Bonhams moves forwards at its Beaulieu auction

Following the success of 2012's £2.6m sale at the National Motor Museum during the Beaulieu Autojumble, Bonhams Motoring team returned to Hampshire where it managed to surpass the previous year’s result and achieve a sale total of £2,825,448.

As we predicted last week, the top-selling car was a 1926 Sunbeam 3.0-Litre Super Sports 'Twin Cam' Tourer, which achieved a top-of-estimate £158,300. The Super Sports has enjoyed something of an interesting life, reflected in the interest shown in the car. During its life, it was was exported when new to Argentina, and had a unique four-seater touring body fitted. Upgrades included upgrading the brakes with a vacuum servo in 1978 and rebuilding the engine with a new cylinder block in 1993, and new Arias forged pistons for more performance.

It was almost pipped at the post by the 1953 Alfa Romeo 1900C 1st Series Sprint Coupé (below). That car sold for £152,700, an impressive performance considering it was estimated at £60,000-80,000. Another highlight was the sale of a 1939 Lagonda 4½-Litre LG6 Short Wheelbase Drophead Coupé that went for £119,100.

James Knight, Group Director of the Bonhams Motoring Department said: 'Beaulieu eclipsed last year’s record breaking sale and we now look forward to conducting our blue ribbon sale at Goodwood revival this weekend.'

More at www.bonhams.com