LOT 404

1931 Auburn 8-98 Aero Sports Registration no. NXS 126 Chassis no. 11068

Estimate: £150,000 - £160,000

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Lot 404

1931 Auburn 8-98 Aero Sports

Goodwood Revival: Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia|17 September 2022, 13:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood

1931 Auburn 8-98 Aero Sports
Registration no. NXS 126
Chassis no. 11068

• Built by an engineer and enthusiast
• WWI Sturtevant 9.8-litre V8 aero engine
• Ford five-speed all-synchromesh gearbox
• Servo assisted brakes
• Electric power steering
• Beaulieu concours winner 2020

Footnotes

Constructed by the vendor, an engineer and enthusiast, this unique special is based on a 1931 Auburn 898 chassis found in Ypres, Belgium where the car was being used as a farm trailer (it had Belgian registration documents). The front axle is Auburn and the chassis is now inverted and under-slung to achieve a low ground clearance. Bodywork is by Simon Parker in brushed aluminium, with all panels removable for ease of access, and it even has the luxury of a small luggage compartment, a rare feature indeed on a sporting special.
Dating from circa 1915, the power unit is a new-old-stock, never previously run Sturtevant Model 5A aero engine sourced from Auburn/Cord/Duesenberg specialist Glenn Pray in Oklahoma, USA. A water-cooled 9.8-litre 'flat head' V8 producing 140bhp at 1,400 revs and bags of torque, it has a pumped lubrication system that runs at 35psi and a Castrol R dripper to the upper cylinders. In common with all aviation piston engines, there are two ignition systems: magneto and battery/coil. The engine runs on ordinary pump fuel. There are two Kenlowe electric cooling fans and a standby electric water pump if required. The original compressed air starting system has been retained, fed by a bottle in the boot, while there is also an electric starter that works on the bespoke flywheel.
Drive is transmitted via a dual-paddle clutch to a Ford MT75 five-speed synchromesh gearbox. The final drive assembly is from a Jaguar E-Type; the inboard discs now converted to sprockets for the twin drive chains! The sprockets give a 2:1 step up ration to the bespoke rear axle. Brakes are Auburn drums with additional cooling fins and Land Rover hydraulics hidden within. The brakes are servo assisted. To give the car adequate ground clearance, 35" wheel rims (made in New Zealand) were spoked to the original Auburn hubs (drilled for additional spokes). There is electric power steering, while other notable features include a detachable steering wheel and a stainless steel exhaust.
This ambitious project took approximately three years to complete and in 2018 was shown at the opening of the new wing at the Sammy Miller Museum. The Auburn Aero went on to win the Beaulieu concours in 2020. Fewer than 2,000 miles have been covered since the project's completion. Looking like it has just come from the grid of a 1930s Indianapolis 500, this wonderful and unique Miller-style special is guaranteed to stop the traffic wherever it goes.

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
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If you have any complaints or questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest customer services team.
Buyers Premium and Charges
Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge what is known as a Buyer's Premium. Buyer's Premium on all Automobilia lots will adhere to Bonhams group policy:
27.5% on the first £20,000 of the hammer price;
26% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £20,000 up to and including £700,000;
20% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £700,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
For Motor Cars and Motorcycles a 15% Buyer's Premium is payable on the first £500,000 of the final Hammer Price of each Lot, and 12% on any amount by which the Hammer Price exceeds £500,000. VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Some lots may be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price. These lots will be clearly marked with the relevant symbol printed beside the lot number in the catalogue.
Collection Notices
As a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Goodwood will be closed on Monday 19 September, a Bank Holiday, for the State Funeral.
Collection of Motor Cars will be postponed to Tuesday 20 September from 0900 until 1200, after which any uncollected Lots will be removed to store at Buyer / Vendor expense, as the case may be.
Automobilia Lots will be removed on the evening of Sunday 18 September.
It will not be possible to collect Motor Car Lots until Tuesday 20 September.
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For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
Please Note the Automobilia department do not ship out purchased lots, please contact them to be advised of recommended shippers.
All lots not collected at the sale will be charged an Uplift fee as the lots are taken back to storage in Guildford.
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Lot Symbols
•
EXEMPT FROM VAT
Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.
IMPORT LOW RATE
VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
AR
ARTISTS RESALE RIGHT
Goods subject to Artists Resale Right Additional Premium.
N
NOVA DECLARATION
MOTORCYCLES If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £125 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.CARSIf purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (CARS) to undertake the NOVA on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £250 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.
Ω
IMPORT HIGH RATE
VAT on imported items at the prevailing rate on Hammer Price and Buyer's Premium.
AUTOMOBILIA
All lots will be charged £10 + VAT Uplift and storage at £1 + VAT per day per lot.
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UPLIFT AND STORAGE CHARGES
£25 + VAT uplift and storage at £5 + VAT per lot per day.
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UPLIFT AND STORAGE CHARGES
£50 + VAT uplift and storage at £10 + VAT per lot per day
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SPECIALIST SHIPPING AND STORAGE
All lots marked with 3 diamonds will require specific shipping and storage arrangements, as they are either extremely heavy or large items, they will be removed by Autofreight Ltd, who provide independent uplift and storage services for larger lots. There are charges for this service and for storage in their warehouse in Guildford, Surrey, at the buyers expense.
Please contact John Wood, Autofreight Ltd, by phone 01483 222256, or email [email protected] for further information, details of costs and charges or to arrange collection from GU3 3HD.
Shippers or Agents wishing to collect on behalf of the purchaser must provide written instruction from the client before Bonhams will release the lot(s). All purchases are at Buyers risk from the fall of the hammer.
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