MOTORING enthusiasts from across the globe dipped into their pockets for a unique classic vehicle auction, spending more than £1m in a single afternoon.
Bicester Heritage, which runs the old RAF base in the town, was the location of the event that saw more than 60 cars go under the hammer to a bidding audience.
Among the items which helped the group reach the impressive total was a beautifully restored 1923 Vauxhall OD 23/60 Kington Tourer which took top price of the day for the auction, selling for £71,500.
The event was run by auctioneers Brightwells and saw a host of traders and collectors pack out the former aircraft hanger for the unique sale. But such was the interest in the vehicles that some joined in online from as far away as Canada, Dubai and Singapore.
Bicester Heritage managing director Daniel Geoghegan said: "Brightwells created a remarkable atmosphere inside one of our historic hangars.
"Judging by the buzz on the day and the results, this clearly met with the firm approval of buyers and sellers alike."
Close behind the Kington Tourer on the money list was an elegant 1927 Delage DIS Colonial Tourer, still sporting its original Phizakerley of Sydney coachwork in powder blue and with a milled aluminium dashboard, which fetched £49,500.
Other lots included 1939 Hotchkiss 686 Monte Carlo Decouvrable, which sold for £44,000, a 1924 Aster 18/50 Coupe with Dickey, one of two known to survive worldwide, which went for £41,800 and the £25,300 was paid for a 1932 McEvoy Special Model 60.
One phoned in bid of nearly £45,000 bagged a1927 Sunbeam 25hp Tourer, which served as a taxi then as a breakdown truck in World War Two before being rescued and restored to its original, for one East Anglian collector.
Brightwells managing director Richard Binnersley said: "Our hard-working consignors had assembled a wonderfully diverse and intriguing selection of cars including some real rarities that have never been seen at auction before.
"We were delighted with the results of the sale and we thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, as did the hundreds of enthusiastic bidders who attended.
"The atmosphere in the magnificent surroundings of Bicester Heritage was truly something to savour and we feel privileged to be playing our own part in the development of this marvellous venue which is fast becoming the most exciting hub of the classic car movement in Europe."
Brightwells now have a new outpost office in The Guard House at Bicester Heritage and will host its next auction at the former air base at the Flywheel Festival on the June 24 and June 25.
For more details see brightwells.com
