Horsepower is the order of the day

FROM classic cars to Victorian toys, horsepower was the order of the day at Moore Allen & Innocent’s general and antique sale in Cirencester on Friday, August 15.

At 55 brake horse power – less than half its contemporary equivalent – a beautifully-restored 1960 Vauxhall Victor F2 was turning many heads: at least enough to attract a winning bid of £980, just shy of the £1,000 estimate.

Snapped up by a Cirencester antiques dealer the car will, no doubt, become a familiar sight in the Black Jack Street area of town. In eggshell blue with American-style tailfins and lots of chrome, it will be hard to miss.

Horsepower of a different kind came in the form of a late Victorian pine rocking horse.  In need of some restoration – one leg required an aluminium brace, whilst the ears and tail in particular required attention ­– this nonetheless charmingly painted toy achieved £580.

From horsepower to wind power, seafaring scenes by Malmesbury artist Michael J. Potter buoyed prices in the art section of the sale. A signed oil on canvas entitled Royal Sovereign engages Santa Ana, recalling the first encounter of the Battle of Trafalgar, achieving £220, while a pair of limited edition prints from Potter’s Trafalgar series selling for £150.

Meanwhile, an Art Deco walnut cocktail cabinet – with bow fronted double doors enclosing a mirrored interior – attracted a winning bid of £300, almost double the £150 to £200 estimate. No doubt the vendor raised a glass to auctioneers for the sum achieved.

The next sale at Moore Allen & Innocent is the sporting sale, on Friday, August 29 from 9.30am.

Seafaring scene by Malmesbury artist Michael J. Potter
1960 Vauxhall Victor	Victorian pine rocking horse