Australia’s leading auctioneer of collectors’ cars, Bonhams & Goodman, has recently made some significant appointments to the Collectors’ Cars Department. 2007 has commenced with the appointment of Robert Glover as National Head of Collector’s Cars, and Paul Blank, a well known classic car events organiser and motoring writer, appointed as Consultant Specialist, Collectors Cars, Perth.
Robert Glover, formerly a specialist at Bonhams’ London office, is a passionate cars enthusiast. Although only in his twenties, Robert has grown up around the smell of burning Castrol and his knowledge belies his years. ‘Having a father involved in historic and collectors’ motor cars is often the reason people get into the historic motoring scene’, says Glover. ‘I am no exception. My earliest memories are of motoring with my family in one of the 1927 Alvis 12/50s my father restored. I spent most weekends in the garage with my father while he maintained his cars and continued to rebuild his Frazer-Nash special (the Beckenham special).’
Robert joined Bonhams in the United Kingdom with the Automobilia Department to learn about the auction process. He then moved to the Collectors’ Car department where he spent three amazing years learning about International car auctions. ‘Bonhams was the obvious choice, as I wanted to be involved with the most exciting cars on the market from the outset’, says Glover.
Helping Glover ramp up business around Australia in 2007 will be Paul Blank in Perth. Paul has a wealth of experience with the old car movement and is an active member of several car clubs as well as organiser of events including the Classic Rally, Classics in the Park, The Ultimate Grand Prix Experience and Classic Challenge. On his appointment, Paul said, ‘It is a pleasure to become involved with such a well respected international company as Bonhams, which I believe will offer an unparalleled service to both sellers and buyers of important collectable cars in Western Australia’.
The first national auction of collector’s cars will be held on Sunday 25 March at the new Melbourne rooms. There will also be a selection of cars for the auction on view in Sydney and Perth. ‘We are delighted to have the opportunity to increase our presence in Western Australia. This exciting new auction format will provide sellers with a superb platform from which to offer their collectors’ cars to a huge audience in Australia and overseas. It will give buyers around the globe the opportunity to purchase exciting vehicles that they might not otherwise have known were for sale.’ Robert Glover said.
With offices in the UK, Europe, US and Australia and representatives around the globe, Bonhams worldwide motoring network has more combined experience in the auction of collectors’ vehicles than any other company. Last October Bonhams & Goodman achieved the new world record price for a Mercedes-Benz 300SL ‘Gullwing’ (steel body) achieving $770,000 – just one of the many records achieved by the Company across all categories over the year.
Early entries for the March Sale include a superbly restored Ford Falcon GTHO and the circa 1925 3/4 ½ Lt Bentley “Old Mother Gun” Le Mans Replica, the superb restoration recently completed.
With values of Australian ‘muscle cars’ increasing rapidly, the GTHO with its Alan Moffat connections, must be the undisputed king of Australian muscle and will attract much interest from the top collectors in the country. The Bentley is expected to attract bidders from around the world.
Robert Glover will be travelling around Australia in February visiting Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria consigning items for the March auction along with seven other Bonhams & Goodman specialists across all categories at the Great Bonhams & Goodman National Antiques and Art Discovery Week.
For further information contact:
Janan Bey, National Head of Marketing and Media Relations
Tel +61 3 9823 6270 or [email protected]
For a full calendar of forthcoming auction events see www.bonhamsandgoodman.com.au