Bonhams finished the year with its annual sale of Important Collectors’ Motor Cars & Fine Automobilia at London’s Olympia on December 7th, 2009, resulting in total sales of £3.7 million and 95% of lots sold by value.
First in the line-up was a 1906 Rolls-Royce Light 20hp Tourer, one of only two survivors of the 17 built when the company was in its infancy and the sixth oldest Rolls-Royce remaining sold for £441,500. Following World War II, this unusual and historically significant motorcar was bought by Rolls-Royce aficionado Stanley Sears, joining his prestigious collection of veteran motor cars. When the collection was dispersed in 1983, this fully-restored model passed to Thomas Love who already owned the world’s oldest Rolls Royce (later sold by Bonhams for a record £3.5m in 2007).
Other highlights include a 1963 AC Cobra 289 MkI Roadster that sold for £232,500 whilst four cars from the collection of the late Ivor Silverstone sold for a very significant total of £393,200. A particular highlight of the collection was the 1953 Bentley R-Type 4.6-litre Coupé Coachwork by Abbott which sold for a staggering £109,200 (estimated £40,000-50,000).
James Knight, Group Head of Bonhams Motoring Department commented on the sale, “Yesterday’s Collectors’ Motor Cars and Automobilia Sale caps a tremendous year for the Bonhams Motoring Department, demonstrating that the collectors’ motor car, motorcycle and automobilia sectors have maintained great strength and resilience. We are delighted with the sale result and look forward to an equally successful 2010.”
2009 Bonhams Olympia Auction Result Highlights
[Source: Bonhams]
