0:00:08 > 0:00:12Coventry may be known for the 11th century exploits of Lady Godiva...
0:00:12 > 0:00:16who, according to legend, rode through the city streets naked on horseback.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19But it was a different type of horsepower
0:00:19 > 0:00:22that put Coventry on the map in the 20th century.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26I hope you enjoy the ride - welcome to Flog It!
0:00:49 > 0:00:51From the Triumph to the Jaguar,
0:00:51 > 0:00:54the Alvis to the Rover,
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Coventry raced ahead with motor production at the start of the 20th century
0:00:58 > 0:01:00and by the 1950s, it was a world leader.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06And so, fittingly, we're here at the Coventry Transport Museum.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08We can learn about the origins of vehicles
0:01:08 > 0:01:12from the earliest motorcycle through to the fastest car on the planet.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Of course, all the local classic car enthusiasts have turned up for us today.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Look at that! A big thank you for that lot over there.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Today's show is not just about cars, it's about antiques and collectables
0:01:21 > 0:01:24and we have hundreds of people queueing up here in the rain,
0:01:24 > 0:01:26laden with bags and boxes full of them,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29all here to ask our experts a few questions about their items.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32But they have one question in common, which is...
0:01:32 > 0:01:34ALL: What's it worth?
0:01:34 > 0:01:37And when they've found out, they're going to Flog It!
0:01:41 > 0:01:43We already have a queue of traffic
0:01:43 > 0:01:47wanting to get a valuation from one of our experts,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50which includes today Charlie Ross, a Formula 1 auctioneer,
0:01:50 > 0:01:54classic car enthusiast and always a safe pair of hands.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56I've seen her, I've been close to her, yes.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59I think for the purposes of history, we should A,
0:01:59 > 0:02:04not drop them on the floor and B, sell them.
0:02:04 > 0:02:09And Claire Rawle, who is actually a closet trainspotter.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- I've found a violin, unless you've got a machine gun in there? - No, it isn't!
0:02:12 > 0:02:15- Have you got a Rolls-Royce at home? - Wouldn't want not to.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19- I've had enough of this, shall we go inside?- Yeah.- Come on!
0:02:21 > 0:02:23Shaking off their brollies,
0:02:23 > 0:02:25the Flog It! fans are keen to get inside
0:02:25 > 0:02:29for a day of valuations and vehicles.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32The museum has an enormous collection of British Road transport
0:02:32 > 0:02:37and it doesn't matter how old you are, it's a pretty impressive sight.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40Our workshop today is the Motorsports Gallery
0:02:40 > 0:02:45and the people of Coventry are bringing us antiques aplenty.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49Later on in the show...
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Two striking and unusual decorative items.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55One represents war...
0:02:56 > 0:02:58the other, peace.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02But which one will win the battle at the auction room and make the most money?
0:03:04 > 0:03:09And Flog It! goes Top Gear, as I get to drive my dream classic car.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Well, we're all set up and ready to go
0:03:14 > 0:03:16here inside the Motorsports Gallery.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19Actually, I should say revved up and raring to go.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22I'm surrounded by classic cars and hundreds of people.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Over there, there's a Jaguar 2003 Grand Prix car,
0:03:24 > 0:03:28which can reach speeds of up to 200 miles an hour.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32Charlie Ross certainly has to go at some speed to catch up with that,
0:03:32 > 0:03:33but he just might do it today.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37He's over there now, talking to two ladies who look quite similar.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- Veronica and Madeline?- That's right. - Identical twins.- Yes.- Yes.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45Not quite identical - one of you must be older?
0:03:45 > 0:03:47- I'm 10 minutes older, yes. - 10 minutes older!
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- I'm very proud of the 10 minutes. - May I say, you don't look it.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55- And you obviously get on extremely well?- Oh, we do.- Very, very well.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58- Yes.- Very well. - Now, what have you brought along?
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Well, I know what you've brought along here.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Well, my mother died last month
0:04:03 > 0:04:06and this is something that she was given when she was 21,
0:04:06 > 0:04:08that was in 1939.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12She told us before she died to each choose one or two things we particularly liked
0:04:12 > 0:04:15and this was one of the things that we chose.
0:04:15 > 0:04:16We always thought it was an inkwell,
0:04:16 > 0:04:19that's what my mother thought she'd been given.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22- Do you know how old it is?- No.- All we know she was given it in 1939.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- Do you think it was made in 1939? - No.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- We've no idea, but it looks... - I think it's older.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31It looks more like an antique that was bought.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33Yes, this is high quality. It's bronze.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- It IS bronze? Oh, right. - And it's ormolu coated.
0:04:36 > 0:04:41Ormolu, from the French, which was a crushed gold, if you like,
0:04:41 > 0:04:45- and the original process was made with mercury.- Oh!
0:04:45 > 0:04:49And if you were an ormolu-er, if there is such a word,
0:04:49 > 0:04:53you didn't live very long because of the mercury fumes.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56I think we've got a good clue to the date of this
0:04:56 > 0:04:59by the application of these very stylised
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Art Nouveau mouldings on the outside.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04- Yes.- Yes.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09Now I think that date's this to the late 19th century, so 1880-1890.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- Oh.- That is earlier than we thought.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14You've got classical figureheads here,
0:05:14 > 0:05:17you've got a winged putti on the top there
0:05:17 > 0:05:20- and I'm imagining the top comes off? - Yes.- It does indeed.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24And there was a glass insert, but it got broken when someone cleaned it.
0:05:24 > 0:05:25Right.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29If there was a glass insert, then I think you've made up my mind for me.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31I was torn slightly between it being an inkwell,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34because, by golly, it's a big inkwell!
0:05:34 > 0:05:39Yes! Someone who does a lot of writing, yes!
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Or alternatively, you quite often see something like that
0:05:42 > 0:05:46as an ornament, a pair of ornaments either side of a clock.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48- Now, I think this is French.- Yes.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50This is French, without a shadow of a doubt.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- This, indeed, would have been a very expensive thing in its day.- Right.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56And probably would have been really quite expensive,
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- even in, when was it?- 1939. - 1939, the beginning of the war.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03Before I brought this morning and I opened it, there was a key inside
0:06:03 > 0:06:08- with 21 on it, which she'd obviously kept from her 21st birthday.- Gosh!
