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With the final season of Downton Abbey starting soon, the owner of this huge collection of pre-war cars must have figured it was a good time to sell. This guy has close to 50 classic cars and it looks like they were all housed around the parameter of this impressive Denmark estate. I’m sure he will keep something fancy around to take on Sunday drives, but the cars on offer are impressive. Keep reading to watch a nicely done video or visit Bonhams for more info. Thanks goes to Doug M. for the tip!
I think this is a terrible time to sell, as I’ve seen pre-war cars on TV auctions bring half of what they brought several years ago. While fancy stuff like this still has a following, as older owners with collections like this pass away, less and less people will be able to identify with these cars, and I’m not sure what will happen to them. As the economy continues to melt down, ( if you don’t think that’s happening, a trip to the grocery store should confirm that) I think we’ll see more and more of these types of auctions. Sorry, it doesn’t look good for pre-war cars.
I agree. Cars require a connection, and it is hard for todays buyers to feel much of anything towards these cars. While my tastes have changed a little over the years, what really interests me is cars from TV shows of my youth, cars my family had,(or didnt, because dad was cheap.) and cars I couldn’t afford when I was starting out. While I do appreciate these cars, for the money they bring, I would really rather have something capable of modern freeway speeds with a radio.
Hi Cory, oh, I think any one of these cars would do freeway speeds, (and then some) From what I’ve heard, these cars really rolled, and I’m sure 100 mph was common. The problem comes in, I be scared to death to drive cars like these on today’s roads, the way people drive today. I’m sure many parts are irreplaceable.
These are some seriously desirable cars and should go for good money (millions).
We are not talking about the typical “barn finds” usually featured on this site.
They are ALL beautiful cars, but my favorite, as I almost bought one 53 yrs ago, was that ’37 Cord Supercharged Sportsman (’twas $550. on a used car lot), but didn’t, ‘n decided on a newer ’60 XK Jag instead.. yep, I still kick myself over that one :(
What a super way for this guy and his wife to collect these cars with the his stock sale of 1,050,000,000 pounds before taxes. That Maybach convertible may go for near that much.
These are mechanical works of art much like rare Patek Philippe watches and famous masters paintings. This is not a fading pastime like muscle cars will be someday. These are pure quality and expression of art. This auction will raise untold millions.
I’d love to have a video of the entire auction.
Watching the Bonhams film I felt like Peter Sellers as Chance in Being There. Off the top of my head I saw a Chrysler Sportsman, a Stanley Steamer, a Pierce Arrow, a Maybach………these are the creme de creme of auto history. You bet someone will buy. Then the taxman will come.
The Maybach Zepplin in this lot is a sad car. It was presented by Hitler to the Maharaja of Patiala. The car survived and was last seen in India in an event early in the 1970’s. A complete stunning running car, probably white or some light color. Then she was smuggled out of India and appeared in USA. Changed to red. Sold a few years ago in an auction. The buyer rebodied the car to this roadster like shape, and converted her from RHD to LHD. In my humble opinion vandalism. I believe the original body was subsequently sold to the Maybach Museum. A heritage lost. Hope the owners, old and new were informed about this conversion.