CAR fanatics who flocked to Bicester Heritage’s drive in event at the weekend also managed to bid for vehicles.

Bonhams MPH held its first live socially-distanced auction on Sunday which achieved a sale total of £1.26 million.

A mix of modern and classic cars were on offer including a 2018 McLaren 570S Spider, the first McLaren to be offered in an MPH auction which sold for £95,625, exceeding its top estimate of £80,000.

The car belonged to the late racing driver and Ladies Hillclimb Champion, Joy Rainey, and had been used to give charity rides but had covered fewer than 5,000 miles.

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Other highlights of the day included a collection of nine classic British cars such as a 1935 Alvis Speed 20SC which achieved £78,750, the second top sale of the day.

Bicester Advertiser:

An early 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Coupé sold for £76,500 as well as a 1995 Lancia Delta Integrale Evo II, which sold for £45,000.

A historic fire engine called a1931 Leyland Lioness Six FE, was also auctioned at £34,875.

Rob Hubbard, head of Bonhams MPH, said: “It was a welcome and successful return to our popular live, drive-through sale format. We welcomed an impressive number of clients, more than 2,500 viewers and bidders over the three days – while strictly following all social distancing and Covid-19 related guidelines.”

As well as the Bonhams MPH sale, the weekend saw the first live auction for the Bonhams Motor Cars Europe team in Bonmont, Switzerland, headlined by a 2012 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport Coupé.

James Knight, Bonhams Group Motoring Chairman, said: We’re very pleased that Bonhams has successfully conducted traditional live sales across the continent this weekend.

Bicester Advertiser:

“Some £9 million value of collectors’ motor cars were transacted by the Bonhams teams. The two auctions offered both ends of the spectrum in terms of value and clearly demonstrated an active demand across the board.

“We now look forward to our very active October series of sales in the UK, USA and Continental Europe.”

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Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery.

It has offices in London and moved to a new office in Bicester Heritage last June.

The auctioneer’s next car event is scheduled for December 12.