Festival of Speed: Excitement at Bonhams’ auction

BONHAMS’ auction room was packed out at Festival of Speed this afternoon.
The 1935 Aston Martin Works UlsterThe 1935 Aston Martin Works Ulster
The 1935 Aston Martin Works Ulster

People keen to bid for some rare and exciting sports cars filled the area as the first of the lots came up for grabs.

One of four ultimate specification Ulsters constructed for Le Mans in 1935, the star lot Aston Martin attracted keen bidding.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There were ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ in the room as the sports two-seater looked like it was going under the hammer but bid after bid was topped at the last minute.

Sir Stirling Moss's 1961 PorscheSir Stirling Moss's 1961 Porsche
Sir Stirling Moss's 1961 Porsche

Described by the auctioneer as a ‘proper chap’s car’ with an unparalleled history, it finally went for £2.6m.

Another star lot was Sir Stirling Moss’s 1961 Porsche, a silver two-seater sold for £1.7m.

The Bill Wyman Collection included a Mercedes he had owned since 1966, which went for £18,000, and a Citroen Coupe going for £54,000.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Opening the motor cars auction was this year’s charity lot, introduced by Damon Hill.

Sir Stirling Moss's sports-racing two-seaterSir Stirling Moss's sports-racing two-seater
Sir Stirling Moss's sports-racing two-seater

He explained he wanted to raise money for the halow project, of which he is patron, and offered his personal copy of the sought-after F1 OPUS Champion’s Edition, strictly limited to 100 copies worldwide.

He said: “I am donating my own personal copy, straight from my F1 collection to yours, to help halow put young people with a learning disability in the driving seat!”

Personally signed by all F1 champions, the F1 OPUS went under the hammer for £17,500, with all proceeds to benefit the chosen charity.

---

Damon Hill introduces his charity lotDamon Hill introduces his charity lot
Damon Hill introduces his charity lot
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

For all things Festival of Speed, stay with the Chichester Observer and check out our live blog.

---

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.