Single-Owner Car Collection to be Offered at Bonhams’ Goodwood Sale

The collection – comprising 14 motor cars, one carriage and a Victorian hearse – comes from the late Kingsley Curtis, the pioneering chairman of refrigeration company, HRP.

Leading the collection is the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, estimated at £800,000-1,000,000.

“The model featured is a highly sought after, early 1955 example of a Mercedes-Benz Gullwing – chassis number 37,” says Tim Schofield, Bonhams UK Head of Motoring.

“The majority of Gullwings were delivered to the US. To see one in Europe was incredibly rare, making this particular model, only the third delivered to the UK, quite the trailblazer. With its unusual upright wing-like doors, and exceptional German engineering, it would have been quite a rare sight to see.”

Kingsley purchased his first classic car in 1963, following a chance sighting at the White Cross pub in Richmond. It was here that he saw a 1924 Bean 11.9 parked outside, and so profound was his admiration for it, he swiftly purchased the car on the spot, instigating a lifelong passion for classic motor cars.

After taking over HRP from his father, the company founder, Kingsley then moved to Suffolk where he continued to excel in business and his enthusiasm for classic motor cars grew.

“The collection is incredibly diverse, featuring high quality examples of each model, most of which have been in Mr. Curtis’s collection for many years,” added Mr Schofield.

“Each car in the collection had a purpose; the 1923 Bentley 3-Litre TT Replica, his favourite car, was used for local touring, the Maserati for long drives, and the Aston Martin as a summer car. We’re delighted to now offer these at auction for the first time.”

Bonhams Members’ Meeting sale will take place at Goodwood Motor Circuit, Chichester, on Sunday 20 March 2016.