Kiwi Classic Car Collection, including the Queen’s Rolls Royce, up for Auction
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When a rare and exclusive classic car is found residing in New Zealand, there is always a great deal of hubbub surrounding the occasion, but when 20 exotic and exclusive classic cars owned by one Kiwi family, including once used by Her Majesty the Queen, goes under the hammer, everyone in the classic car scene gets pretty excited. Such is the case with 20 cars from Kiwi family Maxine and Terry Sutherland’s First Classic Classics collection going to auction courtesy of Webb’s Auction House.
The big attraction to the sale is the 1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Limousine which was used to transport the Queen around during one of her earlier trips to New Zealand. With a starting bid of $250,000NZ, Webb’s estimate the royal Bentley could go for as high as $300,000NZ. However, for someone after a piece of monarchical motoring history, the sky could really well be the limit.
An immaculate stand out in the Sutherland stable is a 1971 Citroen SM. With a Maserati V6 and gorgeous lines, an SM is a rare sight on New Zealand Roads, let alone with 104,000kms and in such good condition as this. Webb’s suggest this stunning Sm will fetch between $165,000NZ and $175,000NZ.
Along with some truly stunning luxury liners including an Armstrong Siddley Sapphire Limousine, two Daimler DS40 Limousines, and a 1956 Bentley S1, an unbelievably rare 1952 Bentley Mark VI Drop head Coupe is also finding a new home thanks to Webb’s.
As the first post war model Bentley produced, the Drop-Head Coupe came as a result of Bentley wanting to be different from other British luxury car makers at the time by offering limited run coach built cars to their most loyal customers. Available from a range of famous coach builders, the two door Drop Head Coupe was built by Park Ward and is one of only 74 ever produced, making it one of the rarest Bentleys in the world, let alone New Zealand.
With a beefy no nonsense 4.6 litre straight six, the Drop Head became the fastest five seater car in the world at that time, with a top speed exceeding 100mph! Webb’s say it should fetch at least $300,000 but with collectors eyeing up this battleship of a car, who knows.
In the pre-war department, the Sutherland family are also offering up a 1936 Auburn 654 Cabriolet. While not quite as collectible as the jaw dropping Auburn Speedster, the 654 is still an amazing piece of a prominent and iconic American brand. It may not have been bursting with power at 85hp and a three-speed synchro gearbox, for the time, it was more than adequate. This example was found in New Zealand in a field in the 1950s, and is one of 6 believed to have been imported into the country. Prices are expected to be between $100,000NZ and $125,000NZ.
At the other end of the scale, as in the less expensive side, we find a couple of honest humble British classics including an Austin A30 four door, which is expected to sell for between $7,000 and $9,000NZ, and this very well looked after 1959 Morris Minor Traveller.
These are really starting to become collectible, with many buyers eager to add them to their collection. With a starting bid of $45,000-$50,000NZ, this sweet little Traveller is New Zealand new, being first registered in Christchurch in 1959. Since then it has been used as a daily driver by multiple owners and has been treated to a 10-year body off restoration by an original British Motor Corporation, BMC, mechanic.
The auction is scheduled to take place at Webb’s on Sunday 18th of August, and yes, you can bid online. Head to auctions.webbs.co.nz for more information.