0:06:08 > 0:06:11It makes you want to start writing with a fountain pen again, doesn't it?
0:06:11 > 0:06:14- It does, actually. - It's an age of elegance that's gone.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17It is an age of elegance. I'm going to put you both on the spot.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19- What do you think it's worth? - Oh, my heavens.- Each.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23- You're not allowed to...- I might have said 150, at the very most.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27Maybe 150-200, depending if two people want it.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30- Very good valuers, girls. You're very good valuers.- Are we?
0:06:30 > 0:06:33I think you've hit the nail on the head there.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37I think I would like to see it make 150-200.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- My safe saleroom estimate would probably be 100-150.- Yeah.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Under no circumstances would I let this sell for less than £100.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48- Right, fine.- Not even £95.- Right.
0:06:48 > 0:06:49Fixed reserve, £100.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52If it doesn't sell for £100, there's something wrong.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- Right.- Great. - So, £100, and away we go.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- Lovely, thank you very much. - Thank you.- That's very interesting.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04Charlie's confident the inkwell will make at least £100.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Stay tuned to see if His Nibs is right.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09And for Claire Rawle's first valuation,
0:07:09 > 0:07:12and item which is at home in the car world.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16- Good morning, Elizabeth. - Good morning.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20And you have brought a wonderful, wonderful automobilia item along.
0:07:20 > 0:07:21But before we talk about him,
0:07:21 > 0:07:26I couldn't help but noticing a rather wonderful MBE.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30- Thank you. - Now, tell me a bit about that.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33Well, I'm a school crossing patrol for Warwickshire
0:07:33 > 0:07:35and I've done it for 17 years
0:07:35 > 0:07:39and last March, Prince Charles gave it to me.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Oh, well done. That's a real achievement.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45I'm so glad you're wearing it, because you've been rewarded -
0:07:45 > 0:07:48for 17 years you've stood out in all weathers,
0:07:48 > 0:07:52in the teeth of motorists hurtling down a hill towards you.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- I don't stop juggernauts and I don't stop lorries or vans.- Quite sensible.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Right, we better turn our attention to this rather fine fellow here.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02He is a fine fellow, isn't he?
0:08:02 > 0:08:04He's beautiful. And very apt.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08Here we are, Coventry Motor Museum, car mascot.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10He's from a Singer Bantam,
0:08:10 > 0:08:11beautifully modelled,
0:08:11 > 0:08:14he's chrome, over possibly a nickel base,
0:08:14 > 0:08:16a base metal, anyway,
0:08:16 > 0:08:20and then mounted on this rather nice wooden stand,
0:08:20 > 0:08:22so he's making a very decorative ornament, isn't he?
0:08:22 > 0:08:25- He sure is.- Yeah.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28And he will date from the late 1930s.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32- Wow.- You can tell he's earlier because of the work on him,
0:08:32 > 0:08:35the wonderful detail in his feathers and his wings.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Later castings lose quite a lot of that
0:08:37 > 0:08:40because they have been replicated over the years,
0:08:40 > 0:08:44but he is a genuine early one and I gather there's quite a story to him.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47Well, my mum is 92
0:08:47 > 0:08:55and she was a secretary to one of the directors at Rootes and Singer
0:08:55 > 0:08:59and sometimes, she used to drive the vehicles from Coventry to Birmingham
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- or Birmingham to Coventry. - Oh really?- Yeah.
0:09:02 > 0:09:03That's where it's come from.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07From this period, a lot of cars had mascots on their bonnets,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10which denoted their make. Of course, the best-known
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- is probably the Spirit of Ecstasy on a Rolls-Royce.- Yeah.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16It was all part of the finish to the motor car.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19Now, he's very collectable
0:09:19 > 0:09:22and I think he will appeal to not just automobilia collectors
0:09:22 > 0:09:25but to anyone who likes a decorative ornament.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28I would estimate him between 100 and 150.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31- Wow.- That's all right.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34- Gosh!- And I think, perhaps, pitch the reserve
0:09:34 > 0:09:37just below the lower estimate.
0:09:37 > 0:09:38I'd say about £90.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42- Is that all right with you? - That's fine!- That's good, is it?
0:09:42 > 0:09:44- Yeah. You've amazed me! - Good. Oh, good.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- Thank you.- That's quite all right. - Thank you very much.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Our valuation day is packed to the gills
0:09:51 > 0:09:54with people waiting to see an expert - and here's one now.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58Charlie Ross has spotted a 200-year-old mahogany box
0:09:58 > 0:10:01in perfect condition. But what's inside it?
0:10:01 > 0:10:05You know, I saw you coming through the door over there with this
0:10:05 > 0:10:09and I almost ran towards it because it's my sort of thing.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12But every time I see one of these, you open it up
0:10:12 > 0:10:16and there's nothing inside because the contents have been broken
0:10:16 > 0:10:17but...
0:10:17 > 0:10:20Look at that!
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Do know when this was made?
0:10:22 > 0:10:23About 1820...
0:10:23 > 0:10:25I think it was made a bit earlier.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- Yeah?- I think this is of the Sheraton period.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31I think we can go back to 1800 for this box.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36This in about 1800 would have been bought by a very well-to-do family.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- Yes.- This wouldn't have been any old Tom, Dick and Harry owning this.- No.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43It would have held six different sorts of drink, really.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46And of course, a lock - very important in those days,
0:10:46 > 0:10:50not that you'd have people coming into the house, but the servants.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- Servants.- The old servant could just turn the key, have a quick nip.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56It's a real Upstairs Downstairs.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Fantastic lot. It's made of mahogany.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- Yes.- Fine quality mahogany.
0:11:01 > 0:11:06It is strung here with boxwood...
0:11:07 > 0:11:09..and beautifully strung.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11I'm going to pull one of these out
0:11:11 > 0:11:14and examine it carefully,
0:11:14 > 0:11:16because here is the key.
0:11:16 > 0:11:17What is the damage?
0:11:18 > 0:11:23The gilt decoration, for that still to be intact
0:11:23 > 0:11:25after 200-plus years
0:11:25 > 0:11:27is quite remarkable.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30Beautiful blown decanters,
0:11:30 > 0:11:32blown-glass decanters.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- Have you pulled all of them out? - Yes, I've inspected all of them.
