Varied classic vehicle collection set for on-site auction after new custodian proves elusive for popular Devon attraction
Excitement is building ahead of a unique museum collection sale next month, with over 150 vehicles set to be put under the hammer by Charterhouse. The sale will take place in situ at the Moretonhampstead Motor Museum, following the reluctant decision by founder and curator Frank Loft to close the doors of the popular Devon classic car attraction after a new custodian could not be found.
Located in a refurbished 1930s building with a wonderful art deco frontage, the museum first opened in June 2013. It expanded to house over 150 historic motor cars and motorcycles, plus a diverse range of automobilia. The collection spans 1905-2023 and includes a 1918 De Dion Bouton, a 1929 Rolls-Royce, a D-Type replica and a Jaguar XK150, but many of the vehicles are everyman British classics.
With Frank keeping a Rover 14 for himself and a handful of loaned cars returning to their owners, the rest will be offered for auction. Naturally Frank was inundated by auction houses keen to conduct the sale, but responsibility for the task has been handed to experienced Dorset firm Charterhouse Auctioneers. Director Richard Brommell and his team are no stranger to off-site classic car sales – see page 8 for the report on Charterhouse’s latest auction at the Haynes Motor Museum.
“I’ve had a lot of interest from various auction houses, but my association with Charterhouse, Richard and many of his staff goes back to around 2007-2008 I think, when I was buying cars for my own personal gratification,” Frank explained.
Museum founder, Frank Loft (left), with Charterhouse’s Richard Brommell
Here at Classics World, we were lucky enough to enjoy a behind the scenes visit to the museum as the lots were being prepared. Generally speaking, the vehicles are not concours, but many boast low mileages and are very honest examples. During the time of our visit, an experienced retired mechanic, Roland, was working his way through the cars to ensure they started, went into gear and rolled freely where possible.
“Honest is a good word for them, solid is another,” Frank explained. “When you look at the cost of restoration now, that’s where a huge amount of money can go. Mechanically, I’ve driven more or less every single car when I first got it and for a little while before it came inside the museum. They’ll be recommissioning needed on the brakes and things like that on quite a few of them, but some will be on the button and fully operational.”
Viewing is set to take place on Wednesday May 14, with the automobilia and motorcycle sale on May 15, and the vehicles on May 16. Entry on both auction days is by catalogue only. Starting cars on site during viewing will be problematic with fire alarms, but video shots of vehicles being started will be uploaded online as part of the auction catalogue.
“Forty years now I’ve been doing this, and I’ve not had this level of interest at this moment in time before an auction,” said Richard.” I think it’s going to be hugely popular – we’re only 20 minutes from Exeter, with good road links and rail links.
“A lot of it is relatively affordable too – it’s not a high-brow auction full of SSK Mercedes-Benz. There’s something here for everyone. You have pre-war up to modern classics, you’ve got fast Fords, you’ve got cars that, up until quite recently, we used to see on the roads a lot.”
For more details on the sale, keep an eye on the Charterhouse website.
