LOT 293

1969 Dennis D-Type Fire Engine/Car Transporter Registration no. XKK 54 Chassis no. 1.1204/231

Estimate: £35,000 - £40,000

Previous Lot

Next Lot

Lot 293

1969 Dennis D-Type Fire Engine/Car Transporter
Registration no. XKK 54 Chassis no. 1.1204/231

Goodwood Revival: Collector's Motor Cars and Automobilia|14 September 2019, 13:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood

1969 Dennis D-Type Fire Engine/Car Transporter
Registration no. XKK 54
Chassis no. 1.1204/231

*Supplied new as a fire engine to New South Wales, Australia
*Decommissioned and sold off in 1999
*Converted into a race transporter
*A regular sight at Goodwood

Footnotes

Since 2017, the Goodwood Road Racing Club has had the pleasure of having this Dennis D-Type Fire Engine at Goodwood to assist in providing a backdrop and promotional space to promote the Goodwood Road Racing Club Fellowship.

The Dennis has been housed at Goodwood for the 2019 season and in exchange the GRRC has provided the owner with access to Goodwood's headline events. The Dennis transporter has become the flagship for the Fellowship at its headline events at Goodwood, and always draws a crowd as it often carries a competition car on the back, which really attracts attention.

Chassis number '1.1204/231' was ordered late in 1969 and delivered to New South Wales (NSW) Fire Brigade in the early 1970s. It is one of 75 Dennis D Water Tenders supplied to NWS Fire Brigades, and served the Sydney suburb of Busby from November 1971 and later the rural townships of Warialda and Inverell before being decommissioned and sold off in 1999. Its original Australian registration was 'FBY-446'.

The vehicle was later purchased by classic car aficionado Norm Bolito, who had 'Dennis the Menace' converted into his team's new race car transporter to take the team's Chrysler competition vehicles to motor sports events across Australia. Noteworthy features include Bostrom air-ride seats, fold-out stainless steel workbench, gas barbecue, and a 12-volt fridge/freezer.

In 2003, the Dennis was returned to the UK by its current owner to transport his ex-Mike Hawthorn works 1955 Jaguar D-type. This was quite fitting as this Dennis 'D' is powered by a 1964 4.2-litre Jaguar XK engine, and 1958 Formula 1 World Champion Hawthorn worked at Dennis Bros for a while.

The Goodwood Road Racing Club has thoroughly enjoyed working with the owner and is truly grateful that it has had access to the Dennis for the last few years. The GRRRC would love the opportunity to continue this relationship with the vehicle's new owner. The vehicle is MoT'd to August 2020 and comes with a V5C Registration Certificate.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import License or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such License or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancelation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge a Buyer's Premium on the Hammer Price of each Lot purchased and this is subject to VAT. Some lots may also be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price and these lots will be clearly marked with a symbol (†, Ω, *) printed beside the lot number.
For Automobilia the Buyer's Premium is 28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price; 27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,001 up to and including £800,000; 21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,001 up to and including £4,500,000 and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,001.
For Motor Cars and Vehicle Registration Numbers the Buyer's Premium will be 15% on the first £500,000 of the hammer price of each Lot, and 12% on the balance thereafter.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% + VAT of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Buyers Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.
- Automobilia
- Cars

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Cars specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Specialist section

Toby Wilson

Head of Department

Tel: +44 148 344 5495

[email protected]

Auction Viewings

13 September 2019, 09:00 - 17:00 BST

£35,000 - £45,000

1969 Dennis D-Type Fire Engine/Car Transporter Registration no. XKK 54 Chassis no. 1.1204/231

1969 Dennis D-Type Fire Engine/Car TransporterRegistration no. XKK 54Chassis no. 1.1204/231

Footnotes

Additional information

Auction information

Related Departments

Conditions of Sale

Own a similar item?

Looking for a similar item?

Specialist section

Toby Wilson

Motor Cars (UK)

Motor Cars (Europe)

Shipping (UK)

Auction Viewings

Bid now on these items

1973 Owen Sedanca

1957 Jaguar XK 150

1976 Rolls Royce Corniche

1935 Jaguar SS 2.5 Saloon

1963 Jaguar MKII

1987 Saab 900 Turbo Cabriolet

1910 Brasier 12/18HP 12C Tourer

Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939 c.1902 Progress 9hp Two-Seat Open Tourer

Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939 c.1905 Rover 8hp Two/Four Seat Open Tourer

Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939 c.1903 Baker Electric Two-Seat Runabout

Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939 c.1903 Swift 6hp Three-Seater

1969 Dennis D-Type Fire Engine/Car Transporter
Registration no. XKK 54 Chassis no. 1.1204/231

1969 Dennis D-Type Fire Engine/Car Transporter
Registration no. XKK 54
Chassis no. 1.1204/231

Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939
c.1902 Progress 9hp Two-Seat Open Tourer

Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939
c.1905 Rover 8hp Two/Four Seat Open Tourer

Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939
c.1903 Baker Electric Two-Seat Runabout

Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939
c.1903 Swift 6hp Three-Seater