Silverstone Auctions (UK) – A definition of history is that it is gone, it is history, it’s dust. Yet on Friday August 4th at Silverstone Auctions ‘The Dawn of Motoring Sale’, the past is not only alive, it is spectacular and something you can see move, feel, smell and touch, possibly even ultimately own. No wonder this sale is making its mark in the Classic Car auction calendar as a celebration of the early days of motoring and engineering.
Silverstone Auctions
One of the many remarkable cars showcased in this sale is the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom, prepared in Paris by renowned Rolls-Royce racer, James Radley, for the late King Mohammed V of Morocco. This fabulous Carrosserie-bodied Phantom has been subject to a recently finished, no expense spared, long-term restoration that started in 1985.
Mohammed V was Sultan of Morocco from 1927 to 1953; he was Sultan again upon his return from exile in 1955, and as King from 1957 to 1961. Sultan Muhammad V was a central figure in the independence movement in Morocco, or as it is also called: the Revolution of the King and the People.
Silverstone Auctions
The ultimate Edwardian touring car – this 112 year old stunning C-Type has been painstakingly restored to replicate the Works Russian Reliability Trial cars of 1911. Running and driving without fault it is a very useable motor car suitable for a plethora of events.
The Vauxhall Prince Henry was an inspiring automobile manufactured from 1911-1914 by a British company—Vauxhall Motors Limited of Chalton, England—and widely recognized as the first “Sports Car” ever created. This Vauxhall is considered the very “first” from a line of high-performance cars that the sports cars of today echo. The company’s draughtsman Laurence Pomeroy redesigned the 20 HP Vauxhall motor, offering a higher-tuned, 3054cc 4-cylinder, monobloc engine. A few of these Vauxhalls were entered into the RAC 2,000-mile trials and had a winning performance during speed trials at Brooklands.
Silverstone Auctions
A forerunner of the ‘Jaguar’ marque, ‘SS’ originally stood for the Swallow Sidecar & Coachbuilding Company, which had been founded in Blackpool, England by William Walmsley in 1922. Supplied new by Henlys in late 1934, this well-travelled SS1 is fresh from long-term ownership and appears to only need some light recommissioning.
The SS1, launched in 1932, is a close-coupled coupe based on the Standard Ensign 16hp. The chassis and body were designed by Lyons; a long bonnet, tiny passenger compartment and helmet-type front wings imply the ultimate in high performance of the time and this is what ultimately created a blueprint for Jaguars of the future, combining sporting good looks with a better-than-average specification. Indeed, so successful was Lyons’ new venture that production of Swallow-bodied cars ceased altogether in 1933, and SS Cars Limited was formed, initially as a subsidiary of the Swallow sidecar-building business.
The lovely period interior is trimmed in Burgundy Leather with Art Deco ‘sunburst’ door cards and sports its original steering wheel and dashboard including the combined 100mph speedometer and 5000rpm tach.
Silverstone Auctions are inviting further entries for the Dawn of Motoring Sale on August 4th at The Lygon Arms, Broadway. A wonderful auction dedicated to pre-war Motorcars, Motorcycles and Automobilia that celebrate the very early days of motoring and engineering. This auction is closely followed by the Classic Sale at Silverstone Festival on the 25th & 26th August which is open for all classics, competition and collectors’ cars. So, if you are considering the sale of a treasured item Silverstone Auctions would be delighted to assist you. For more information visit www.silverstoneauctions.com or contact the team on +44 (0) 1926 691 141.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
Rob Hubbard
Tel 01926 691141
rob@silverstoneauctions.com
ABOUT SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS
Formed in 2011, Silverstone Auctions is a world-class, specialist auction house for the sale of classic cars, modern supercars, all types of competition cars, modern and historic motorcycles as well as automotive memorabilia and became the UK’s market leading classic car auction house in 2020.
They hold the exclusive automotive auction rights for Silverstone circuit and host sales as stand-alone events as well as an integrated element of some of Europe’s biggest motorsport events such as the Silverstone Classic Festival.
In addition to our sales at the circuit, we also host a number of auctions each year at other major classic car events including the NEC Classic Motor Show and Supercar Fest. +44(0)1926 691141, www.silverstoneauctions.com
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