0:11:36 > 0:11:37- No damage?- No damage at all.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40So have you inherited this?
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- No, I bought it a few weeks ago. - You bought it?
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- Yes.- Crumbs, you must have gone into a jolly nice shop to buy that.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49- No. Charity shop.- A charity shop? - Charity shop, yes.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51Go on, tell me what you paid for it.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53£15.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- Fif-TEEN pounds?- Pounds.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- Well, I'll give you 20 quid for it.- No.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01THEY LAUGH
0:12:01 > 0:12:06I think a come-and-get-me saleroom estimate
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- is probably 200-300.- Yes.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Which is a super return on your £15.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15- Yes, I'm happy with that. - We'll put a fixed reserve at 200,
0:12:15 > 0:12:17so we will not sell it for a penny less.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- I think we'll be up at the top estimate there.- Right.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22- And £15 well spent.- Yes.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25While our experts are hard at work,
0:12:25 > 0:12:29I went for a stroll around this fascinating museum.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33These camper vans with these pretty...colours on the coachwork
0:12:33 > 0:12:34always put a smile on your face.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Gosh, I'd absolutely love one of these.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44It's a 1966 VW camper van.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47It's a 21-window Samba model
0:12:47 > 0:12:49and it's been beautifully restored.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51It's in tip-top condition.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55If you want one of these, it's going to set you back £30,000.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57It's exceptionally rare but you could imagine
0:12:57 > 0:13:01driving down to Newquay Beach in Cornwall in one of these,
0:13:01 > 0:13:05surfboards in the back, listening to the Beach boys on the radio.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07That's travelling in style.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09And talking about travelling in style, it's time for us
0:13:09 > 0:13:12to travel over to the auction room for the first time today
0:13:12 > 0:13:16and put those valuations to the test to find out what it's worth.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20This French inkwell has a crushed gold coating
0:13:20 > 0:13:23and Charlie is convinced it is worth at least £100,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26but anything can happen at an auction.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28Our lovely lollipop lady is hoping
0:13:28 > 0:13:31her car mascot has got a new bonnet to sit on.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36And from a charity shop to an auction house.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40This beautiful box and decanter is sure to be a winner.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48Just 20 miles down the A46,
0:13:48 > 0:13:50our auction today is in Stratford-upon-Avon.
0:13:50 > 0:13:55The market town attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year
0:13:55 > 0:13:57to see the birthplace of Shakespeare
0:13:57 > 0:14:00and perhaps take a boat ride down the River Avon.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06And this is where we're putting all our items under the hammer today,
0:14:06 > 0:14:10so let's make our way across town to Bigwood auctioneers.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18Before the auction begins, I managed to catch up
0:14:18 > 0:14:21with auctioneer Christopher Ironmonger
0:14:21 > 0:14:23to find more about what goes on behind the scenes.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Now, this is his office.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Hello, everyone. Good to be back.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33There's Jenny, front of house, at reception.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36There is Celia, on the phone there, Christopher's wife,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39and here is Christopher. Good to see you again, Christopher.
0:14:39 > 0:14:40Thank you, Paul.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43This has got to be the most untidy desk I've ever come across
0:14:43 > 0:14:45- in an auction room.- Is it?
0:14:45 > 0:14:49- Yeah!- That's very kind of you(!) Thank you.- How do you find anything?
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- I know where everything is.- You do, that's the trouble, don't you?
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- If anybody tidies me up, I can't find anything.- You're lost, yeah.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57- How are things, anyway? - Doing well, keeping busy.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- Much interest on our items? - Yes, quite a few of them.- Good.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02- We've got one or two... - Phone lines booked?
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- Phone lines and bids, yeah. - Commission bids left?
0:15:05 > 0:15:07Yes, it's looking good at the moment.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10This sale, we've got 160 different vendors with those 725 lots.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14You've got a sliding scale of commission here, haven't you?
0:15:14 > 0:15:16Yeah, lots up to £1,000 in value,
0:15:16 > 0:15:18that's individual auction lots, it's 15%.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22Between 1,000 and 2,000, it's 12.5%
0:15:22 > 0:15:26and over 2,000 for an individual lot, it's down to 10%.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28I guess you're here taking it easy,
0:15:28 > 0:15:30chilling out before the big day tomorrow.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Well, the day has arrived. It's auction time,
0:15:33 > 0:15:36so there's no more chatting for Christopher.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39He's in the driving seat on the rostrum.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Right, that bronze inkwell, the Victorian one
0:15:41 > 0:15:44in the style of a Regency design belonging to the twins.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46- That's right.- Veronica and Madeline.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- Veronica. Madeline. - I see, I got them mixed up.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Identical twins, you see! It's easy to do, isn't it?
0:15:51 > 0:15:54- Do you live close by each other still?- Round the corner.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56So you've never really been apart, have you?
0:15:56 > 0:15:59No, we went to university together. We've done everything together.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01- I think that so special, don't you? - It's wonderful.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03- We get on well. - Quite rare, identical twins.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05- We married friends.- Did you as well?
0:16:05 > 0:16:09- Yes, my husband introduced Madeline to her husband.- Yes.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- So this was Mum's, wasn't it? - Yes, it was.- It was Mum's.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- She died in February.- I'm sorry to hear that. It's a nice thing.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Well, let's find out what the bidders think, shall we?
0:16:17 > 0:16:19- It's got that Regency look. - Oh, it's there!
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Very attractively decorated, this,
0:16:24 > 0:16:26and who's got, say, £100 for it?
0:16:26 > 0:16:29- It's a good thing, isn't it? - It's a nice thing.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- Good weight, good shape, lovely style.- Yes.- Good casting.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Got to tempt you somehow. 60, then?
0:16:35 > 0:16:3960 I'm bid. 60, the bid's there at 60 and five, do I hear?
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- At 60, and five.- Struggling.- And 70.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Not going to make it, is it?
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Am I going to let the twins down?
0:16:48 > 0:16:49We've got a fixed reserve at £100.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53£75, is it 80, and five?
0:16:53 > 0:16:56£80, are we finished?
0:16:56 > 0:16:59We're all done at £80. Are we sure?
