A Sneak Peek In Bonhams #74MM Sale

As the Bonhams’ crews were busily making the final preparations for its 74^th Members’ Meeting auction this Sunday, March 20^th, the GRR team popped into the auction room for a sneak preview of the 100 sales lots that will go under the hammer from 2pm onwards.

The Bonhams sale of important motor cars contains something for all tastes, from a couple of late 19^th Century horse-drawn carriages, right through to a selection of 21^st Century supercars, via vehicles from almost every decade of motoring.

The Members’ Meeting auction will kick off with a unique item, the registration number ‘S5’, estimated at between £150,000-£180,000, and perfect to adorn your shiny new Audi S5 cabriolet!

Vehicles then take over the auction, including the Kingsley Curtis Collection, including his prized Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Gullwing’, estimated at up to £1million. A more recent SL, one of just 350 Mercedes AMG SL65 Black coupes from 2009, is expected to make up to £210,000.

More affordable lots include a delightfully original 1926 Ford Model T Tudor saloon (estimate £7,000-£9,000), a 1959 Austin-Healey Sprite (£2,500-£3,000), plus an unusual 1961 Healey-built Sprite powerboat that would look perfect towed behind the 1959 roadster (£7,000-£10,000).

A brace of Porsche 911 of varying ages and values are set to go under the hammer, as are a selection of Jaguar E-types and early Land Rovers. One of the earliest examples of the revolutionary Citroen DS in the UK will also be on offer, a 1957 model, owned and restored by a well-known British motoring writer for over 30 years, estimated at a reasonable £17,000 to £20,000. An equally innovative 1937 Cord 810 Sedan is a rare find at £26,000-£35,000.

Sportier rides going under the hammer include a 1971 Datsun 240 Z (£40,000 top estimate), a 1939 HRG 100 Sports (£66,000), 1960 Maserati 3500 GT (£250,000), 1969 Lotus Elan S4 Drophead Coupe (£24,000), a 2003 Aston Martin Vanquish (£55,000) and a 1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth (£35,000).

On the competition front, the ex-Dealer Team Vauxhall Magnum 2300 coupe, driven by racing legends Gerry Marshall and Peter Brock at the 1977 Spa 24 Hours, to a podium finish, is a once-in-a-lifetime find at £80,000 to £120,000.

The Bonhams Members’ Meeting auction will close with two very unusual lots, a 1959 English Electric Canberra PR9 XH134 aircraft (up to £70,000), plus an affordable 1958 Hawker Hunter T7 XL600, making the ideal garden ornament for a mere £12,000.

Viewing is available with a catalogue on both 74^th days from 9am.

Photography by Pete Summers and Tom Shaxson