Auctioneer courts classic lovers
A new specialist auctioneer will play matchmaker to the passionate community of classic car lovers when it opens its doors to a mouth-watering display of fine motor cars, valued in excess of £2.5 million, in the evocative setting of Brooklands, on the evening of June 2.
The birthplace of British motorsport is the home for Historics at Brooklands, the first auctioneers to have a permanent base at the iconic Weybridge venue, famed for its steeply-banked circuit and home to numerous Land Speed Record cars.
Highlights of the inaugural sale include a magnificent 1930 Bentley 4.5 litre Vanden Plas Tourer, with a truly vivid history and estimated value of up to £775,000, a rare Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupé which will be returning to its roots to be sold, 55 years after it was originally registered by the Brooklands Aston Martin dealer, and a pristine 1968 Mini Cooper ‘S’ with just 21,500 miles on the clock.
In all, some 65 classic and collector cars, many with an intriguing story to tell, their ages spanning seven decades and with a wide range of estimated values, together with fascinating automobilia, will all go under the hammer in front of potential suitors on June 2.
Edward Bridger-Stille, Historics’Auction Director and long-time classic car expert, explains that his company’s matchmaker role is becoming increasingly significant:
“Existing owners and new buyers of classic cars all share a passion, but whilst as many as 30% are seduced into buying spontaneously, there’s normally more to buying than being smitten by a gorgeous body!
“With the sensitivity in property values and decline in some other collectible categories, a classic car is increasingly popular as an investment”, he continued, “but all buyers need the reassurance that the vehicle that caught their eye is a good purchase. That’s why we will only accept vehicles for our auctions that we can be sure of in terms of their integrity and value. Ultimately, an auction business is all about utter professionalism and implicit trust.”
For Allan Winn, Director of Brooklands Museum Trust, which has granted exclusive rights to Historics to host regular classic vehicle auctions at its famous Weybridge home, it’s a perfect match: “We have long wanted a regular top quality classic car auction in keeping with the history and legacy of this famous site. It’s absolutely fitting that exceptional motor cars will bond with their new owners here”, he said.
For more information, and to attend the Historics at Brooklands auction on the evening of June 2, visit historics.co.uk. Entry by catalogue, available prior to, or on the evening.
