Barn find Bentley doubles its estimate at Beaulieu sale

A 1929 Bentley 4½-litre, recently unearthed from a family barn after 30 years sold for more than double its estimate at auction over the weekend. The car sailed past its £300,000 estimate at Bonhams sale at the Beaulieu International Autojumble to eventually sell for £695,900.

According to Bonhams, the vendor only recently found the car gathering dust in his grandfather’s garage. Rob Hubbard, Bonhams motoring specialist, said, ‘It was an incredible discovery; the chassis, engine, axle, gearbox, steering box numbers are all present and correct, the interior is completely original in wonderful green leather. For a car that’s over 80 years old, it’s truly astounding.’

The vendor’s grandfather purchased the Bentley in 1935 and is known to have used it for family holidays throughout the 1930s and 1940s. The luxury car even towed a caravan, and is still fitted with the original tow ball. Bidding continued to rise in the lively auction room, and the gavel finally fell to a British telephone bidder.

•  Check out our picture gallery of this barn find Bentley