Bonhams will offer some fascinating cars with royal pedigree and celebrity former owners at its Harrogate sale, on November 13. One of the most interesting pieces of Bonhams’ “Collectors’ Motor Cars, Motorcycles and Related Memorabilia” sale is 1968 Morris Minor 1000 Saloon that once belonged to Sophie Rhys-Jones. Estimated to fetch between £5,000 and £7,000 ($8,100 – $11,400), was the first car of the Countess of Wessex, and was gifted to her in 1988 by her then boyfriend, Jeremy Barkley, and was used as personal transport before being sold later that same year. The Duke and Duchess of Wessex have been captured in this car while following the wedding of Prince Edward and Sophie on 19th June 1999 at Windsor Castle. A copy of the Sunday Mirror’s article where Minor carrying them comes with the car.
A humble ‘Moggy’, albeit one with royal connections, ‘NHW 564F’ is finished in maroon with red interior and described as in generally good-to-excellent condition. The car comes with old-style logbook, current MoT, Swansea V5 registration document and photographic evidence of Sophie Rhys-Jones’ past ownership.
The 1949 convertible Triumph Roadster 2000 from the popular BBC series “Bergerac” will be also part of the November sale. Thanks to its use by TV’s fictional Jersey detective Jim Bergerac (actor John Nettles) few post-war classics are as instantly recognisable as the Triumph Roadster. Estimated to sell for £25,000-30,000 ($40,500 – 48,600), the car was used by the BBC from 1985 until the series finished.
“We are delighted to be back at Harrogate once again for our annual sale, with a selection of cars to suit every taste and in the case of the Triumph and Morris Minor cars which reach beyond the normal motoring world to have connections with royalty and popular culture,” said John Polson, of Bonhams car department.
