Motor museum to close its doors for good

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Collections come up for auction almost every day, but it’s not often that a complete motor museum makes it to the block. It happens now, as all of the cars, bikes, trucks, buses and fire engines of the Stondon Motor Museum will be sold off in a two-part sale by Brightwells on site.

The museum, some 40 miles north of central London, was set up in 1994 by John Saunders in the eight halls of a former garden centre. Many of the cars on exhibit were restored by Saunders himself and the museum was his way to share them. But when Saunders passed away in 2013, and with no interest from his children to continue the museum plus with dwindling visitor numbers - it is now decided to sell all of it – all 400 exhibits. The motorbikes will be first on April 29, with the cars and all of the rest to follow on June 10.

The majority of the cars is what we lovingly refer to as ‘bread-and-butter’ vehicles, with some exceptions to both extremes of the obscurity. A De Tomaso Deauville (main picture), Lea-Francis 14HP, ‘Towns’ Lagonda and a Rover SD1 police car will definitely attract buyers. With an Enfield Electric, Fiat 500 Impala and a Nobel as some of its attractive counterparts. Oh – and there is plenty more. From Rolls-Royce Camargue to a remarkably good looking Jowett Javelin. All of them are sold with no reserve, so a crowd is expected. Seethe full lot list for the cars sale here. What is your favourite?

(Words Jeroen Booij, picture courtesy Brightwells)

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