A fantastic selection of automobiles from the collection of photographic retailer and enthusiast Robert White is set to be sold for more than £2m, with all of the proceeds benefiting new cancer diagnostic facilities.
The close friend of fellow collector Jay Leno lost his battle with the disease in 2015, and wished for his legacy to help those facing a similar situation in his local area. “We spent time together in England before he died,” said Leno. “He didn’t feel sorry for himself or ‘woe-is-me’. He realistically faced up to his position and decided he wanted to give something back to the people in Poole Hospital who had helped him with his illness.”
The pair shared a love of motorcycles, namely Brough Superiors, two examples of which were sold to Leno before he died. The proceeds of that sale have already been used to support the creation of a brand-new cancer treatment centre at Dorset County Hospital.
A 1930 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Le Mans-style Tourer is set to be the star of the sale. The car is one of just 670 built between 1927 and 1931 and shares the same style coachwork as that of the 1928 Le Mans winner. It is expected to fetch between £450,000 and £550,000.
A 1959 AC Ace-Bristol Roadster will follow hot on the Bentley’s heels with an estimate of £180,000-220,000, while an earlier Ace from 1958 is thought to be worth as much as £140,000. The final four-wheeled lot is a Pur Sang Type 51, which is expected to fetch £90-110,000.
White’s motorcycle collection is also impressive, boasting a £140,000 1929 Megola, a brace of MV Agustas valued at £190,000, a 1974 Ducati 750SS and a 1951 Vincent Series C Black Shadow.
The auction also includes White’s prized George Daniels 35th Anniversary wristwatch, which could fetch a staggering £100,000.
