BIG DOLLAR BENTLEY DOMINATES SYDNEY AUCTION

While the result was great for the seller, the only downside for local car enthusiasts is that the Bentley will be leaving our shores after being purchased by an overseas buyer. Initially pursued by a number of bidders, as the price rose, the battle for the Bentley came down to a telephone slugging duel between two overseas enthusiasts.

The Bentley, with Freestone & Webb fabric coachwork, originally came from the estate of the late Mosman, Sydney sewing machine importer and avid Bentley enthusiast Alan Mingaye, who found the car lying partially disassembled under a tree in Turramurra, NSW in 1957. It received a full body-off-chassis restoration in 1980, but had not been driven regularly since 1988.

Shannons National Auction Manager Christophe Boribon said the price realised for the Bentley was a great result for the car, but not entirely unexpected considering its good provenance.

The Bentley's sale was a highlight of the auction that saw 18 of the 26 vehicle lots sold on the evening for a clearance rate of nearly 70 per cent in front of a large crowd at Shannons Sydney showroom in St. Leonards.

Full results and further details on this auction can be found at shannons.com.au