WISBOROUGH GREEN.- Bellmans will hold the first auction dedicated to Cars & Automobilia at its auction rooms in West Sussex on Friday, 16th May 2025. The undoubted highlight is a car that comes with a captivating blend of celebrity provenance and British automotive excellence: the 2002 Aston Martin Vanquish formerly owned by none other than Hugh Grant.

Grant purchased the then brand new Vanquish shortly after filming About a Boy. His co-star, a young Nicholas Hoult, is believed to have talked to the super star about cars and insisted that the Vanquish was the car to have. Holt in return may have himself been persuaded by the car's other celebrity driver, James Bond in Die Another Day.

Inspired, he bought the Vanquish, but not before commissioning a bespoke 2+2 seating configuration, making this an especially rare example of Aston Martin’s early-2000s flagship model. This striking grand tourer finished in elegant Solway Grey is a time capsule of early 21st-century luxury inside with its rich Charcoal leather interior, satellite navigation, built-in phone and premium sound system.

Beneath the bonnet, the 5.9-litre V12 still impresses with a guttural roar as the engine comes to life. It’s easy to see why this remained and remains a favourite for the James Bond franchise.

This is a rare opportunity to acquire a modern classic with a silver screen pedigree—this is a car that appeals to collectors, film fans, and drivers alike.

The car will be offered with an estimate of £50,000 - £70,000 in this sale at Bellmans with viewings available prior to the auction. Don’t miss the chance to own an Aston Martin that’s every bit as charming and quintessentially British as its first owner.

Other highlights of the sale include a 1912 Willys Overland 30HP Two-Seater Roadster. This increasingly rare example of early American motoring represents a moment in history that will appeal to serious collectors interested in honest and usable early automobile examples. The car is accompanied by an extensive file of documentation, including restoration details, service records, and a wide range of historical material that supports the provenance and ongoing care of the car. The Roadster is offered at £24,000 - £30,000.

Equally exciting is a rare entry form for the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb of 1934 signed by the driver Whitney Straight. The lot includes three blown up photographic prints of Whitney Straight and an original copy of the regulations book for the first South Africa Grand Prix in which Whitney Straight raced. Bids for this piece of motoring history start at £1000.