CACHE OF CREWE CLASSICS HEADS TO AUCTION
Stash amassed over more than three decades – including ex-Royal family cars – put up for sale
THE BIG STORY
Ahaul of 25 classic Rolls-Royces and Bentleys, including cars formerly used by Hollywood stars and members of the Royal Family, is all set to go under the hammer next month.
RM Sotheby’s is selling the Liechtenstein-based collection, amassed over more than 30 years by a single owner, in its ‘A Passion for Elegance’ sale on 19
June. The auction will include limited elements of ‘ live’ bidding on-site, depending on what COVID-19 restrictions are in place at the time.
All of the cars, which range from a 1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost to a 2008 Bentley Brooklands, are described as being in exceptional condition and in full running order, with most of the lots retaining their original UK-market registrations. Significant classics in the Eschen-based stash include a 1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III DHC originally owned by actor Sophia Loren, which appeared alongside her in Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, and the 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I originally displayed at that year’s Paris Motor Show. Rolls-Royces with Royal connections include a 1954 Phantom IV built for Princess Margaret’s use and a 1975 Silver Shadow that she later used and which went on to be shipped to the US in 1984, when actor Burt Reynolds bought it.
The auction also includes a Merlin Mk113A V12 aero engine, which was originally fitted to a de Havilland
Mosquito but has since been fully prepared for static display.
An auction spokesman told Classic Car Weekly: ‘The collection has been 30 years in the making, resulting in a wonderfully curated selection of cars that reside in a purpose-built facility and which has been the subject of a dedicated book.
‘It is an outstanding example of its owner’s dedication in assembling the finest examples of best-in-class categories across multiple decades.
‘Notably, many of the cars are sourced from some of the world’s finest collections and while impressive individually, when seen in the greater context as a collection, its impact and significance is remarkable.’
David Simister
] rmsothebys.com
Buyers have plenty of these to choose from at auction.
Moggies remain popular today both for classic novices or those who have moved down from bigger, more powerful classics. They drive well and have a very good spares back-up, so they can be used on a daily basis. And for those who like to get their hands dirty – even if it’s only mild tinkering – the Minor is a very good place to start. However, that also means that there are plenty on the market at any given point, which helps to keep prices low.
You needed patience to buy it.
The timing of a car’s appearance in a sale can have an impact on the eventual selling price. This 1954 splitscreen four-door might have been the sole Minor in the sale, but it had a 1958 Austin A35 to keep it company and was one of the later lots (71 out of 109), so would-be bidders needed to exercise a bit of patience if they wanted to bid on it.
It needed a bit of work.
This 70,000-mile example was given an honest vendor-assessed 48 out of 100, and was described as a running, rolling restoration that was last on the road in 2015. Bodywork was generally reasonable and while there were some small rust patches (most notably in the wheel arches and the tops of the rear wings) it looked better than many of this age. The black paint was patchy in places but looked like it would have responded to some elbow grease and polish while the engine bay was in good-enough order.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was a lot of classic for the money.
There was much in this Minor’s favour, most notably the generally good bodywork and the later, low-mileage engine. Yes, it could be improved but its appearance added to its character – to re-paint and instigate a full-on restoration would erase the character it patently had. Running and having sound running gear made it more appealing to buyers, too. In short, the lucky bidder did well to bag this car for the eventual hammer price.