Big bucks for a beaut Bentley

1930 Bentley. Photo / Supplied

The 1930 Bentley 4-litre saloon that was featured in Driven and spent most of its life in New South Wales is leaving Australia after selling for A$462,000 ($592,000) at auction.

The Bentley had been expected to sell for A$100,000 less than that at Shannons' Sydney autumn auction on Monday, but easily passed its reserve.

It was initially pursued by several bidders before its future ownership developed into a telephone slugging duel between two overseas enthusiasts.

The Bentley came from the estate of the late Mosman, Sydney, sewing machine importer and avid Bentley enthusiast Alan Mingaye, who found the car lying partially disassembled under a tree in Turramurra, New South Wales, in 1957.

It had a full body-off-chassis restoration in 1980, but because of Mingaye's ill health it had not been driven regularly since 1988.

Shannons' national auction manager, Christophe Boribon, said the price the Bentley fetched was a great result, but not entirely unexpected considering its good provenance.

Another vehicle featured in Driven, a 1971 Chrysler Valiant VH Charger E38 R/T Coupe, sold for A$75,000.

It was finished in trademark Hot Mustard and was restored three years ago.

Also among the Australian muscle cars up for auction was a 1970 Holden LC Torana GTR XU-1 finished in sought-after Yellow Dolly.

It was pursued by four floor and phone bidders before selling comfortably above its estimate for A$71,000.

Adding to the Torana's appeal was its recent bare-metal restoration after 23 years in storage and its low mileage at an indicated 93,600 miles (150,635km) - only 1500 of them after its restoration.

A 1984 HDT Commodore Group 3 sold for A$38,450, and a 1977 Holden HX Kingswood Deluxe sedan fetched A$10,000.