0:16:59 > 0:17:01- Do you know something?- Oh, well.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04A fixed reserve of £100. It's worth every penny of that.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- I'm so pleased it didn't sell at £100.- Yes.- I don't mind.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09We've had such fun, to be honest.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- Hang onto it.- Yes. - Mum wants you to hang onto that.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Perhaps that's what's meant to be.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Everyone has agreed the inkwell should sell for at least £100 -
0:17:17 > 0:17:20perhaps just not today, though.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Next up, MBE Elizabeth.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- You drive a car, obviously. - Of course.- Now, how do you fancy
0:17:27 > 0:17:30on your car a 19...what is it, 36 Singer car mascot?
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- Have you thought about that?- No!
0:17:33 > 0:17:37- Bit ostentatious.- I don't think it would go very well with my Punto!
0:17:37 > 0:17:41Hey, fingers crossed, here we go, we're going under the hammer now.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45- Let's find out if there's any car enthusiasts here.- Please! Please!
0:17:47 > 0:17:49Lot 355 in your catalogue.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52It's in the form of a bantam cast with outstretched wings.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55It's got the registration number on it
0:17:55 > 0:17:58and who's going to give me, I don't know, £80 to get me going?
0:17:58 > 0:18:0170 I'm bid, £80, £80, £90,
0:18:01 > 0:18:02- 100 is it?- Come on.
0:18:02 > 0:18:0590 at the front of the room, I'm going to sell it at 90,
0:18:05 > 0:18:07the bid's here at £90.
0:18:07 > 0:18:08Is it 100 now?
0:18:08 > 0:18:11- Please, please!- At £90, I'll take five if it helps you.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13At £90, are we done?
0:18:13 > 0:18:15- £90, it's gone!- Yes!
0:18:16 > 0:18:19It looked really pretty up there on that picture.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21It did, didn't it?
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- He did us proud. - He did, didn't he? Aw, bless Mum.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28There are hundreds of car mascot collectors in the country
0:18:28 > 0:18:30so they often sell well at auction.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32A great result for Elizabeth.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35We've got a cracking lot going under the hammer right now,
0:18:35 > 0:18:37possibly my favourite of the day
0:18:37 > 0:18:40and Charlie, our expert, beat me to it, the devil!
0:18:40 > 0:18:42You were straight in there, weren't you?
0:18:42 > 0:18:44It's that gorgeous mahogany decanter box
0:18:44 > 0:18:47and Andrew, I've got to say, quality, quality, quality,
0:18:47 > 0:18:50and what a good find as well. Why do you want to sell this?
0:18:50 > 0:18:53- I bought it to sell. - You bought it to sell.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56- It would be nice to keep it.- Be nice to keep it?- For the three kids.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58- OK, and you brought one of them along with you today?- Yes.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00- What's her name?- Susan. - Susan, hello!
0:19:00 > 0:19:02Charlie, we had one like this sold recently,
0:19:02 > 0:19:042007 on the show for around £400.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07This is just as good, so hopefully it's up there with that.
0:19:07 > 0:19:08It's rare to have all the bottles
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- and all the stoppers.- Yes, and the gilding's really good.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13Stoppers don't rattle as well.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17Glasses are wrong, but we can excuse that. Very, very good quality.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20We're putting it to the test now here in this packed salesroom.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Good luck, both of you. This is it.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Who'll give me a couple of hundred for it, decanter box?
0:19:25 > 0:19:27150, 150 I'm bid.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29160, 170, sir,
0:19:29 > 0:19:31180, 190, 200,
0:19:31 > 0:19:33210? 200 by the table,
0:19:33 > 0:19:36at 200, 210, 220, 230,
0:19:36 > 0:19:38230, 240, 250, 260,
0:19:38 > 0:19:41270, 280, 290?
0:19:41 > 0:19:44280, still by the table, at £280.
0:19:44 > 0:19:45290 on the phone,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- 290, 300.- Good, phone's cut in out.
0:19:48 > 0:19:49320?
0:19:49 > 0:19:53- 320. 340, 360.- The interest has gone out of the room.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55- It's now on the phone lines.- 380?
0:19:55 > 0:19:58360 on that telephone, at 360, are you sure you're finished?
0:19:58 > 0:20:00380's come back. 380, 400.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06400, 420? 400 it is, on that phone at £400.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08Are we all finished? Are we sure?
0:20:08 > 0:20:11We've matched it. £400. There you go.
0:20:11 > 0:20:12What was I saying?
0:20:12 > 0:20:15You can never predict what's going to happen in an auction.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- That's a massive great big profit on £15.- Yes, fantastic.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Yeah, good for you. Pleasure to meet you.
0:20:21 > 0:20:26I've said it before and I'll say it again - quality always sells.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28- ..at £1,200. - Well, there you are, that concludes
0:20:28 > 0:20:33our first visit to the auction room today and what a nice lot to end on.
0:20:33 > 0:20:38The Motor Museum celebrates Coventry's illustrious car heritage.
0:20:38 > 0:20:39So while I was up here,
0:20:39 > 0:20:44I took a drive through that history in my favourite car of all time.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48Take a look at this. It's absolutely marvellous!
0:20:52 > 0:20:55MUSIC: "Sunny Afternoon" by The Kinks
0:20:59 > 0:21:04The TD 21 - built from 1958 to 1963
0:21:04 > 0:21:08in Coventry, with 120 horsepower
0:21:08 > 0:21:12and 2993 cc engine capacity.
0:21:12 > 0:21:17This is just one of thousands of cars that put the city on the road map of motoring.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22From Daimler to Hillman and Rover to Triumph
0:21:22 > 0:21:25and also from the very first £100 car
0:21:25 > 0:21:31and this beautifully handcrafted Alvis TD 21 Drophead coupe -
0:21:31 > 0:21:33Coventry built them all.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36So what remains of the city's wonderful legacy?
0:21:36 > 0:21:38Well, I'm putting pedal to the metal to find out.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44The first wheels to turn in Coventry manufacturing
0:21:44 > 0:21:47were not that of the car but of a smaller transport vehicle -
0:21:47 > 0:21:50the bicycle. Bicycle production took over
0:21:50 > 0:21:53from the dwindling industries of cotton and silk.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56The skilled labour and the machinery of the old businesses
0:21:56 > 0:21:58were used to create a new one
0:21:58 > 0:22:00and a highly successful one at that.
