone red and dark green livery, the car’s storied ownership includes British collector Robert McLaren, who held it for 39 years, and French collector André Trigano.
After joining the Academy of Art University Collection in 2011, “Sea-Bear” underwent a meticulous restoration nearing $1 million. The car was refinished in a striking blue exterior with red leather upholstery, a nod to its elegance and sporting pedigree. The restoration earned the car the Montagu of Beaulieu Trophy at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
A Rare Opportunity
Having covered only 51 miles since its restoration, this concours-grade S-Type is an ideal entrant for the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where Invicta’s centennial will be celebrated. With just 77 S-Type chassis ever produced and 56 known survivors, this Fixed Head Coupe stands apart as a unique, meticulously preserved example of automotive excellence.
For collectors and enthusiasts, the sale of chassis S57 offers a rare chance to own a piece of motoring history that will be welcomed at the most prestigious automotive events worldwide.
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