Canadian-built motor car fit for royalty on offer as Bonhams returns to Oxford for annual sale

February 28, 2013 by Bonhams

Eclectic auction will offer everything from a Ferrari to a Morris Oxford, via a Buick with royal connections

A single-owner collection of Canadian-built Buick motor cars, including one that was used by two future Kings of England, will be among the highlights of the upcoming Bonhams sale in Oxford, UK, on Saturday 2nd March.

Following the success of last year's auction, which recorded an outstanding 100 per cent sale rate, the Bonhams Motor Car and Automobilia departments will return to the regional Oxford salerooms for the first sale of the UK auction calendar.

Among motor cars already consigned is a collection of Buicks led by the 1928 model year McLaughlin-Buick 496 Tourer that is one of only two built and used on the royal tour of Canada in 1927 (estimate £40,000 - £45,000). The custom-built cars were the only vehicles built by the motor company during that year which comfortably seated seven people, and were designed and detailed with class and elegance in mind. They were used extensively by the then Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), his brother the Duke of York (later King George VI) and their entourage carrying out their civic duties, and were shipped from province to province by train.

Other Buicks in the collection include a 1927 Buick X54 Roadster with coachwork by Fisher (estimate £18,000 - £22,000) and a 1927 Buick 48 Opera Coupé (estimate £13,000 - £15,000).

Another motor car of particular note on offer at the auction is a 1927 example of one of the first Morris Oxfords with coach-built bodywork. The vehicle will go under the hammer in the same month the model celebrates its centenary, and is expected to realize between £18,000 and £22,000.

Leading consignments so far is a 1968 Ferrari 365/250 GT Short Wheel Base Recreation that is estimated at £200,000 to £250,000.

Automobilia lots on offer include a Kingsbury tinplate Golden Arrow world speed car model made in 1929 and finished in gold (estimate £500 - £700), a Morris Trucks enamel sign from the 1930s in the form of a Morris Trucks radiator (estimate £500 - £700), and a Raymond Groves painting entitled 'First British Grand Prix Silverstone Oct 2nd 1948', depicting Sam Gilbey driving his 1½-liter supercharged Maserati (estimate £700 - £900).

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Tim Schofield, Director of the UK Motor Car department, said: 'Once again our annual spring Oxford sale is shaping up to offer a wide variety of different motor cars.

'We hope to be able to match the incredible success of last year's auction, in which every item sold.'

Consignments are still being accepted. To discuss potential entries please call the Motor Car Department on +44 (0) 20 7468 5801 or email ukcars@bonhams.com .