H&H Enjoys Milestone Year, Sets Many Records

H&H’s year-on-year success continued unabated in 2006, during which the 14-year old company again achieved numerous world sale records for collectors’ cars and automobilia, while simultaneously establishing itself as a rising star within the field of motorcycles, bicycles and related ephemera.

Motorcar highlights
In the last car sale of the year alone, world record prices were achieved for both a 1931 Talbot 105 Team Car and a 1930 2-litre Supercharged Lagonda Tourer. The top 10 prices for the year were:

1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe – £330,000
1931 Talbot 105 Fox & Nicholl Team Car ‘GO 54’ – £308,000
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Kombination Roadster – £285,000
1969/94 Ford GT40 Sports Racer – £225,000
1935 MG R-Type Racing Single Seater – £140,000
1937 Jaguar SS100 2.5 Litre Tourer – £140,000
1968 Brabham BT31 Racing Single Seater – £96,000
1939 Bentley 4.25 Litre Vanden Plas Style Tourer – £95,000
1949 Healey Silverstone D-Type – £89,000
1930 Lagonda 2 Litre Supercharged Tourer – £84,000

Motorcycle highlights
Not content with smashing the world record for 350cc Manx Nortons in the June sale, H&H decimated that for 500cc versions just four months later. Under the watchful eye of maestro George Beale, David Hawkins and his band of highly experienced consultants have made a notable impact on the European motorcycle auction scene. The top five prices for the year were:

1961 Norton Manx 30M 500cc – £32,000
1989/90 Honda RC30 – £27,500
1961 Norton Manx 30M 350cc – £24,750
1967 Suzuki TR50 – £18,700
2004 Seeley G50 MKII – £18,000

Automobilia highlights
H&H’s automobilia department continues to grow in stature under the stewardship of Matthew Kershaw and some memorable results were achieved in 2006 for everything from rally ephemera to children’s cars. Notable results included:

David Seigle-Morris Archives – £10,400
Barnato & Birkin Le Mans 24hrs Trophy Cup – £9,300
Bentley S-Type Sports Saloon Styling Buck – £2,700
Caltex double-sided enamel garage sign – £2,500
Bugatti Type 59 Child’s Battery Driven Car – £1,900

Bicycle highlights
Bicycles are becoming increasingly collectible items and H&H has proved equally adept at selling modern collectibles as the traditional Penny Farthings. Examples include:

1898 Solid Tyre Safety Bicycle – £1,540
Penny Farthing Bicycle – £1,045
1987 Hetchins Magnum Opus – £990

Investment in the future
To ensure its continuing success, H&H has not only invested in new staff, but systems and communications too.  A comprehensive new computer system will be launched in the New Year, as will the company’s updated website. Its regular newsletter, Classic Times, is now read by 40,000 people worldwide and is possibly the only publication anywhere to cover the entire spectrum of cars, motorcycles, bicycles and their related memorabilia.

H&H will hold six car sales and four motorcycle/bicycle sales in 2007. The first sale will be at Cheltenham Racecourse’s magnificent Centaur Complex on March 1. The company’s spiritual home of Buxton will feature once again, but some new venues are likely to make their debut during another busy year.

Commenting on the market in general, H&H’s MD Simon Hope said, “Although, there is plenty of money about much of it is being reserved for the very best cars and motorcycles – though, not necessarily those from the most prestigious marques. What buyers want are vehicles that are either exceptionally historic/original or in truly first class restored order. With refurbishment costs spiraling over the last few years, auction goers have become increasingly wary of anything that is perceived to need work. The exception to this rule are the most deserving ‘barn finds’, which attract a queue of people all eager to have the privilege of reviving an automotive masterpiece that has been left to slumber for too long.”

As in the past, four wheels or two, H&H will have offerings to suit all pockets in 2007.