Bonhams and Museum of Transportation Join Forces for Inaugural Boston Motoring Auction

BROOKLINE, Mass., April 25 -- Bonhams, the world's third largest auction company, will host its first-ever New England auction at the Museum of Transportation in Brookline on Saturday, May 4 at 2 p.m. The inaugural event will include more than 50 rare and significant collector motor cars and motorcycles, as well as a superb collection of hard-to-find automotive memorabilia.

According to Mark Osborne, of Bonhams USA, ``This event heralds a new partnership between Bonhams and the Museum and will offer important collector motor cars, motorcycles and automobilia from the United States and Europe. This first collaboration will set the stage for what we anticipate will be an annual gathering of collectors, enthusiasts and classic car aficionados.''

The auction will take place on the grounds of the 64-acre Larz Anderson Park, which was the former Anderson estate's gardens and rolling hills, located minutes outside of Boston. Among the notable highlights are:

1932 Bugatti Type 49 Coupe -- After the German invasion of France in 1940, this car was seized by the Gestapo and used as a staff car. The extremely rare example is un-restored and in remarkably original condition and is truly a slice out of world history. (Estimated price: $50,000 - $70,000)

1909 Sears Motor Buggy -- Between 1908 and 1912 if you picked up a copy of Sears, Roebuck and Co.'s catalogue, specified item number 21R333 and sent your check, a few weeks later a large crate containing your Sears Motor Buggy would arrive at the local railway depot. This extremely rare two-cylinder, 10-horsepower car is in superb condition and offered at no reserve. (Estimated price: $5,000 - $10,000)

1956 1.5-litre OSCA TIPO MT4 -- Originally owned by ``Kleenex'' millionaire James Kimberly, this wonderfully useable beauty has an extensive racing history. Not only is it an ex-Carroll Shelby Road America 4-Hours winner, it won the 1500cc sport-racing car class at the prestigious Sebring 12-Hours endurance race in 1958. (Estimated price: $290,000 - $340,000).

Admission to the Bonhams auction is $35, which admits two guests and includes registration for the sale and a catalogue. Interested parties are invited for viewing on Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call Bonhams at 415-391-4000 or the Museum of Transportation at 617-522-6547.