Vintage Cars and Motorcycles to be Auctioned by Bonhams

We’ve gotten used to Bonhams surprising us with all kinds of rare pieces from the automotive history and one of its future auctions makes no exception. This time, Bonhams is selling rare vintage motor cars and memorabilia belonging to The Ward Brothers’ Collection, on July 18, at Henley-on-Thames.

Both brothers, Toby and Daniel Ward, have a motoring heritage, as well as an unique collection of early vehicles.

The highlights of the sale include a 1901 Panhard-Levassor 2.4-liter Forward Control Cab Phaeton, the only one of its kind still in existence. The vehicle is still in a remarkable condition and proved to have good power eight years ago, when it finished second in the annual London-Brighton Veteran Car Run. The lot is estimated between £200,000-250,000.

Another oldie-but-goldie of this auction is the 1896 Benz 5hp Victoria, estimated at £140,000-180,000. As for the vintage two-wheelers, we already told you about the ex-Alf Briggs and Eric Houseley 1928 McEvoy-JAP motorcycle with a 980cc vee-twin engine, with a £120,000-150,000 guide price. And should we not forget to mention the colourful 1899 Panhard-Levassor Wagonette, with a price set between £120,000-150,000.

Of course, there wouldn’t be such an attractive auction if some of the cars in the sale hadn't colourful histories. Let’s take for example the 1911 RMC Seabrook 20hp Roadster that won the Essex Motor Hill Climb in 1911 and was later donated to the War Department. The vehicle is now expected to fetch between £25,000-35,000 at the auction.

A rare 1899 Phebus Forecar is also part of the sale, which is believed to be the only remaining vehicle of its kind, and as such is expected to achieve between £30,000-35,000. An 1898 De Dion Bouton 1 ¾ hp Tricycle is quite unusual as well, estimated between £30,000-40,000. Moreover, buyers with a passion for planes will be fascinated by the 1935 Scott Flying Flea Light Aircraft, expected to achieve £4,000-6,000 in the sale.