Classic Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia

It has built-in machine guns, grenade storage, an ejector seat and it’s up for grabs. James Bond’s 1965 Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger and Thunderball is going under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s this month.

As an auction house, what sale format do you squeeze an amphibious vehicle or a 12m long sofa into? When it comes to the ‘weird and wonderful’, auctioneers often face a challenge.

Bonham’s annual sale devoted to Aston Martin features old and new models of the classic British car – including some James Bond favourites – as well as a wide array of automobilia.

For just one day in April, Bonhams New Bond Street saleroom will host an exhibition in celebration of the centenary of the legendary car marque Bentley.

Items with royal connections have extra cache for buyers when it comes to desirability and price. Here are four objects with direct connections to noble owners that are currently for sale across dealerships and auctions.

Calling all international spies, or maybe a super sleuth: can you track down a James Bond Aston Martin car stolen more than 20 years ago?

A 1908 vintage car made by the Thomas Motor Company of New York was the highlight of a sale at Duke’s Auctioneers in Dorset.

You have to feel some sympathy for the innovative designers Charles Linley and John Biggs. Having just perfected a classic bicycle using an ingenious method of shock absorbing for a solid-tyre bike, then the pneumatic tyre came along.

Items from Themed Garages, a well known automobilia company that holds one of the most notable collections of motoring-related artefacts in the UK, will be offered at a Cheffins auction later this month.

What could be more rock ‘n’ roll than roaring around your own extensive estate on a motorbike, helter skelter? The H&H Classics saleroom is offering one such machine.

Fancy owning one of the earliest vehicles on the road and racing it down to Brighton? Now’s your chance as more than 20 vintage cars, many restored and fit to compete in the 120-year old veteran run, are to be sold in early November.

A car owned by the winner of the first ever British Touring Car Championship back in 1958 was the highlight of Bonhams’ Goodwood Revival sale at the weekend, taking double its estimate.

Auction house Bonhams has a montage of motoring memorabilia and famous classic cars on the block today to coincide with the three-day festival at Goodwood Circuit in west Sussex.

The value of musical instruments outpaced the investment in classic cars and fine art last year, according to a survey by a private bank.

Californian agriculturalist Lindley Bothwell (1901-86) made a fortune growing oranges in the San Fernando Valley and devoted much of his prosperity to classic cars.