 The traditional Bonhams sale on the Friday before the 120th Anniversary Run to Brighton. You have always wanted to own a real London-Brighton veteran, so what do you buy? If there wouldn't exist any financial limits, I would suggest to buy them all! Not only do you have then a fantastic collection of both common as well as rare cars from the early period, but for the next 14 years you could use every year a different car, each having its own merits. And you would have 13 years for the completion of the 1903 De Dion-Bouton rolling chassis! So owning these all, which car would you choose for Sunday? The British Daimler with classic British wagonnette coachwork, as owned by many British car pioneers? Or the American version of the famous De Dion-Bouton vis-à-vis, one of these cars that put the world on wheels? No less than three Renault examples would be available, giving an overview of the early history of this firm. And next you have a whole variety of cars, which have had their imprint on early English car history: the neat little Humberette, the classic Decauville, being the inspiration for Henry Royce to build an even better car (some say the best!), the iconic early Star with Benz engine or the Humber forecar for the alternate experience (though you will need a passenger who is willing to share this). And of course the 1903 Darracq, as common in those days as any well-known car today. Also you would own one of these typical products of the early American car industry, the inevitable steamer, in this case a less common Hart victoria. And finally you would have some ultra-rare vehicles in your collection like the 1896 Raynaud, a really unique product, and the 1904 Aster, a rare survivor af a world famous engine producer. And don't forget to buy some items from the automobilia collection to fill your showcases! Surely I do hope that this person is just fiction and that you all will have the opportunity to finally purchase the Brighton car of your dreams. And that as many of these as possible will show a nice performance this weekend, Sunday, 6 November. Because that is what they were made for: for driving, not for showing in a museum. Bon allumage! Words: Ariejan Bos, Photo courtesy: Bonhams |
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Prepare yourself for the next 13 runs
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