Preview: H&H classic car auction, Droitwich, 4 December
A Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud formerly owned by Eurythmics’ co-founder David A Stewart heads up the lots at H&H's December sale at Chateau Impney, near Droitwich next week (4 December). It joins a mixed line-up of classics at what H&H describes as its Christmas Gala sale - in the midst of what is rapidly becoming one of the busiest parts of the UK sale calendar, as the auction houses scramble to hold their final sales of the year.
The David A Stewart Rolls-Royce is a suitably interesting car to lead the sale, and has already attracted considerable interest in the lead-up to the sale. The James Young-bodied Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud Sports Saloon was commissioned by Jack Barclay for the 1955 Earls Court Motor Show.
The Rolls-Royce was adorned with a flowering rose motif during Stewart’s ownership, but it looks like the Silver Cloud was last on the road in early 1992. It's described by H&H as having the 'makings of a fantastic project', as it was denied a planned comprehensive restoration thanks to the Eurythmics star’s relocation to Los Angeles. Given its condition, H&H has set a low estimate of £5000-7000, but given the question of its star ownership, it's difficult to set pre-sale expectations.
The 1951 Aston Martin DB2 on offer has an interesting history - it was entered in the gruelling Lyon-Charbonnieres Rally by one M. Grousset. It's also notable for being one of the first 49 DB2s ever made, and is described as a ‘matching numbers’ fixed head coupe has since been extensively restored. Most significantly, it's eligible for prestigious events as the Mille Miglia Storica, Tour Auto and Le Mans Classic - and the estimate is £320,000-360,000.
Another interesting pair of cars are the 1939 Lagonda V12 Drophead Coupe (estimate £125,000-150,000) formerly owned by the late Alfred Hill MBE, and 1937 Aston Martin 2 Litre 15/98 Four-Seater Tourer (estimate £80,000-100,000). Both cars were previously barn stored by the Hollinshead family for 40 years, and the Aston Martin 2 Litre was first registered to Mrs Cicely Ethel Wilkinson who was not only one of Britain’s first female pilots but also drove ambulances on the Western Front during WWI.
The lot list numbers almost 100 cars, and has something to everyone - with affordable lots coming in as low as a very reasonable £1000-2000 for a fascinating little Peugeot 304 Cabriolet. You can bid online, and there's a digital eCatalogue also available for download - more information available from H&H's website.
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