The Binalong Motor Museum Auction
The Binalong Motor Museum was founded in 1990 by two friends, Dr. Stuart Saunders and John Fitzpatrick, a retired surgeon and solicitor with a shared passion for vintage motor cars. They acquired a paddock and spent a year building a shed to house their collections, and at the same time, formed Binalong Early Motoring Club, which exists to this day.
Several years later John moved to Melbourne, and Stuart took over as Curator. The museum and restoration workshop went on to attract visitors from all over Australia and overseas, becoming a ‘destination’ for car clubs and motoring enthusiasts alike. Stuart says that it has been a joy to meet so many people with similar interests from all over the world, and tells of one couple from the U.S. who ‘shipped their motorcycle to Australia and embarked on a road trip from Cairns to Binalong, turning up unannounced late one afternoon.’ He opened the museum especially for them.
Stuart says that his passion for vintage cars began when he was a child growing up in the U.K., when his father would bring home old motor cars which he would never keep for long, but which sparked an interest. When Stuart left home to go to university in London, he paid £5 for an old Austin 7, and he says that it was from then on, that he was hooked. He went on to race Bugattis at all the premier circuits and hill climbs in the U.K. such as Prescott, Shelsley Walsh and Silverstone in his 1927 type 35 Grand Prix Bugatti.
After 30 years of great enjoyment and patronage, the museum will close its doors to the public to allow Dr. Saunders time to pursue other interests. This includes allowing time to work on, and use his personal extraordinary chain driven 27-litre 1908 MAB Special, fitted with 1918 Packard-Liberty V12 aero engine. This car was originally found in a paddock near Wagga Wagga by Stuart some 20 years ago.
Although the closure is an emotional decision, Dr. Saunders is excited that the museum cars, motorcycles and memorabilia will find new like-minded owners who derive as much enjoyment out them as he did while in his custodianship as museum curator.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
AUCTION
The Binalong Motor Museum Auction will be broadcast live online from 10.30am (AEST) on Sunday 26 July 2020.
The decision to hold the auction behind closed doors has been taken to ensure the safety of all clients and staff and this means, unfortunately, that members of the public cannot attend the auction in person.
The auction will however be streamed live on our website in real time and you can bid from the comfort of your own home via our Donington ‘Live’ internet bidding platform by registering to bid here.
VIEWING
Viewing has been reduced to Friday 24th and Saturday 25th July and is strictly by appointment only.
We thank you for your understanding and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Please contact Donington Auctions - mail@doningtonauctions.com.au - to reserve a time to view the auction.
Viewing Times Slots are available as follows:
Friday 24th July, 10am-5pm
Saturday 25th July, 10am-5pm
AUCTION
10:30am Sunday 26th July, 2020
BIDDING
We request all interested bidders pre-register for the auction so that we are able to communicate any urgent updates prior to the auction. Registrations are open now - here
If you have already registered, we are currently processing and approving bidders. Donington Auctions may be in contact to request photo identification.
For Internet or Absentee bids please register online by clicking here
For phone bidding (limited availability) please download the form from our how to buy page here
COLLECTIONS
Local, in person collections will be available from Monday the 27th of July to Wednesday 29th July 10am to 4pm.
For interstate bidders freight carriers are still delivering around Australia and we can help facilitate packing and postage. Please ask us for a list of our suggested suppliers who have been engaged to help with post sale transport.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call us on (03) 9882 1433 or e-mail mail@doningtonauctions.com.au
