Yesterday’s Collectors’ Motor Cars and Automobilia Sale caps a tremendous year for the Bonhams Motoring Department, demonstrating that the collectors’ motor car, motorcycle and automobilia sectors have maintained great strength and resilience...

Bonhams scored a sale total of £3.7 million at its annual sale of Important Collectors’ Motor Cars Fine Automobilia in London’s Olympia. With 95% of lots sold (by value), Bonhams rounded off a 2009 in a bullish mood.
 
Heading the sale was the 1906 Rolls-Royce Light 20hp Tourer, one of only two survivors of the 17 built, which topped out at £441,500. Continuing 2009's trend for big-selling AC Cobras, the exceptional '63 289 MkI did all it was expected to, selling for £232,500, while four cars from the collection of the late Ivor Silverstone sold for a very significant total of £393,200. A particular highlight of the collection was the 1953 Bentley R-Type 4.6-litre Coupé Coachwork by Abbott which sold for a very healthy £109,200 (estimated £40,000-50,000).

Alongside this, two mopeds featured on the famous 2008 Vietnam special of BBC Programme, Top Gear generated a high level of interest. A 1967 Piaggio Vespa 150cc VBC Super (estimated £2000-3000) and a 1973 Honda City 50cc Chaly (estimated £1600-2200) sold for £2530 and £1955 respectively.

James Knight, Group Head of Bonhams Motoring Department commented on the sale, 'Yesterday’s Collectors’ Motor Cars and Automobilia Sale caps a tremendous year for the Bonhams Motoring Department, demonstrating that the collectors’ motor car, motorcycle and automobilia sectors have maintained great strength and resilience. We are delighted with the sale result and look forward to an equally successful 2010.'