0:22:00 > 0:22:06By 1871, 70% of the country's bicycles were built in the Midlands.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10The bicycle industry was booming
0:22:10 > 0:22:13and Coventry was known as the cycle capital of the world
0:22:13 > 0:22:15but it was the beginning of the century
0:22:15 > 0:22:19and industry wasn't standing still, it was moving forward at full pelt.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22This was the time of invention and experimentation.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26Germany had successfully produced the first motor car
0:22:26 > 0:22:29and ripples of its success were coming across the Channel
0:22:29 > 0:22:31and Coventry was ideally situated.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33It had the workforce, it had the machinery
0:22:33 > 0:22:35and it had the skill to produce motorcars,
0:22:35 > 0:22:39so where others feared to tread, Coventry hit the road.
0:22:39 > 0:22:44MUSIC: "Lust For Life" by Iggy Pop
0:22:45 > 0:22:49Some engineers were sceptical of the future of the motor trade
0:22:49 > 0:22:52but when the first Coventry Daimler emerged
0:22:52 > 0:22:57from the Motor Mills factory in 1886, Britain's motoring industry was born,
0:22:57 > 0:23:02and what an industry it was, producing some of the first cars of the day,
0:23:02 > 0:23:05driven by king, but at the cost of ten times that of a house,
0:23:05 > 0:23:07not yet by country.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09The early cars were made by master craftsmen,
0:23:09 > 0:23:13unique in their skills, pushing boundaries of design.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15One such company made my favourite car
0:23:15 > 0:23:19and you may be surprised to know they are still making them today.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24This car's incredible, it really is.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27I love the fact that it's got a sprung steering wheel.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29It's got power steering now, of course.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32The seats have been padded out, a little more comfort there,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35armrests where there weren't any in the first place,
0:23:35 > 0:23:37but I tell you what, the freedom of the road in this.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41I'd like to sell all my antiques to buy this, I really would!
0:23:41 > 0:23:45I couldn't afford this one but one like it, get it restored over time,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47and it would become a great investment.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49You can't lose money with practical classics like this.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53Drives like a dream.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55And on that bombshell, I'm going to put my foot down,
0:23:55 > 0:23:57as Jeremy Clarkson would say.
0:24:05 > 0:24:10'And to tell me more about these beautiful vehicles,
0:24:10 > 0:24:11'owner of Alvis Alan Stote.'
0:24:14 > 0:24:18How long would it have taken to make a car like this?
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Well, a few thousand hours because everything was handmade.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Alvis had to make patterns to make the castings,
0:24:24 > 0:24:25they had to design everything.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29They had to hand-fettle everything. Everything was put together by hand.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33- Yeah, I can see...- The whole thing was crafted.- I see an ash-work frame.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35Ash frame, that's the skeleton of the body skin
0:24:35 > 0:24:39and all of that would have been made by the coachbuilders. We have records
0:24:39 > 0:24:42showing that you could have exactly what you wanted on the car.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44It was absolutely handbuilt and handcrafted
0:24:44 > 0:24:47- and tailored to a discerning customer.- That was my next question.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50I was going to say, who was Alvis selling at the time?
0:24:50 > 0:24:53There were a few celebrities. Douglas Bader had three cars,
0:24:53 > 0:24:57Benjamin Britten had one, the Duke of Edinburgh bought one personally
0:24:57 > 0:24:59and still owns it to this day.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02What made you fall in love with the Alvis car?
0:25:02 > 0:25:05I think it's the individuality of each car. They were made to order,
0:25:05 > 0:25:07customers could have exactly what they wanted on the car.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10The car records we have, 22,000 of them,
0:25:10 > 0:25:14show what each car was, and I think that there are no two the same.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17They really do play an incredible part of British motoring history.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20Oh, without a doubt. For a relatively small company,
0:25:20 > 0:25:23they only produced 22,000 cars between 1920 and 1967.
0:25:23 > 0:25:24- That's not a lot, is it?- Not a lot,
0:25:24 > 0:25:27but there's nearly a quarter of those cars still in existence.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32Alvis cars were made by highly skilled craftsmen
0:25:32 > 0:25:36but as the middle classes took to motoring, demand grew
0:25:36 > 0:25:38and mass scale production was the only option.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44Production lines started to replace the craft-based skilled workforce
0:25:44 > 0:25:46and Coventry's motoring industry
0:25:46 > 0:25:49sped into a new age of mass production.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54Throughout the '40s, '50s and '60s,
0:25:54 > 0:25:58Coventry's factories provided 23% of the UK output.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01People came from all over the world to work here
0:26:01 > 0:26:04and the city benefited with a thriving economy.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12And like most booms, a bust was soon to follow.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14Companies like Alvis and Triumph
0:26:14 > 0:26:17were taken over by giants British Leyland
0:26:17 > 0:26:21and the 1970s saw relationships between trade unions and management
0:26:21 > 0:26:24breaking down, with many strikes, and production lines came to a halt.
0:26:24 > 0:26:29Add that to the pressure of cheaper cars being imported from abroad
0:26:29 > 0:26:33and you can see why time was running out for the British car industry.
0:26:37 > 0:26:38From the 1970s onwards,
0:26:38 > 0:26:40the term "British car manufacturing"
0:26:40 > 0:26:43became a complicated combination of words.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45Rolls-Royce was sold to BMW,
0:26:45 > 0:26:49Mini was made by British Leyland
0:26:49 > 0:26:53and when Jaguar and Land Rover were sold to Tata in 2008,
0:26:53 > 0:26:58it seemed mass production of British cars had bitten the dust.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01But what remains of the halcyon days of car manufacturing
0:27:01 > 0:27:03should not be resigned to the scrapheap.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06I mean, you could buy a new sports car...
0:27:06 > 0:27:07- Mm-hm.- ..or a mass-produced car today.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10You could take it out the showroom, three years later,
0:27:10 > 0:27:13it's depreciated by, let's say, 50% of its value and, hopefully,
0:27:13 > 0:27:16in three or four years these will go up a great deal.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20- Well, as an example, that TD21 Drophead over there.- The black one.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24The black one. That sold in 1994 for £22,500.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28In 2007, we sold it for 40,000
0:27:28 > 0:27:33and it's now for sale five years later at 80,000.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36It's doubled its money. Wow.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39The car I took out on the road earlier, the TD21 Drophead,
0:27:39 > 0:27:43that is my favourite car, do you know that?
