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01/05/2003
28th April 2003 - Auction Review - Bonhams at Hendon, RAF Museum

The spring Sale of Collectors' Motor Cars, Cycles, Automobilia, Toys & Models, held by Bonhams at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, attracted a large number of new bidders, with many international clients on the telephones. The sale realised more than £700,000 with 75 per cent of lots finding new owners.

Top price of the sale was £168,700 for the 1899 Benz 31/2hp Velo. This beautiful piece of machinery from the 19th century is one of the most original Victorian Benz cars in existence, having been in the same family ownership from new. It was offered in original condition, apart from the upholstery, which had been replaced following damage by a flying bomb in the war. The vehicle was bought by a collector from the Middle East, following a lengthy battle on the telephone against an American bidder.

Other highlights included:

1976 Ferrari 365GT4 Berlinetta Boxer - sold for £35,255. The Boxer, which made its debut at the 1971 Turin Show, is considered to be one of the greatest Ferraris ever. This example is believed to have been the last one imported to the UK.

1965 Daimler V8 250 Sports Saloon - sold for £27,025. Formerly the property of the late King Hussein of Jordan, this superb V8 was presented in excellent condition.

1962 Citroën ID19 Decapotable, Coachwork by Chapron - sold for £25,300 This model of the Citroen, representing one of the most charismatic French cars of its era, is now very rare and desirable for collectors. It was restored in the UK in 1998.

c.1899 Allen Runabout - sold for £23,000. The Property of Sir Stirling Moss, OBE, the car, bearing the number '101', could be the first that G Edgar Allen produced and is believed to be the sole surviving example.

Top price achieved in the Sale of Automobilia was for the C K Bowers photographic archive of glass plate negatives, which sold for an astounding £65,300. Another lot, which attracted much interest, was the painting by Terence Cuneo depicting Geoffrey De Havilland taking off in 1909. It realised £9,315.

Of the large selection of bicycles and tricycles included in the sale, the exceptionally rare 'Back to Back' childs' lever driven tandem tricycle, circa 1877, proved to be the most expensive, selling for £17,825.

Tim Schofield, Head of Collectors' Car Department at Bonhams, commented after the sale: "I was delighted with the results of our second sale of the year held at the Royal Air Museum. The outstanding price we achieved for the 1899 Benz demonstrates, as it did in our previous Hendon sale, that Bonhams continues to dominate the veteran market."

For a full listing, see the Provisional Auction Results

Text - Bonhams

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