Oldest Surviving Vauxhall Up For Auction At Bonhams

Oldest Surviving Vauxhall Up For Auction

A car believed to be the oldest surviving Vauxhall could sell for as much as £80,000 when it goes to auction on Friday.

The 1903 Vauxhall two-seater will go under the hammer at Bonhams in London.

The sale is the first time the car has been sold on the open market in 100 years

Modelled in cream with brown leather upholstery, the car was ordered for Vauxhall managing director Percy Kidner on 6 November 1903.

Kidner sold the car in April 1904 to Dr Dudley Bernhardt who lived in Marylebone, London.

The vehicle remained in the Bernhardt family ever after, being in regular use until around 1920 by which time it was fitted with a modern-style radiator and bonnet.

Interest in the car perked up after the Second World War and in 1955 it was loaned to the London Science Museum for exhibition.

With help from Vauxhall Motors at Luton in Bedfordshire, the museum modernised the vehicle which took part in London to Brighton runs. It underwent a major refurbishment in 2001/2002.

Tim Schofield, Director of the Bonhams UK Motor Car department, said: "This is the first time in 108 years this historic landmark vehicle has been offered on the open market.

"We believe it is the oldest surviving Vauxhall, which makes it a very important motor car and a great addition to what is shaping up to be a fantastic auction at our flagship saleroom in early November."

Among other cars for sale at the auction are a 1904 Wolseley Tonneau, which could fetch as much as £150,000, and a 1904 Wilson-Pilcher which might reach up to £220,000.

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