0:27:43 > 0:27:47So, I'm ever so pleased I had the honour and privilege of driving one.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55The British car is far from dead.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Classic cars are still being collected and restored today,
0:27:58 > 0:28:01more so than ever. And, of course, they only go up in value -
0:28:01 > 0:28:04they represent the perfect investment.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06And British cars are still being made,
0:28:06 > 0:28:08albeit in a much smaller quantity.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11Morgan, the only true full British sports car,
0:28:11 > 0:28:15is still making around 600 vehicles a year.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17You can buy classic names still like Aston Martin and Triumph
0:28:17 > 0:28:21or you can order yourself a bespoke Alvis original,
0:28:21 > 0:28:25like this one, made from the 1938 blueprint.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32The British motor car was born in Coventry,
0:28:32 > 0:28:36it grew up in Coventry, and it lives on in Coventry.
0:28:45 > 0:28:50Back at the valuation day, hundreds of people are still queueing to be seen by our experts.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53And while they wait we have a real treat for them
0:28:53 > 0:28:57because Coventry isn't just about cars, it pretty musical too.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02# I want to live a life that's real
0:29:02 > 0:29:06# I want to serve you, Lord for real
0:29:06 > 0:29:09# You deserve all this and more
0:29:09 > 0:29:11# You deserve this and more
0:29:11 > 0:29:12# So I give you more
0:29:12 > 0:29:14# Every little bit that I have... #
0:29:14 > 0:29:16This is fabulous.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18# More...
0:29:18 > 0:29:19# So I give you more
0:29:19 > 0:29:21# Every little thing you can grab
0:29:21 > 0:29:25# More, more
0:29:25 > 0:29:27# I'm going to give my best to you... #
0:29:27 > 0:29:31Yeah, how about that? It's absolutely fabulous.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35Well, that's lunchtime at a Flog It! valuation day.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38Now, a rather fearsome-looking chap made of ox bone.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42Well, hello, June and Phil, it's lovely to see you and thank you
0:29:42 > 0:29:47for coming along today and bringing this magnificent fellow with you.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50So, tell me, why have you brought him to us?
0:29:50 > 0:29:54He came out of the garage of a relative who passed away
0:29:54 > 0:29:56this time last year.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59- Basically, we don't like him very much.- Oh, poor fellow.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01So, you don't want to sit and look at him any longer?
0:30:01 > 0:30:05- No, and I don't want to see him looking at me.- Oh, right, right.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08I must admit, I can't say I've ever seen one quite like this before.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12- Of course, what it's depicting is your samurai warrior.- Yes.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14On his charger, his horse.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17Of course, they were ponies really, not like the sort of chargers we had here.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20All the bone is worked in panels - as you can see, obviously,
0:30:20 > 0:30:23there's lines between it - over a base
0:30:23 > 0:30:26which could be anything from wood.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28- He is quite heavy, I guess.- Yeah.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31And then these pieces are all engraved
0:30:31 > 0:30:32and then inked over to give them...
0:30:32 > 0:30:35So, they're sort of carved and inked to give it the colour
0:30:35 > 0:30:38and depth and, of course, it's outlining his wonderful armour
0:30:38 > 0:30:42because being a samurai, he is a warrior, he is the top, top soldier
0:30:42 > 0:30:46and they were absolute experts in the martial arts.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50I don't know if you've noticed down here but there is actually a mark.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53- Yes.- A signature. Well, it could be a signature.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55I have noticed it but I couldn't decipher it.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58Well, that makes two of us.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00But the thing is, it's nice to have a mark on it.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03Now, the other item, which I have to say I prefer,
0:31:03 > 0:31:06is a brush pot holder and earlier.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09Whereas this is 20th century,
0:31:09 > 0:31:11- this will date from the late 19th century.- OK.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15And it's elephants tusk. You do have to be careful selling it.
0:31:15 > 0:31:21As long as it is pre-1947 and worked ivory, then it's OK, legally, to sell it.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24- This is all right. It complies.- Yes.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27Ivory is hard. It's difficult to work.
0:31:27 > 0:31:28So, all that piercing work,
0:31:28 > 0:31:32all this lattice work here is really quite difficult to do.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34And then it's worked
0:31:34 > 0:31:38with wonderful, scaly, sinewy dragons, Japanese dragons,
0:31:38 > 0:31:41which always look slightly more fearsome than the Chinese dragons.
0:31:41 > 0:31:46Rather cross faces and great tendrils that come out of their noses.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48So, you're not going to be too sorry to see them go?
0:31:48 > 0:31:51- No. I don't want to take them home. - You don't. Right, OK.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54Now, because they are such different types of items,
0:31:54 > 0:31:57I would suggest that they were sold as separate lots...
0:31:57 > 0:32:01- OK. That would be fine. - ..with separate prices cos I think whoever buys the brush pot
0:32:01 > 0:32:04is not necessarily going to buy the samurai and vice versa.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07Now, with him, he's a bit of an unknown quantity.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10- I think we're looking at 3-400. - Yeah.- OK.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14I would suggest putting a reserve of just under 300 at 280.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17The brush pot, I think, about 100 to 150.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20And again, if we perhaps pitch the reserve at just under
0:32:20 > 0:32:23the lower estimate at £90 and again perhaps use a bit of discretion.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27- Yes, fine.- So, hopefully they will do very well.- Somebody will like it.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30Absolutely. Oh, yeah, there is somebody for everything.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32- Don't need to worry. - Thank you very much.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35Thank you for bringing them. We look forward to selling them.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39From a symbol of war to one of peace, and of local importance.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Well, this brings back lots of memories for me -
0:32:42 > 0:32:45filming in Coventry Cathedral about six years ago.
0:32:45 > 0:32:46I'm a big fan of John Piper.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50I know it's not Piper but it's John Hutton and he's very collectable as well.
0:32:50 > 0:32:55I went first of all to the cathedral 50 years ago when it opened,
0:32:55 > 0:33:00and it meant such a lot to me and changed my life so much that
0:33:00 > 0:33:02when they offered these for sale,
0:33:02 > 0:33:05I was happy to buy one to support the...
