MORE than two million pounds was spent at an auction held in Bicester last week.
Bonhams MPH, a newly established auction house that recently moved to Bicester Heritage, had a successful first event on Thursday which saw thousands turn out to bid.
With an indoor area of more than 52,000 square feet in Hangar 113, the vast arena greeted buyers with an astonishing view and, with the space to hold a ‘drive-through’ sale, provided an engaging format.
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Impressive footfall in the hangar alongside strong telephone and online bidder presence led to total sales results that exceeded £2.68 million (including buyer’s premium) with an overall sale rate of 83 per cent for 262 lots.
Items included a cherished 1993 Ford Escort RS Cosworth and a 1939 Ford V8 Convertible.
Dan Geoghegan, chief executive of Bicester Heritage on Buckingham Road, said: “Bonhams MPH has certainly hit the ground running with a strong result and vibrant spectacle.
“The permanent team here at Bicester Heritage have clearly made the most of the location and we are looking forward to the next auction on 26th November.”
Rocketing sales at the auction show that vehicles are still a popular investment.
Rob Hubbard, director, head of department for Bonhams MPH, said: “Such a strong result from our opening sale lays the foundations for future sales successes to come. Bonhams MPH has worked hard to provide a new, easy-to-understand consignment process that is complemented by an appraisal system that gives confidence to the buyers.
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“The ‘exceptional’ results achieved across The Elite Collection of ex special-forces vehicles, as well as sales of examples such as the Ford Escort RS Cosworth and Ford V8, shows there is still a strong market for a diverse range of vehicles that Bonhams MPH will be catering for through our future sales, and our November sale, which we are consigning now.”
The auction house moved to Bicester Heritage in June and it also holds free watch valuations on the first Monday of every month where senior specialists from its Bond Street and Knightsbridge offices in London come to the site.
They valuate pre-owned, vintage, modern or unique timepieces and give confidential advice on how to build collections.
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