Top 10 auctioneer's picks from the Bonhams Revival sale

The Healey Archive – everything from Donald’s diaries between 1950 and ’66, pictures, models, drawings of new cars and even the keys to the workshops – is the undoubted star of a massive automobilia selection.

As for the cars, there are 110 up for grabs this year, from a 1960 Ford Anglia Deluxe for £14,000 to assorted Bentleys, Aston Martins and Ferraris with guide prices of more than half a million. Not forgetting the odd classic pick-up truck and fuel tanker…plus three vintage aircraft. 

The sale gets under way in the Bonhams marquee ‘Over the Road’ at 11.00 on Saturday 9 September. In the chair will be Bonhams head of the motor cars department Tim Schofield. We cornered Tim ahead of the sale for his “auctioneer’s choice” of 10 highlights…

1. 1927 Bentley 3-Litre Speed 

Claim to fame? Ex-Lieutenant Commander Christopher Tomkinson/Darell Berthon.

Says Tim: Great history, owned by one of the greatest Bentley enthusiasts. A good example of the archetypal vintage sports car in the best spec available.

Guide price: £250,000-300,000.

2. 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 'BML 9A’

Claim to fame? The ex-John Willment Racing team car, driven by ‘Gentleman Jack’ Sears to the 1963 British Saloon Car Championship.

Says Tim: “Seven litres of uncatchable V8” as the car was called at the time. With legendary Gentleman Jack at the wheel, it put an end to Jaguar's dominance of British saloon racing and is an icon of British motorsport history.

Guide price: £180,000-220,000.

3. 1935 Lagonda LG 45 4 1/2 Litre

Claim to fame? The ex-Alan Good/Doreen Good works entry for 1936 Monte Carlo Rally, with known ownership history throughout and extensively documented in published works. Among the fastest road cars of its generation, it was the first Lagonda overseen by W O Bentley.

Says Tim: It’s still rallying across the continent without any troubles. Such a genuinely usable vintage rally car for events like the Flying Scotsman and Gran Premio Nuvolari.

Guide price: £250,000-300,000.

4. 1961 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I Works

Claim to fame? The ex-Peter Riley/Tony Ambrose 1961 Acropolis Rally class winner, and a car owned by Rauno Aaltonen.

Says Tim: It’s a genuine works car with an outstanding competition history, and is very rare and seriously original – certainly the purest survivor of its type. It is priced to sell and would provide great pleasure as a fast road tourer.

Guide price: £250,000-325,000.

5. 1964 Aston Martin DB5

Claim to fame? Bought new by the Earl of Lonsdale, it was kept in a heated garage for 24 years and has covered just 5000 miles since 1988.

Says Tim: Low mileage and outstandingly original, this is one of the best DB5s on the market and comes with a very reasonable estimate. It’s never been restored but it has been meticulously maintained and is in beautiful condition.

Guide price: £500,000-600,000.

6. 1972 Iso Grifo Series II coupé

Claim to fame? One of just five right-drive cars delivered new in the UK.

Says Tim: Seriously rare and highly usable, the Grifo is a proper grand tourer, very comfortable and elegant.

Guide price: £200,000-250,000.

7. Land Rover Series II 109-inch Cuthbertson tracked utility vehicle 

Claim to fame? Er, you decide!

Says Tim: Just look at it – what a beast! This fantastic machine has to be the ultimate in 4x4 fun. It could take you anywhere you wanted to go and it’s road legal too.

Guide price: £50,000-60,000. 

8. 1964 Ford Mustang competition coupé

Claim to fame? The last remaining Alan Mann Racing Tour de France Mustang, driven in that event in 1964 by Bo Ljungfeldt. Fully restored by Alan Mann Racing.

Says Tim: During restoration to TdF spec by Alan Mann Racing the original engineer who built it spotted his own welding signature on the car! What an opportunity to own a piece of Ford Motor Company history.

Guide price: £250,000-300,000.

9. 1964 Gordon-Keeble coupé

Claim to fame? One of only 99 made in period and with just 58,000 miles from new.

Says Tim: Much underrated British GT, with beautiful Italian styling. It runs very well.

Guide price: £80,000-90,000.

10. 1954 Bedford SA articulated tanker 

Claim to fame? A Concours winner in immaculate condition after an eight-year restoration.

Says Tim: It really is pristine and would be a beautiful vehicle to own. It would certainly draw the crowds at any classic motoring event.

Guide price: £50,000-70,000.