LONDON.- Bonhams sale of Motor Cars and Automobilia realised over £2.25 million on April 11th, with over 80% sold by lot and 70% sold by value. Set in the spectacular Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon, the sale attracted a large crowd and enthusiastic bidding.

As expected, the phenomenal Ferraris, which formed part of a private collection and headlined the sale, were highly sought after. Of the four offered, three found new homes. Two of them - the 1999 Ferrari F50 Barchetta, built to commemorate the Maranello marque’s 50th anniversary, and the 1985 Ferrari 288GTO Berlinetta, one of the most desirable Ferraris of recent times, were sold ahead of the sale by private treaty, while the 2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale, described in the catalogue as ‘a thoroughly modern automobile employing state-of-the-art technology’, sold at the auction to a Continental telephone bidder.

Top prices were also paid for a 1901 De Dion Bouton, which sold for £97,200; a 1933 Delage D8 Foursome Drophead Coupé, which made £82,900; and a 1963 Bentley S3 Continental ‘Flying Spur’ Saloon, which fetched £79,600.

Another highlight was the unusual 1954 Allard Palm Beach Mk1 ‘Red Ram’ Roadster, which was fought over by seven phone bidders, three absentee bidders and ten bidders within the room, one of whom bought it for £52,100.