PreWars as diverse as people

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Another eclectic mix of automobilia and vehicles from Bonhams MPH sale on 4 and 5 September. We have picked out some of the highlights.

The eldest

There’s some lovely Edwardian machinery on offer, from a 1907 Rover 6hp to a 1910 Rochet-Schneider 18hp, and even a 1913 Lancia-Simplex. But the 1905 Lorraine-Dietrich CR2 replica racer is the eldest of them all. The car was built up in its current state as a works racer replica in the 2000s with four-cylinder Turcat-Méry engine and Delahaye gearbox and transaxle. It was the star of an award-winning movie about the Targa Florio and was subsequently entered in a number of VSCC races, hill climbs and rallies.

The cheapest

There’s a 1905 Rolls-Royce ‘Roi de Belges’ body estimated at £2,000 to £3,000, which seems a steal to us. However, the complete cars that are expected to sell for the lowest prices are a Daimler V26 of around 1934 and a Lancia Aprilia project of 1937, both of which are estimated at £5,000 to £7,000. The Lancia has stood since the 1970s but has all the bits and the paperwork. We can see that going for more.

Sorriest looking

The above Daimler is looking pretty sorry for itself, but the award for looking most sorry goes to another Daimler: a 1936 Daimler LQ3-20 All-weather Limousine with Tickford folding roof and 36,000 miles on its odometer. Taken off the road in 1987 when a radiator change was needed, it turned out that the head was cracked, too, and the car was parked up. It has detoriorated even further since then. Work on the head was started but has not been finished, so expect lots of work here. All parts are said to be included though.

Wackiest

An open-top bus from Tilling-Stevens of 1923 with petrol-electric hybrid engine and 1919 body by Charabanc. You’d be the only one with that! It's said to be in good running order but does need further work. This includes seats that need upholstery, rear corners filling and the body panels painting.

The most rewarding

While it’s a collection of metal bits and pieces now, this actually is everything needed to build up a 1930 Aston Martin International 1½-litre Sports Tourer. The poor thing was dismantled in 1963 and has been stored in boxes ever since. It was only recently rediscovered with the original chassis plate and the original keys still with it. Although there are some components said to be missing, it could certainly be a rewarding project for the next owner, who may have the satisfaction of returning this long-lost Aston Martin to the road.

Most expensive

We think there are far more exciting cars in this sale, but this curious 1928 Bentley 4½-litre Tourer is expected to fetch the most of all the PreWars on offer. It’s not a genuine example but one built from a variety of bits in the 1990s, including what we understand to have been a brand new chassis. The estimated price of £180,000 to £240,000 is even more remarkable when you read that “it has not seen active use since 2015 so will need some re-commissioning before returning to the road”.

Most flamboyant

A number of colossal Specials have been built using the 27-litre V12 Rolls-Royce Merlin aeroplane/tank engine in the last 20 years or so, and this is one of them. Not exactly a PreWarCar though! Using a unique double ladder, cross-braced chassis, Jaguar XJ12 suspension units and automatic gearbox, this car may still deserve a mention here if only for its sheer impressiveness and 1930s Napier-Railtonesque styling. It uses the 613bhp Merlin engine from a Centurion tank and was built by the vendor in South Africa. According to him, the car handles as easily as an XJ12 Jaguar and the ride is very comfortable. It made 80mph in first gear and has been featured on television more than once – despite not being fully finished yet.

Words by Jeroen Booij. Pictures courtesy of Bonhams MPH.

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