It was an interesting and satisfying sale and whilst there were a few disappointments, we are very happy with the quality and depth of vehicles sold

One of circa 120 examples built during 1934/5, this Riley Imp was bought new by George Thame of Sydney, who raced the Imp in the 10th Australian Grand Prix when he entered it at Bathurst (hosting the Australian GP for the first time). 

He also raced the Imp at Bathurst  in 1949 and he still owned the Riley in the 1960s, an article about it appearing in the December 1961 issue of Sports Car World. This Imp is eligible for a wide variety of prestigious motoring events and in 2004 took part in the Historic Race during the Australian F1 GP weekend. Made in limited numbers, the Riley Imp is a rarity today and commensurately much sought after.  

The car sold to a Melbourne based collector and was part of an impressive collection of Collectors’ Motor Cars, Motorcycles, Motor Boats, Number Plates and Automobilia auctioned at Bonhams & Goodman on Sunday.
 
Also selling very well on Sunday was the 1923 Bugatti Brescia type 23 which received $ 278,650 IBP after fierce bidding on the phones and in the auction room. The lovely original bodied Bugatti, chassis number 2493, will be going to its new home in the Netherlands. Two very rare motorcycles sold exceedingly well, the 1910 FN 5hp Four selling for $ 35,030 and the Corish Vincent selling for $ 79,100. The Corish, an important Australian bike is synonymous with the well known rider Eric Debenham, whilst the FN has been in single family ownership for 99 years and at one time was owned by the late George Roberts of Qantas fame.
 
The auction made a total of $ 1,563,685 IBP, clearing 65% by volume.
 
National Head of Collectors’ Motor Cars at Bonhams & Goodman, James Nicholls, was pleased with the result, 'It was an interesting and satisfying sale and whilst there were a few disappointments,  we are very happy with the quality and depth of vehicles sold.  The stars of the sale in the Imp and the Bugatti and the Lancia Stratos were complimented by a range of exciting vehicles such as the ex-Kerry Packer Audi quattro and the Ford GT.  Automobilia results were also very strong'
 
The Collectors’ Motor Car Department will continue to hold auctions in 2010, with more to be revealed early in the new year.