British Brawn At Bonhams Bond Street

HOME-GROWN HIGH PERFORMANCE COLLECTORS’ CARS OFFERED AT 19 MAY SALE: A selection of mighty home-grown high-performance motor cars, produced by great British marques from Rolls-Royce to MG, and including no fewer than 11 Aston Martins, will be offered in the Bonhams Bond Street Sale on Wednesday 19 May.

Link to catalogue: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/27194/ 

Of the 26 carefully-selected motor cars offered, more than a third are adorned by the Aston Martin badge, with lots ranging from a 1930 1 ½-litre International ‘Short Chassis’ sports tourer (estimate £120,000 – 160,000) to a 1986 V8 Volante (estimate £60,000 – 90,000). Eight of the Aston Martins are offered without reserve.

Leading the pack is a beautiful 1968 DB6 Volante, estimate £400,000 – 500,000 – the convertible variant of the ultimate ‘gentleman’s Express’ and the pinnacle of 1960s open-top motoring. One of 140 Mark 1 DB6 Volantes produced, this example is offered with matching numbers, manual transmission and desirable ‘triple-black’ colour scheme, complemented by chrome wire wheels.

One of the oldest cars at Bonhams Bond Street

One of the oldest cars in the sale is a 1927 Bentley 3/4½-litre Speed Model Sports, estimate £280,000 – 340,000. A pre-war tourer from Bentley’s golden age, produced in its second year of winning Le Mans.

Originally a four-seat tourer, this Bentley was rebodied by London’s Corsica Coachworks into a two-seater sports model under the instruction of a later owner, Forrest Lycett. A gentleman racer and one of the founders of the Bentley Driver’s Club, Lycett was noted for setting a British standing-start mile record in an 8-litre Bentley at Brooklands in 1939 (he famously drove to the Surrey track from his job in the City of London, broke the record and was back at his desk soon afterwards).

A later owner was ‘Vintage’ racer ‘Jonty’ Williamson, who enjoyed considerable success in the Bentley, winning the BDC’s Rolls-Royce Trophy on four occasions, as well as the VSCC’s Pomeroy Trophy and Richard Seaman Memorial Trophy. The pair also regularly contested the Brighton Speed Trials.

One of only 10…

…Left hand drive of the 26 cars powered by a Ford 2.6-litre engine, this example has been owned by the present owner since 1971, when it was purchased for £700. It was taken off the road four years later and then finally treated to a full restoration, including engine rebuild, between 1994 and 2006. The Ace has served as the owner’s wedding car ( in 2013) and has covered 27,000 miles since its restoration, taking in several continental tours and a road trip to the Arctic Circle.

Recently restored by a marque specialist, this roadster is finished in ‘Briggs Cunningham’ livery of blue and white in homage to the American entrepreneur, yachtsman and pioneer champion of road racing in the USA. Ready to race, it is offered with FIA papers valid until 2030.

De Tomasos At Bonhams Bond Street

The British contingent’s rivals at the rostrum include a duo of rare and exotic De Tomasos, the eponymous sportscar company founded by Argentinian political activist and critic of Peron. De Tomaso fled from his homeland for Modena in Italy, then the home of the European motor industry, where he started building single-seater sports cars, but became more famous for his later ‘wedge-shaped’ sports cars like the pair offered.

One of just 50 ‘single-headlight’ variants of the Ghia-designed Mangusta, identified by its striking lines and gullwing engine covers. Imported from California to the UK in 2008, when purchased by the vendor, the Coupé has undergone a seven-year restoration to concours condition.

1982 De Tomaso Pantera GT5, estimate £120,000 – 160,000. Designed by Ghia’s Tom Tjaarda, this mid-engined sportscar – and supercar of its day – is immediately recognised by its imposing rear wing. One of only 18 believed right-hand drive examples, this supercar has been the subject of a recent 18-month restoration and is powered by an upgraded 6.3-litre V8 engine.

The Bond Street Sale is the first live auction for the Bonhams UK motor car team this year, starting at 3pm on Wednesday 19 May, with bids accepted from clients in the room (respecting social distancing and all local COVID-related guidelines), with limited public admission by prior appointment.

More highlights

The sale will also be streamed and available on the Bonhams App, which provides registered bidders the opportunity to bid in real time online via Bonhams.com while watching the auctioneer and videos of cars on offer. Absentee and telephone bids are also encouraged.

Pre-sale viewing will take place in the New Bond Street salerooms on Tuesday 18 May 9am to 5pm and Wednesday 19 May 9am to 3pm.

To register to view and bid, contact: ukcars@bonhams.com