DORSET VINTAGE AND CLASSIC AUCTIONS REMAIN INDEFATIGABLE WHEN CHALLENGED.

Mr Brian Chant and his determined firm seldom, if ever, shrink from a challenge and, as can be seen in the lots on offer at their recently held specialist auction of vintage and classic vehicles and automobilia, they produced a really interesting catalogue, most exciting in content.

A private collection is always welcome and the local Samson Collection added great diversity and fine quality to the proceedings. The Collection began with half a dozen classic bicycles in grand order, followed by twelve immaculate and low mileage motorcycles, one with only 3 (that’s three) miles on the clock, 9 out of 12 of the latter were to find new homes.

At the other end of the scale, the Sansom Collection also contained more affordable classics in the shape of a 1962 Rock and Roll era Ford Consul Mk 2, making £7,150. Unsurprisingly, the lovely SD1 Rover 3500 went at a respectable £9,680, whilst the modern 216 Rover Cabriolet sold for £3300.  From the collection, the rare Singer Gazelle and the highly usable Ford Escort 1.8 LX Estate both remain available.

Other individual entries included two Land Rovers, a Series IIA taking a respectable £12,650 and a mighty £24,750 was achieved for one of those limited edition Heritage Defender 90 County TD5s in nice condition.

An imposing 1924 Sunbeam 24/70 Four Seat Tourer took the vintage devotees by storm and nuzzled close to the one hundred thousand pound mark, a well-deserved result for a very fine machine.

A Morris 1000 Traveller hit a new high at £15,400 but before you all bring Aunt Agatha’s love child in seeking a similar result, this one was/is stunning and deserved every penny paid.

A 1939 Morris Eight Series E saloon, defied those in the know, who sought to belittle the sale estimate and romped home at £7,150. Again it was lovely.

The MG TD Midget was a little careworn though in regular use, so the £14,300 paid seemed fair and a little over estimate. Morgans always excite and the pile of bits and pieces which might one day become a fabulous 1948 F4 three wheeler, did not disappoint at £4,620

An early Herald Convertible was probably much better than its outward appearance suggested so the £3,960 paid was possibly a shrewd buy for someone. Likewise, the new owner of the 1963 Austin Cambridge grabbed himself a usable and well-priced classic for £3,400, as did the person buying the 3.5 litre Rover P5B for £3,300.

If it had not been for that superb Sunbeam, the surprise of the day must surely have been the Westwood garden tractor, complete with mower which raised a staggering £977. To be fair, the vendor had polished it.

We are not too proud to admit to an organ failure. Despite being played con brio in the background during the bidding, the fabulous 1928 Voigt Fair Organ Model 34, 56 Keyless in its purpose built trailer, remains with us. We understand that it is likely that wind of it has reached its mother country and it may be on its way to foreign parts.

DVCA steadfastly continue to find new homes for the unsold items so a visit to the website at dvca.co.uk, clicking on to the Private Treaty Sales, is well worthwhile for those that were unable to bid on the day.