0:33:05 > 0:33:07- Can I take a look? - ..work of the cathedral.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10This is one of the angels from the west screen, isn't it?
0:33:10 > 0:33:14I mean, when you go in there and your eyes just gravitate to heaven.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17You look upwards and there it is. It's huge.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20It's glass there so that in your mind's eye you link
0:33:20 > 0:33:22- the new and the old. - Of course you do.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25Because it is one building and you join them in your head.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28That's the clever thing about John Hutton.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31He was born in New Zealand in 1907.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34He sadly passed away in the late '70s. But he is collectable.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36His work is sought after.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39I love the way this has been actually cut into the glass.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41Literally drawn into the glass.
0:33:41 > 0:33:47Yes. Well, he cut it with carborundum wheels of various grades.
0:33:47 > 0:33:48No room for error.
0:33:48 > 0:33:52It has allowed it to be crosshatched almost like a rough sketch
0:33:52 > 0:33:55and that's what's captured this, it's given it so much movement
0:33:55 > 0:33:57and it is very emotive.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59I've noticed here it says eight of 25 -
0:33:59 > 0:34:03so it's a limited edition of 25.
0:34:03 > 0:34:04How much did you pay for this?
0:34:04 > 0:34:07I can't quite remember. It was 40 years ago.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11It might have been 250 to 350, something like that.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13I think, for £250, this is worth every penny of that.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17I'd like to think it has gone up in value a great deal.
0:34:17 > 0:34:18I really would.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20That's lovely.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23I'm going to be cautious to start with,
0:34:23 > 0:34:28and I'm going to put £2-400 on that, if that's all right with you.
0:34:28 > 0:34:33- That's fine.- Is that OK?- I'm quite happy for the market to find a level.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35Yeah.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38So, let's see what the market does on the day.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40I've always thought Charlie was a child at heart
0:34:40 > 0:34:43and this just proves it.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46Well, this is just the object I was hoping to see today.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49- Right.- Coming here to the motor museum in Coventry.
0:34:49 > 0:34:50What's the story behind it?
0:34:50 > 0:34:53- It's Ed and Trish, isn't is? Is it yours. Trish?- No, it's not mine.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56No, it's mine.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00- I was given it by two uncles as a birthday present...- Yeah?
0:35:00 > 0:35:01..before the war.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05- Before the war?- About 1939. - Interesting.
0:35:05 > 0:35:10I was trying to work out whether it was just pre-war or just post-war. That answers the question.
0:35:10 > 0:35:16- You'd've been quite a lucky chappie to have this in 1939, wouldn't you?- Sure.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18I mean, it's much better than the average toy
0:35:18 > 0:35:21that was given to somebody. Were they particularly...
0:35:21 > 0:35:24- It was an uncle, was it, that gave it to you?- Two uncles.- Two uncles.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28They probably had to combine their cash to buy this, it's so special.
0:35:28 > 0:35:33- It's part tin plate, isn't it? - Yeah.- And part... What is that?
0:35:33 > 0:35:36- Well, I think it's celluloid. - Celluloid. I think you're right.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39It's a plastic derivative of some sort, isn't it?
0:35:39 > 0:35:43What particularly I find wonderful about this is that
0:35:43 > 0:35:45I don't think you've used this at all, have you?
0:35:45 > 0:35:47I wasn't allowed to much.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51- But because you've kept it like that, of course it's got value attached to it.- That's good, yes.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54And the box is in superb condition.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56- British made, which I like.- Yes.
0:35:56 > 0:36:02And this is Tri-ang, which later bought out Hornby and Meccano.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06One huge, great conglomerate. And I'm dying to see if it works.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09It is a bit like starting a lawnmower, isn't it?
0:36:09 > 0:36:14- It is, isn't it?- Tell you what, you hold it and I'll pull it.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16Marvellous!
0:36:16 > 0:36:20Absolutely magnificent. Silky smooth riding.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24It's like speedway, isn't it? Brilliant.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26- So, you're happy to sell it?- Yes. - What do you think it is worth?
0:36:26 > 0:36:30- I haven't a clue. That's why I brought it down here.- Take a fiver?
0:36:30 > 0:36:34- Oh, no.- A bit more than that. - I think it is worth £50-100.- Really?
0:36:34 > 0:36:36Yeah, yeah.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38I would like to see it go to the sort of top end of that,
0:36:38 > 0:36:41to be honest. But I think if we put it into auction,
0:36:41 > 0:36:44it'll be well advertised, toy collectors will love it.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48A reserve of £50 so that we don't take any less.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51- Are you happy with that?- Yes.- What are we going to do with it, Trish?
0:36:51 > 0:36:54- I think we'll go to London and see a show.- See a show.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58You'd probably much rather see a show than have this sitting in a cupboard, wouldn't you?
0:36:58 > 0:37:01- Yes.- Thank you very much indeed for bringing it along.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03- It's a pleasure. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05That bike wouldn't be out of place in Model World.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08This room is full of toys from a bygone era.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11These mini cars are not the only Minis in the museum.
0:37:13 > 0:37:14Do you recognise this?
0:37:14 > 0:37:17Well, it's a reconstruction of the tunnels
0:37:17 > 0:37:22that Michael Caine drove the Mini Cooper through in the film The Italian Job.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24Now, it turns out it wasn't filmed,
0:37:24 > 0:37:27that sequence, in Italy at all, but right here in Coventry
0:37:27 > 0:37:31in the newly constructed sewer system back in 1968.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33So, that's it. It's time to say goodbye to Coventry
0:37:33 > 0:37:37as we drive over to the auction room in Stratford-upon-Avon
0:37:37 > 0:37:40and here's a quick reminder of what we're taking with us.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45He is a master of martial arts but will he win the fight at auction?
0:37:47 > 0:37:50And how much can a little brush pot bring in?
0:37:52 > 0:37:55A John Hutton angel, etched with incredible precision.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00And a toy bike in this condition
0:38:00 > 0:38:03could ride away with the top end of the estimate.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11Back to the auction room now, but whose lot will steal the show today?
