A Norfolk coach which was built in 1929 and once changed hands for just £25, has been sold at auction for £40,250 – more than double its expected price. The vehicle, complete with its eye-catching Norwich City-style green and yellow colouring, went under the hammer at Bonham's auctioneers at Staplehurst, Kent.
The 14-seater Chevrolet LQ, which cost £405 when new, was built at the General Motors factory at Hendon but its fold-back canvas roof was made by Bush and Twiddy at their Craft Coach works in Norwich.
It was bought new by William Reynolds of Overstrand near Cromer, and spent most of its working life in the county.
The auctioneers said it spent a lot of its time in Norwich.
It was discovered in the early 1960s, covered in dust after it had been stored in a barn, and was acquired by Michael Banfield, a motor enthusiast, for £25. He completely restored it.
The vehicle was entered into a number of rallies and came second against 90 coaches in its debut at the British International Coach Rally in 1964, and also won the Veteran Motorists Challenge Trophy.
Its description from Bonham's read: 'Half a century on, its high standard of finish and comfort is still evident in the oh-so-true-to-period interior of this lovingly restored coach.
'It is in running order and has a certificate confirming that it successfully finished the fiftieth Historical Commercial Vehicle Society London-Brighton Run on May 1, 2011.'
The vehicle was part of a collection of 1,000 items of 'veteran', Edwardian and 'vintage' motor cars and historic commercial vehicles that was put under the hammer following the death of Mr Banfield last year.
'It was predicted to fetch £15,000-£20,000 when it was auctioned last Saturday. Mr Banfield started his collection in 1959 and was a founding member of the Historic Commercial Vehicle Society, becoming chairman in 1965.
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