Veteran star cars at Bonhams
Veteran motor cars, quads and tricycles drove the buyers to Bonhams’ recent London to Brighton sale, with 91% selling by value, led by a 1903 Panhard et Levassor Model B 10hp four-cylinder rear entrance tonneau.
The Panhard et Levassor sold for £326,667 at the sale on November 3, while a 1902 Westfield Model G 13hp twin-cylinder four-seat rear-entrance tonneau with a pre-sale estimate of £200,000-220,000, sold to a British buyer for £287,100.
Throughout the sale various estimates were exceeded, such as the 1903 Darracq Model H 12hp twin-cylinder rear-entrance tonneau, which achieved £203,100 against a pre-sale estimate of £120,000-160,000.
A magnificent 1896 Salvesen steam cart (estimate £150,000-200,000) delighted the crowds at the Mayfair auction room as it puffed down Bond Street, and similarly captivated the assembled bidders, selling for £158,300.
Elsewhere, 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 4½hp rear-entrance tonneau selling for £63,100, and the 1899 Vivinus 3½hp 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 4½hp 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 came with entry to the prestigious Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, which took place on Sunday November 5.