FULL STEAM AHEAD IMPORTANT PRIVATE COLLECTION OF VETERAN MACHNES AT BONHAMS LONDON TO BRIGHTON SALE

FULL STEAM AHEAD

IMPORTANT PRIVATE COLLECTION OF VETERAN MACHNES AT BONHAMS LONDON TO BRIGHTON SALE

1898 Germain 6hp Twin-Cylinder Open Drive Limousine (£150,000-220,000) and the 1901 Hurtu Type G 4½ Rear-Entrance Tonneau (£65,000-80,000)

An impressive 10 car collection of vehicles from the earliest days of motoring will be offered at Bonhams London to Brighton Run Sale on 3 November at its flagship saleroom on New Bond Street, London. The sale includes 27 vehicles for sale, many of which come with the much-coveted entry in to the Bonhams London to Brighton Run on Sunday 5 December.

The highlight of the European collection is the very rare 1898 Germain 6hp Twin-Cylinder Open Drive Limousine (£150,000-220,000), which is thought to be the prototype car for the Belgian company, proven by the correspondence from the factory which states that ‘it is the prototype which never left the factory…and has never been registered.’ A fascinating vehicle, and one whose design typifies the elegance and pioneering spirit of early motoring.

The c. 1902 Ader Twin-Cylinder V-Twin Four-Seater (£85,000-100,000) is an early example from the French marque founded by Clément Ader, the man responsible for establishing Paris’s phone network in 1880. The Ader offered is a beautiful and meticulously, sympathetically restored example – looking at the handsome machine now, it is hard to imagine that it is the same vehicle that was eked out of a snow-covered barn in the early 1960s. The car has already successfully completed the London to Brighton run, making it a reliable yet stylish choice for any enthusiast looking for the perfect vehicle to bear them to Madeira Drive.

c. 1902 Ader Twin-Cylinder V-Twin Four-Seater (£85,000-100,000 and the c. 1898 Léon Bollée 3hp Tandem Two-seater (£45,000-55,000)

One of only a handful of survivors, this De Dion Bouton-engined 1901 Hurtu Type G 4½ Rear-Entrance Tonneau (£65,000-80,000) is to be offered without reserve. With a delightful patina, this charming vehicle would be an ideal first time Brighton runner, and has the added benefit of being almost light enough to tow along oneself.

The London to Brighton Sale celebrates the earliest days of motoring, and the ‘timewarp’ c.1903 Stevens-Duryea Model L Runabout (£55,000-65,000) is a perfect example of just that. A rare find on this side of the Atlantic in any condition, this example is not thought to have been run since its original days in the early 20^th century and remains in astonishingly good condition. A true key to the past and how these pioneering machines were built new.

Another remarkably rare lot is the unrestored c. 1900 De Dion Bouton Quadricycle (£30,000-35,000). It is an untouched example, and retains its beautiful originality and celebrated De Dion Bouton design. It is particularly appealing to those looking for an interesting project, as it comes with a gearbox, making it far more useable than any others of its kind. Those looking to join the very front of the pack on the London to Brighton Run would be wise to consider this charming Quadricycle, as such vehicles enjoy an early starting number.

c.1903 Stevens-Duryea Model L Runabout (£55,000-65,000)

Young Léon Bollée reacted against his father’s total commitment to steam transport by designing his first internal combustion engine powered vehicle in 1895. One such design was the remarkably nippy 1898 Léon Bollée 3hp Tandem Two-seater (£45,000-55,000), affectionately known as ‘a land torpedo.’ Eligible for both the LBVCR and the Sunbeam M.C.C Pioneer Run to Brighton, there can be few more thrilling ways to recreate the 1896 Emancipation Run.

The collection also includes:

• c. 1904 La Libellule V Twin Tricar (£20,000-25,000)
• c. 1899 Vivinus 3½hp Two-Seater Voiturette (£20,000-25,000)
• 1902 Toledo Junior Steam Car (£25,000-30,000)