Hemmings reports that the US Congress recently designated today, Friday, July 9, 2010 as Collector Car Appreciation Day. A list of events are to be found here on the SEMA, Specialty Equipment Market Association, website.

Come on Canada – let’s support our southern neighbours and celebrate by driving our (British) Collector Cars today.

I tripped over this story during a Google search … the original story has a typo and a story of another unusual non-car find, but the second link to the auctioneer’s catalogue is more interesting. It’s amazing how beautiful cars languish for years until discovered like hidden treasure.

Stourbridge clearance turns up a classic

The item was found under a pile of bin bags and boxes in a garage. And what was it? A Jensen 451, no less, a classic car from 1956. Only 500 of them were made, so it’s quite a find. The cars were built in West Bromwich and the Jensen 451 became something of an icon in British car engineering. The car had all-round disc brakes and the body panels used glass fibre and polyester resin.
The Stourbridge car had not been driven for around 40 years. It’s to go under the hammer at a Stourbridge auction house – Fieldings Auctioneers, Mill Race Lane – next Saturday, 8th May.
In perfect condition, it’s estimated that it would go for about £30,000 at auction.

Fieldings Auctioneers : Lot 781

A 1956 Jensen 541 Series saloon motor car, 3993cc, registered on the 8th October 1956, registration number OEA 920.78802 miles recorded. With damages and not running – sold as seen. ILLUSTRATED The chassis used in the 541 series was a first for Jensen and the use of glass fibre and polyester resin for the body panels and all-round disc brakes was a production first for a motor manufacturer – source – the Jensen Owners Club website. This car has been stood in storage for some time and, according to a hand-written and dated notebook kept by the previous owner, would appear to have completed just 912 miles since his last book entry of 25th May 1970.
Est: £3000 – 5000

UPDATE: May 11, 2010
Sold for £4000 hammer.

JamesList.com purports to be the world’s smartest luxury marketplace. P & A Wood, the Official Rolls-Royce and Bentley Heritage Dealers appear to agree, as an entry on JameSpotting, the official blog for JamesList, announced that the Wood brothers have just listed 29 rare Rolls-Royces and Bentleys with them. The total asking price for all 29 vehicles is many millions in any currency. Heady stuff!

In addition to the Spring (April 21 – April 25) and Fall (Sep 29 – Oct 3) Carlisle Collector Car Swap Meets, the organizers at Carlisle are promoting The Carlisle Import & Kit Nationals (May 21 – May 23), which will feature German vehicles this year. Expect enough Classic Brits to be on hand to keep things interesting!

Full deatils at: www.carlisleevents.com/ce/events

Press Release after the break…

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22 of Bentley’s designers have created works of art inspired by their work to be auctioned off to benefit cancer research at Manchester’s The Christie Hospital. The invitation-only charity auction, held by Bonhams, takes place December 1.

Shown above is the Timothy Potts sculpture, Birkin 137, which really grabs me. Falling back on my “I don’t know anything about art, but I know what I like” stance, an additional half dozen of my favourites are shown after the break, in no particular order.

Updated April 8, 2010:
The pieces raised £70,000. See them in larger size, plus more, at the Bentley website.

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