A 1935 BENTLEY which has been stored in an old cart shed for the past 68 years is going under the hammer at a Dorset auctioneers.
The unearthed vintage vehicle is estimated to sell for £50,000 to 70,000 in the Charterhouse specialist auction of classic and vintage cars on October 12.
Richard Bromell of Sherborne-based Charterhouse says the find 'trumps all other previous discoveries'.
The Bentley rolled off the Derby production line in 1935. Bought by Philip Bushell it was dispatched to Thrupp and Maberly coachbuilders where a drop head coupe body was fitted.
Philip Bushell was a wealthy Australian tea merchant and the car was sent over to Australia. It returned to these shores and ended up being for sale in a Shaftesbury garage in 1954.
It was here that a 73 year old local farmer fell in love with the car and purchased the Bentley for £1,050, a not inconsiderable sum in those days. Bought as a “farm vehicle” the farmer disliked the yellow paintwork and had the car repainted in black, costing another £500.
The Bentley failed its MOT in 1968 but was brought out again in about 1971 by the current owner, the farmers’ grandson, when some repairs were made only for it again to be pushed back in the shed where it remained until today.
The auction will be held at Haynes International Motor Museum, Sparkford, on October 12.
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