Birkin’s Brooklands Bentley to sell at Goodwood

| 14 Dec 2011

The 1923-32 41/2-litre which set the Brooklands Outer Circuit Lap Record at more than 137mph in 1931 in the hands of Bentley Boy Tim Birkin is to be sold at next year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The supercharged single-seater is the jewel in the crown of the seven-car strong Bonhams consignment from the estate of the late George Daniels CBE, a noted horologist, and keen veteran and vintage racing enthusiast.

Other highlights include a 1908 Itala 100hp Grand Prix 12-litre racer, that won the French Grand Prix the same year and held the Brooklands All-comers Plate for the fastest lap (101.8mph), plus a 1907 Daimler 45hp Roi-de-Belges Tourer originally built for the Earl of Craven.

Also going under the hammer in the 28 June sale are further pair of desirable Bentleys: a Vanden Plas-bodied 1929 4½-litre Bentley Tourer that previously belonged to the Maharaja of Bhavnagar and a 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback by HJ Mulliner.

Bonhams has yet to release individual estimates but has confirmed that the collection’s combined result could break the £7m mark – meaning the sale total should smash 2011’s £7.18m takings.

Bonhams’ James Knight, said: “We are immensely proud to have been selected to handle the George Daniels collection. It promises to be one of those landmark collection sales that will be talked about for years to come.”

See Bonhams for more.