Vehicles owned by a Lancashire businessman snapped up for £3.6 million after worldwide interest
Bidders from around the world snapped up a remarkable collection of classic British cars created by a retired Lancashire businessman.
Ormskirk’s Gordon Willey spent years putting together an array of oustanding vehicles, guaranteed to set the pulse of any enthusiast racing.
The 12 cars, which had been kept in West Lancashire, sold at Bonhams Bond Street auction house in London for a totgal of £3.6 million. Antony Bennett, regional director for the auctioneers, said: ‘A chance telephone call to our Manchester offices led us to this most incredible local collection.
‘It was clear that these cars – which represent the best of British motoring – had been lovingly maintained over the years, so it was no surprise that they caught the attention of bidders from around the world.’
The multi-million-pound collection included an astonishing seven Bentleys, plus several rare, pre-war motor cars, such as the ex-Billy Cotton 1938 Frazer-Nash BMW 328 Roadster, sold for £617,500, the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon, sold for £516,700, and the ex-Nigel Dawes 1934 Invicta 4½-Litre ‘S’ Type Low Chassis Tourer, sold for £561,500.
Malcolm Barber, Bonhams co-chairman, said: ‘Offered by retired Lancashire businessman, Gordon Willey, this incredible collection was 100 per cent sold. An avid enthusiast with a penchant for pre-war classics, the collection features a variety of motor cars from great British marques, Bentley, Aston Martin, Frazer Nash and Invicta.’
Painstakingly assembled, the collection reflected a passion for cars of quality. ‘After many years taking pleasure from his diverse collection, Gordon felt it was time to afford his fellow enthusiasts the opportunity to own and enjoy these wonderful motor cars.’
The full list of cars sold
1964 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon – sold for £516,700
The ex-Nigel Dawes 1934 Invicta 4½-Litre ‘S’ Type Low Chassis Tourer – £561,500
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer – £667,900
The ex-Billy Cotton 1938 Frazer Nash-BMW 328 Roadster – £617,500
The ex-Nigel Dawes 1955 Frazer Nash Le Mans Coupé – £337,500
1939 Bentley 4¼-Litre ‘Razor Edge’ Brougham Saloon – £47,150
1935 Bentley 3½-Litre Sports Saloon – £42,550
1958 Bentley S-Series Continental Flying Spur Saloon – £186,300
1939 Bentley 4¼-Litre Drophead Coupé – £253,500
The ex-Alan Good 1938 Lagonda V12 Drophead Coupé – £152,700
1936 Bentley 4¼-Litre ‘Owen’ Sedanca Coupé – £119,100
c.1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre ‘High Vision’ Coupé – £96,700