0:38:11 > 0:38:14First, manufactured in the 1930s,
0:38:14 > 0:38:17the Tri-ang Gyro Cycle belonging to Ed and Trish.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20- We had fun working it, didn't we?- I bet. Do you know what I say?
0:38:20 > 0:38:23- "On your bike, Charlie, on your bike."- Even when it went backwards.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26Right, let's find out what the bidders think, shall we?
0:38:26 > 0:38:28It's going under the hammer. This is it, look.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31And I can open the bidding at £50.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35Straight off at 50 and five do I hear? At 50 and five.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39And 60. And five? 60 with me on the book at 60. Is it five now?
0:38:39 > 0:38:42At £60. It's going to be sold at £60.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44Last chance and done. £60.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48And he's put the hammer down, straight in and straight out. £60.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52Yeah. Well, well, well. One bid on the book.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54And that's it. Not a lot of competition but it went.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57Have you got anything like that from the age of three?
0:38:57 > 0:39:00No. All my old Dinky toys, I played with, smashed into each other.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02- All the paint's off. - Threw the boxes.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05- Great thing about this, it was in its original box.- Yeah.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09Like me, I haven't got anything...
0:39:09 > 0:39:10Nor has he now.
0:39:18 > 0:39:19Well, so far, so good.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22It's my turn to be the expert now and coming up for you,
0:39:22 > 0:39:25we have that angel in flight. It's the engraving by John Hutton.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27It belongs to Martin and, hopefully,
0:39:27 > 0:39:30- a lot of local interest as we said back at the valuation.- Yes.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33And a limited edition like this, what is it, eight of 25?
0:39:33 > 0:39:37- It is pretty rare.- Yes.- So, fingers crossed. Good luck, Martin.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39Here we go.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44295 is the John Hutton etching on glass.
0:39:44 > 0:39:49I've been looking forward to this moment cos this is lovely, isn't it?
0:39:49 > 0:39:52Framed. I can open the bidding straight off with this at £200.
0:39:52 > 0:39:57On the book at 200. Is it 220 now? 220, 240, 260, 280, 300, sir.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01320, 340, 360. 380?
0:40:01 > 0:40:03Come on, let's get that top end.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07380, 400. 420? 400 with me and a commission bid at 400. 420?
0:40:07 > 0:40:10- 420, 440. 460? - There's a phone bid. Look up there.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14460. I'm going to go 500. 520?
0:40:14 > 0:40:16INAUDIBLE
0:40:16 > 0:40:18- I'm clear. With you at 520. - That's more like it.- Yes.
0:40:18 > 0:40:19..on that telephone at 520.
0:40:19 > 0:40:24Do I hear 540 now? At £520 on the telephone. Last chance.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26It's going to be sold.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29Brilliant. The hammer's gone down. Worth every penny as well.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33- You won't miss it cos you can still see...- The original.- ..the original.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39That would look marvellous on someone's windowsill.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41And finally...
0:40:41 > 0:40:44The first lot going under the hammer will be the ivory brush pot
0:40:44 > 0:40:49followed by the samurai figure. Unfortunately we don't have June.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52- Where is she?- June's in the Canary Islands, in the sun.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55But you're supposed to be with her, aren't you? Or did you flip a coin?
0:40:55 > 0:40:57No, I'm decorating the lounge.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00- That's a good deal from June's point of view.- I like this.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02- This is a good thing. - Yes, it's a nice thing, isn't it?
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Beautifully decorative.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06And the little brush holders, these brush pots
0:41:06 > 0:41:09are very, very collectable - the Japanese ones and the Chinese ones.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11- It's a healthy market at the moment, it's boiling.- Good.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14Let's find out what they think of it in Stratford-upon-Avon, shall we?
0:41:14 > 0:41:16Here we go. Good luck.
0:41:16 > 0:41:21I've got multiple bids on this and I'm going to start it at £160.
0:41:21 > 0:41:26On the book at 160. Is it 170 now? Got a phone bid, I know. 170 here.
0:41:26 > 0:41:31Going to go 180. 190. That clears me 190. 200?
0:41:31 > 0:41:35200, 220. 240?
0:41:35 > 0:41:38240, 260. 280...?
0:41:39 > 0:41:44260 down here. At 260. By the door at 260. Are we all finished?
0:41:44 > 0:41:45Finished at 260.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48- Amazing.- That's good.- Excellent. - Brilliant. I'm really pleased.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51- Get on the phone and tell her. - I will indeed.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54And here's the second lot, the figure.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57So, who's going to start me off with a couple of hundred for it?
0:41:57 > 0:41:58One down, one to go. This is it.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01Very handsome figure. 200, 220 over there.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03240, sir? 240. 260, 280.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06300, is it? 280.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08It's going to be sold at 280. Do you want three? 300.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12- Phone line, look, up there now. - 320, 340.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15340, 360. 380?
0:42:15 > 0:42:17380, 400. 420?
0:42:21 > 0:42:25420, 440. 440. 460?
0:42:25 > 0:42:29- They like it.- 480. 500.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34500, 520, 540.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36A lot of interest in the room.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39560, 580.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45No? 560 in the room, it is. At 560.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48560 - in the room, Philip.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51Is there any further advance on 560?
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Well, I think we'll call that a success, don't you?
0:42:54 > 0:42:55- I'm very pleased.- Well done, Claire.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57- Yeah, well done.- Very, very pleased.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00- Thank you.- You've got to get on the phone and tell her now.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03I will indeed now. Yes. Thank you. Thank you very, very much.
0:43:03 > 0:43:07- And don't spend it all on paint. - I won't.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11What a result! A total of £820.
0:43:11 > 0:43:15Not bad for a box in the garage.
0:43:15 > 0:43:19Well, there you are - another day in another sale room for Flog It!
0:43:19 > 0:43:20I hope you've enjoyed the show.
0:43:20 > 0:43:23I know all of our owners have gone home happy.
0:43:23 > 0:43:27Some got what they want, some didn't. But that's auctions for you.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30If you've never been to a sale room before, get down to your local one.
0:43:30 > 0:43:35It's great fun. Or, better still, come to one of our valuation days and a Flog It! auction.
0:43:35 > 0:43:38Log on to bbc.co.uk/flogit,
0:43:38 > 0:43:41follow the links or check the details in your local press.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44But until then, from Stratford-upon-Avon, it's goodbye.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd