A KENT collector of ‘microcars’ has sold off 47 of the miniature motors at auction for almost £300,000.
The vehicles were part of a collection accumulated over 50 years by Jean and Edwin Hammond from Hawkenbury, near Staplehurst and formed the Hammond Microcar Museum Collection.
Among them is a blue Peel P50, similar to one driven by Jeremy Clarkson during an episode of Top Gear in 2007 – which sold for £97,240.
The collection also includes the famous Messerschmitt Bubble Car.
Jean and Edwin Hammond began purchasing the novelty vehicles in the 1970s after their son Andrew wanted a motorbike.
Instead, Edwin, who has now passed away, bought his son a Heinkel three-wheeled Bubble Car, which the pair restored.
Andrew said he and his father were ‘hooked’ on microcars from that day onwards.
“It was different. None of my friends had anything like it,” said Andrew, who was 15 when he received the vehicle.
“My dad fell in love with the cars and their quirkiness and how odd some of them were.”
The money raised from the auction will go to Andrew’s mother Jean, who now lives at a care home in Staplehurst.
Richard Bromell, from Dorset-based Charthouse auctioneers, who organised the sale, said: “In the 37 years I’ve been involved in auctioneering, I’ve never ever seen a collection like this.”
Lesley Cook, daughter of Jean and Edwin Hammond, said: “It was a sad sale for the family as we have been in custodian of them for many years. It was sad to see them disappear but people will love and cherish them.”
Ms Cook said she hoped to see them on the road as some were sold to local buyers.
“Due to the current economic and political state, people might not have dug as deep in their pockets but it’s a means to an end. It is great to see they have all found good homes,” she said.
