LONDON.- It was full steam ahead for
Bonhams London to Brighton Sale today, 3 November, with an astonishing 91% of the magnificent veteran motor cars, quads and tricycles selling by value.
The highlight of the sale was the 1903 Panhard et Levassor Model B 10hp Four-Cylinder Rear-Entrance Tonneau, which achieved 326,667. The exquisite 1902 Westfield Model G 13hp Twin-Cylinder Four-Seat Rear-Entrance Tonneau (200,000-220,000) caught the eye of a number of bidders both on the telephones and in the packed saleroom, eventually selling to a UK buyer for an impressive 287,100.
Estimates were exceeded throughout the sale, with models such as the 1903 Darracq Model H 12hp Twin-Cylinder Rear-Entrance Tonneau achieving 203,100 against a pre-sale estimate of 120,000-160,000.
The magnificent 1896 Salvesen Steam Cart (150,000-200,000) delighted Mayfair crowds before the sale as it puffed down Bond Street, and similarly captivated the assembled bidders, selling for 158,300.
An important single-owner European collection performed very well, with the 1898 Germain 6hp Twin-Cylinder Open Drive Limousine (150,000-220,000) achieving 225,500, the 1901 Hurtu Type H 4hp Rear-Entrance Tonneau selling for 63,100, and the 1899 Vivinus 3hp Two-Seater Voiturette reaching 58,620, more than double its pre-sale estimate of 20,000-25,000.
Quadricycles and tricycles were popular at the sale, with the 1901 Royal Enfield 4hp Forecar Quadricycle (25,000-30,000) achieving 50,600 and the c.1900 De Dion Bouton Quadricycle (30,000-35,000) realising 51,750. The 1901 Singer Motorwheel Tricycle achieved more than double its estimate of 25,000-35,000 when it sold for 65,340.
James Knight, Group Motoring Chairman, commented: ‘The results achieved at Bonhams today show that the appetite for these extraordinary veteran machines remains very strong indeed. This was one of our largest ever London to Brighton Sales, and the range of vehicles on offer was remarkable. We look forward to seeing many of them at the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run on Sunday.’
Several motor cars in the sale come with entry to the prestigious Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, which takes place on Sunday 5 November, with the first car leaving the Hyde Park starting point at 7am.
