Bonhams at the Goodwood Revival

Not only did visitors to the recent Goodwood Revival have a great day out but anyone interested in the beautiful classic vintage cars of a bygone era were also treated to an outstanding auction too. Bonhams held its Collectors’ Motor Cars and Automobilia sale at the Chichester ground on 15th September and we bring you just a few highlights here.

 Lot 69

1/8 scale scratch built model of the 1957 Nurburgring 1,000km winning Aston Martin DBR1 as driven by Tony Brooks and Noel Cunningham-Reid. Modelled by Javan Smith, it featured a finely detailed cockpit and was mounted on a perspex plinth and enclosed in a display case with the Aston Martin emblem. It sold for £2,750.

Lot 37

Whilst not actually a diecast model we couldn’t help but feature this unique 1/1 scale Aston Martin DBR1 ‘Airfix’ Tribute to the Le Mans winning race car here, hand made by the Evanta Motor Company, Herts. Built in the traditional style of an Airfix model, the kit featured individually labelled components mounted on a sprue and included bodyshell, lights, screens, race seats, gear knob, dashboard and all other parts to make this ready to race car. It sold for £27,500.

Lot 74

1/8 scale signed scratch built model of Tony Brooks’ 1959 Ferrari 246F1 ‘Dino’, again modelled by Javan Smith. Limited edition No 3 of only 25 produced, the real car was driven by Brooks to victory at the French Grand Prix.  The model is mounted on a plinth with a plaque signed by the driver and is offered with a certificate of authenticity. It sold for £3,750.

Lot 77

Again of interest to collectors in general will be this bespoke replica child’s car from the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang which is powered by a 24volt motor and has forward and reverse speeds of approx 8mph. It has a steel chassis, axle and mudguards, varnished wooden boat-style body, polished aluminium bonnet and brass radiator grille, with deep buttoned maroon leathercloth seats with removable centre seat to accommodate the larger driver. Overall it is 224cm long, 81cm wide (with wings stowed) and 92cm high. It sold for £15,000.

And to finish we couldn’t resist bringing you news of this breathtakingly-original time-capsule car for the truly discerning connoisseur which became one of the top lots of the 'real' vehicle auction which we know many Diecast Collector readers will be interested in. This 1928 Mercedes-Benz 36/220 6.8litre S-Type four-seat Open Tourer, coachwork by Cadogan Motors Ltd, London, registration No ER 9555, sold for a staggering £2,801,500! Bonhams described it as “one of the most jaw-droppingly unspoiled, time machine-quality, vintage cars that we have ever had the privilege to bring to market. This extraordinary Mercedes-Benz 680 S-Type has been preserved within its very first family ownership for no fewer than 84 years...” The full and fascinating story can be found at www.bonhams.com