Best of Bonhams

1904 Mercedes-Simplex 28-32hp Five Seat Rear Entrance Tonneau

"The Mercedes made all existing cars look out of date" – John Bolster, The Upper Crust. While the start of the legendary Daimler-Benz story can be charted back to the Patent Motorwagen of 1886, universally accepted as the 'birth of the automobile', the connotations of refinement, quality and luxury that we associate with the brand today can better be traced to the introduction of Daimler's 'Mercedes' product in 1901. This remarkable automobile heralded from that early generation of what quickly became the finest automobile that could be bought anywhere in the world.

One of the finest Veteran cars ever offered for auction, this Mercedes-Simplex sold for $2,805,000 at our Quail Lodge Auction in 2016.

1894-5 Peugeot Type 5 2½Hp Twin-Cylinder Two-Seater

Alongside Benz, Peugeot are one of very few brands to have perpetuated to the modern day, and those of this age are undoubtedly a leap forward in technology from the German competitor, making them extremely significant and important machines. They very rarely come to market and are seldom found outside of national museums or international collections.

One of the oldest cars ever offered by Bonhams, this example sold for £356,500 in our 2018 London to Brighton Run Sale.

1903 Darracq 24hp Model JJ Rear-Entrance Tonneau

This 1903, 24hp Darracq - one of only two known - was delivered new to Mr Albert Arvengas (born 10.02.1858) of Paris in 1903 or late 1902. In May 1903, Mr Arvengas took the car as a 'Touriste', accompanying the infamous Paris-Madrid 'race to death'.

The Darracq was not very large, but with its engine size, its performance, and its confirmed provenance, is undoubtedly an important car and certainly one of the most imposing on the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. This car was sold by Bonhams in the 2018 London to Brighton Run Sale for £599,640.

"LE PAPILLON BLEU"

1901 Panhard-Levassor

'The Progenitor of the London to Brighton Run' – David Burgess-Wise

7hp Panhards have long been considered as one of the definitive ways to campaign the London to Brighton, and they are rightfully coveted. Their user friendly 'Systeme Panhard' controls make them a good deal more manageable than many of their peers, and then you have the aesthetics, the iconic 'serpentine' radiator, bonnet, large wheels and chain-drive which combine in a beautiful harmony that was copied almost universally.

Among all surviving automobiles of the pioneering Veteran era, this is one of the most famous. It has an unparalleled history of being cherished from the day it was commissioned and has resided in a handful of notable ownerships throughout its life, better still it is one of that 'rara avis' of named cars.

Unique and with incredible provenance, “Le Papillon Bleu” sold for £442,750 at our 2019 London to Brighton Run Sale.

1904 Pipe Serie E 15CV Four-Cylinder Rear-Entrance Tonneau

In any era a car which has been in single ownership from new is coveted, there can be few that challenge this cars 118 year tenure! This remarkable example of Pipe manufacturing dates just prior to the introduction of the Pfänder powered cars. It was an utterly remarkable, unspoilt, totally intact automobile from the hallowed pre-1905 era, one of very few such survivors and provided a unique insight into the cars that the company built in this period.

The ultimate Veteran ‘Barn Find’, when offered at the Bonhams Paris Sale in 2022, this car presented an amazing, truly once in century opportunity the importance of which could not be underestimated. It sold for €759,000.