16th annual Aston Martin Sale sees total transactions top £10m

• 16^th annual Aston Martin Sale sees total transactions top £10m
• Sir Peter Ustinov-owned DB4 Series IV Vantage Convertible nets £1.5m
• More than 50 sports cars and 170 items of automobilia change hands 

In its 60^th anniversary year Aston Martin Works played host to another hugely busy Bonhams Aston Martin Sale on Saturday – with £10.3m worth of rare and prized sports cars changing hands.

The historic home of the great British luxury brand was the venue for the 16th annual Bonhams Aston Martin Sale, which saw around 50 classic Aston Martins sold.

The annual sale is recognised as a globally-significant occasion for Aston Martin collectors and enthusiasts around the world.

The 2015 event was the biggest to date, setting a sales total of £10,280,275 and witnessing a fascinating and diverse collection of Aston Martin-related automobilia go under the hammer in several hours of exciting and highly-charged bidding.

Highlights of the day included the 1962 DB4 Series IV Vantage Convertible – originally the property of Sir Peter Ustinov – which sold for £1,513,500, and top lot of the sale, the 1966 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible in ‘Vantage’ specification, which sold for £1,524,700 including buyer’s premium.

‘Barn find’ and project cars also sold well, with a brace of 1958 Aston Martin DB Mark III Sports Saloons performing particularly strongly – one selling at twice its top estimate and achieving £104,540, with the other changing hands for £115,740.

Paul Spires, Commercial Director at Aston Martin Works, said: “This year’s Aston Martin Sale has been a hugely memorable occasion, with rare and collectable Aston Martin sports cars going to buyers around the world.

“Despite the mixed weather there was a superbly sociable ‘garden party’ atmosphere among the 2,000 or so guests who joined us here today – enjoying the sale and helping us to celebrate our 60 years in superb style.”

Bonhams’ UK Head of Motor Cars Tim Schofield said: “As pioneers of the single-marque sale we’ve returned to Aston Martin Works here in Newport Pagnell for another great auction, exceeding all previous years’ totals.

“The quintessentially British marque of Aston Martin attracts interest from enthusiasts across the world, a fact demonstrated here again this year as we took bids from all corners of the globe. The sale attracted a larger and more cosmopolitan attendance than ever before, achieving an excellent result.”