Bonhams The Golden Age of Motoring Sale 2026

Bonhams' Golden Age of Motoring Sale takes place on Friday 30 October 2026 at its New Bond Street saleroom in London. Bonhams calls the sale "the traditional curtain raiser" to the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, which follows two days later. Automobilia starts with lot 1 at 13:00 GMT and the motor cars start with lot 201 at 17:00. The catalogue lists around 180 lots.

The headline consignment for 2026 is 'The Somerset Hoard', a group of veteran cars that Old Cars Weekly reports had been hidden away since the Second World War. It is led by a 1904 Darracq 10hp twin-cylinder swing-seat tonneau estimated at £150,000-200,000. Other early cars include a 1910 Brasier 12/18hp tourer (£40,000-60,000). The automobilia section runs from grease guns and petrol cans to a Napier tool roll supplied by S.F. Edge Ltd.

Many pre-1905 cars sold here are eligible for the Brighton Run, which is part of the sale's appeal. Past results show the range: in 2020 a 1932 Fowler B6 showman's road locomotive, 'The Lion', sold for £911,000. In 2025 the top lot was the 1902 'Bolster' Panhard et Levassor, and a 1915 Mercedes 22/50hp tourer made £167,900.

Public viewing is held at New Bond Street on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October, 09:00-17:00 each day. The sale can be followed and bid on online as well as in the room.