Early Vehicles in Demand at Auction

Buyer’s were out in force for Tennants Auctioneers’ Motor Vehicle and Automobilia Sale on 7^th October. With a lively atmosphere in the saleroom, and an unusually high number of internet bidders joining in from across the world, the sale saw strong results for early vehicles in particular.

The top lots of the sale, which were sourced from the same vendor, were two 1920s Austin Seven ‘Chummies’. The first car, which sold for £15,500 (plus buyer’s premium), was a dark blue over black example first registered in 1925; restored and in good working order, the Chummy had been driven long distance to Leyburn by its owner.  The second car, registered in 1928 and also in blue over black, was sold for £12,700 (plus buyer’s premium). The Austin "Seven" was introduced in 1922 and remained in production until 1939. Built at Longbridge, Birmingham, it was intended to provide affordable four-wheel transport for the working man and his family.  The earliest models had a 696cc engine and a three-speed crash gearbox, with a wheelbase of six feet three inches. It was available only as an open tourer with just enough room for two adults and two small children. This type of body was and is known as a "Chummy".

From a century earlier, a stately early 19^th Century horse-drawn coach built by Thrupp and Maberly sold for £10,600 (plus buyer’s premium). The coach belonged to the Chaloner family at Gisborough Hall, North Yorkshire, and once had the family’s crest emblazoned on the door. Thrupp and Maberly was a British coachbuilding business based in the West End of London; coach makers to Queen Victoria, they operated for more than two centuries. The good maker’s name and excellent provenance tempted buyers – and it sold for just above top estimate to an online bidder.

The sale resulted in a total hammer price of £125,610 for 256 lots, with an 82% sold rate.

We are currently accepting lots for the next sale of Vintage Motor Vehicles & Automobilia in Spring 2019.

View full sale results.