Report: Bonhams classic car auction, Oxford, 15 June

Bonhams' Oxford sale of motorcycles and classic cars was held in association with the Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s Banbury Run on 15 June, attracted plenty of interest. The event, a relatively new one on the Bonhams Calendar, scored highly, with 100 lots sold for a combined total of £1.51m.
 
Highlights among the classic cars on offer at the sale included 100 per cent sold at £413,540 for The Leven Collection, a selection of 19 cars. Notable results within the collection included a combined total of £133,400 for three Jaguar E-types, and the £18,630 realised for a 1992 Ford Sierra Cosworth (above) against an £8000 to £10,000 estimate. A highly original 1984 Ferrari 308 GTSi QV, meanwhile, more than doubled its £25,000 estimate to sell for £54,050.

Top-selling car lots were a 1966 Aston Martin DB6 at £133,660 (estimate £60,000-80,000), a 1953 Bentley R-Type Special Roadster which achieved £74,300 against a £50,000-60,000 estimate, and a 1952 Cisitalia ‘Nuvolari Spyder’ that also realised an above-estimate £68,700.

Meanwhile the 1988 Jaguar XJ-S V12 Convertible that was first owned by Sarah, Duchess of York, sold for £13,800, and a 1966 AEC Routemaster RML Double-decker Bus sold for £19,550. John Polson, Specialist in the Bonhams Motor Car Department, said: 'Once again, our Oxford sale was a great success. It was well-attended and we had good depth of bidding in the room. People were even bidding from outside the packed saleroom.'

(Photo credit: Bonhams)

Top 10 selling cars: Bonhams 15 June

• 1966 Aston Martin DB6, £133,660
• 1953 Bentley R-Type Special Roadster, £74,300
• 1952 Cisitalia (by Auto Italia) 'Nuvolari Spyder', £68,700
• 1962 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Limousine, £55,200
• 1984 Ferrari 308GTSi Qv, £54,050
• 1973 Jaguar E-type Series III V12 Roadster, £49,450
• 1966 Jaguar E-type 'Series 1' 4.2-Litre Coupé, £49,450
• 1972 Porsche 911T, £48,300
• 1962 Jaguar E-type 'Series 1' 3.8-Litre Coupé, £40,250
• 1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith 'Teviot' Touring, ex-Paris Salon, £40,250