Meet the Specialist

What do you do at Bonhams?

I am a Specialist for the Bonhams MPH Motoring department, based at Bicester Heritage in Oxfordshire, where we hold five sales per year, with the next on 22 May.
In my day to day work, I value and consign motorcars from the early twentieth century, all the way through to some of the most recent vehicles off the production line.

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

I grew up in London - where I'm currently based - however, my father is from Denmark and my mother is English. I've always had a strong connection to auction houses as my mother began her career at Sotheby’s, where she stayed for 12 years. I grew up going to art and car auctions with my parents - they've always been mad about anything with an engine, dating back to my great grandfather, who owned some of the latest and greatest motorcars in the early and late 1900s. It seemed inevitable that I would follow in their footsteps.

What was your first job?

This is my first job! However, I previously worked as a Junior with the Motor Car team at Bonhams on New Bond Street, London.

Name one of your triumphs

During my first year as a Specialist, I consigned and sold a very intriguing 1925 Bentley 3-Litre Speed Model that had been owned by the same gentleman for sixty years, having bought it aged 21 as his first car. Upon closer inspection, the car was fitted with a Bentley 3-Litre 100mph Super Sport engine - a fantastic find!

I also consigned a fantastic Bedford Green Goddess at auction - which went on to achieve a world record price.

What has changed in the business since you started?

There has been a definite increase in online-only motor car auctions, which always keeps us on our toes. Our latest acquisition of the online sales platform The Market is an exciting development as it means that we can still offer exceptional client service, whilst also moving forward with an expanded offering for clients to choose how they wish to sell at auction.

What is your strength as a specialist?

I like to be utterly transparent and portray the maximum potential of each car to interested parties. It's really about selling the dream of ownership with some of these truly special cars. Being the youngest member of the global Motoring Specialist team, my strengths lie in the more modern super and hyper cars that I've grown up with.

What’s exciting you about your next sale?

Our next sale is at Bicester Heritage on Saturday 22 May. A few of my highlights from the sale include this 2001 Mercedes-Benz G500 Brabus 5.8 - one of the rarest Brabus conversions ever made, with hefty performance upgrades and an exceptionally low mileage of just under 30,000 miles. Moreover, it's just been serviced and given a clean bill of health by renowned Mercedes specialist John Haynes.

Another exciting lot in the sale is a 1988 Mercedes-Benz 500SE, which amazingly has only 8,400 miles from new – all covered by its first and only owner. It's in as-new condition and finished in delightful pearl grey with a lovely navy-blue interior. This presents truly an unmissable opportunity.

My third and final highlight is a 1961 Jaguar Mk II, uprated to 3.8-Litre. A lovely Mk II delivered new by Coombs of Guildford, the car is only on its second owner and fitted with a selection of performance upgrades. This model also has a re-built 3.8 engine, six-branch stainless steel sports exhaust system and a limited slip differential. Finished in gold over a delightful green leather interior with driver’s bucket seat, it's definitely a lot to look out for on 22 May.

Do you have a hidden talent?

I can identify almost any car by sound.

What was your first car?

My first car was a 2001 Land Rover Defender 90 TD5, which I bought before I had my driving license and had heavily modified just in time for me to pass my test. I still miss the sound of the side-exit straight through exhaust!

Tyger Tholstrup is a car specialist based in Bicester, Oxfordshire. He can be reached at tyger.tholstrup@bonhams.com. For more from our Motoring Team, follow @bonhamsmotoring on Instagram