Meet The Specialist

What do you do at Bonhams?

I am UK Head of Department, Collectors’ Motor Cars. We hold several sales a year including Goodwood Revival, Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Bond Street Sale.

Where are you from? And what inspired you to go into the auction world? 

I was born in Saddleworth in the North West of England, went to school in North Wales and read Engineering at Bristol. My love of motor cars is definitely in the blood; my father was a great enthusiast and his older brother was a well-known Lagonda restorer. Two months before my finals I applied for a job with a classic car dealer in Kensington. I didn’t take it, but I was certainly in the right place at the right time because on the very same day as the interview another dealer/auctioneer offered me a position. I accepted immediately. That was in 1994!

What was your first job? 

I was a planning engineer for AMEC on a large shopping centre development. It was part of my course, but I was paid enough to indulge my passion for cars and bikes. I bought my first Golf GTi, Ducati Motorcycle and, a Beach Buggy - ideal for the balmy climate of the Cheshire Riviera (aka Abersoch in North Wales).

 Name one of your triumphs:

The WilliamsF1 Collection in 2005. It was a hand-picked selection of more than 20 of the WilliamsF1’s Reserve Collection of Formula One cars and memorabilia, spanning the company’s entire 28-year history. A client got in touch four weeks before the auction asking how much for the catalogue. When I told him it was £20, I got the shock of my life when he said. “Not the paper catalogue. I want to buy everything in the sale.” A figure was eventually agreed and, uniquely in my career, we sold the entire catalogue to one client.

What has changed in the business since you first started? 

The internet has been a game-changer – in these past few months, in particular, when we have been unable to hold traditional sales. Viewing days are very important for motor car auctions. They are a crucial opportunity for potential buyers to look under the bonnet. We’ve been able to provide virtual tours of cars online and that has made a real difference.

What is your strength as a specialist? 

A great memory for cars, names and faces.

What’s exciting you about your next sale?

I’ve always had a strong affiliation with Aston Martins having run the annual marque sale so I’m particularly excited about offering the pre-production Special Aston Martin V8 Zagato. To drive these cars is nothing like driving their V8 Vantage brothers and I find the ‘80s Zagato design brutal and hugely appealing – a real wolf in wolf’s clothes!

Do you have a hidden talent? 

I have a competition motorsport licence but no race car, a powerboat licence but no boat and a shotgun licence but no gun – a case of all the idea but no gear!

Which car has changed your life? 

The sale of the record-breaking Mercedes-Benz W196 at Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2013. At the time it was the most valuable motor car sold at auction. The auction as a whole realized £36m to become the highest-grossing auction of motor cars in Europe. It was incredible to be part of the team who conducted that Sale.

Tim Schofield is Head of Department for Collectors’ Motor Cars in the UK. He can be reached on Tim.Schofield@bonhams.com