Barn-found ’37 Bugatti paces Bonhams’ auto auction

A huge contingent of Continental and Inter-Continental bidders fought against the home market. No less than 60 motorcars and motorcycles were bought by overseas clients including the United States, New Zealand and several Middle Eastern countries.

The top lot of the sale was a barn discovery 1937 Bugatti Type 57 Sports Saloon that sold for £165,500 ($261,177), over double the estimate of £40,000-£50,000 ($63,166-$78,960). The lot received an overwhelming amount of interest, with 10 telephone lines, six absentee bids and 12 bidders in the room.

Further highlights included a 1926 OM type 665S Tourer that sold for £106,000 ($167,395), against an estimate of £40,000-£50,000. A rare 1913 Isotta-Franchini 14-18 horsepower Type FC Tourer, which had been in the same family ownership since new, sold for £78,500 ($123,938), once again over double the estimate of £20,000-£30,000 ($31,581-$47,372).

The Meldonfoot collection, a historic collection of 13 motorcars, which was largely shaped by the owner’s appreciation for the mechanical genius of Henry Ford, sold for a premium inclusive £260,000 ($410,466). This included a 1904 Cadillac Model B 8½-horsepower Rear-Entrance Tonneau that sold for £62,000 ($97,865) and an early 1910 Ford Model T Tourer that sold for £26,000 ($41,028).

The motorcycle section of the sale was also exceptional, with all but one motorcycle sold. Highlights included an unrestored 1937 Brough Superior SS80 that had been in the current ownership for 38 years sold for £35,400 ($55,875) and a 1937 499cc Rudge Special, which had appeared in the Guinness World Book of Records as ridden by a member of the world's oldest dispatch riders display team sold for £14,950 ($23,593).

With the International Autojumble at Beaulieu at a close, the Bonhams Motoring department are now gearing up for the Collectors’ Motor Cars and Automobilia Sale at the Goodwood Revival Meeting on Sept. 16.

Visit www.bonhams.com/cars for more information.