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Microcar Museum Going Under the Hammer

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The Hammond Collection of Microcars in Kent is being sold by Dorset based Charterhouse Auctioneers on Thursday 27^thOctober.

“This fabulous and fascinating collection of microcars has been built up over the past 40 plus years by Edwin and Jean Hammond.” Commented Richard Bromell. “Edwin loved his microcars and was well known for saving them from the scrap yard. Once, he famously bought a burnt out Isetta in exchange for a pile of scrap, which many of his friends remarked nobody could see the difference!”

Edwin and Jean Hammond always had ambitions to own a microcar museum to share their passion with others. They bought an old pig farm in the Kentish village of Hawkenbury. The house was initially renovated and then it was the turn of the buildings to display the microcar collection.

Sadly Edwin became ill and passed away. But Jean was determined to carry on their dream, and in 2003 the collection was moved into a purpose built museum.

In the museum there are some 40 microcars, including the very first microcar Edwin and Jean bought. It was in 1976 their son Andrew was threatening to buy a motorcycle. Ever the concerned parents they presented him with a 1958 Heinkel microcar. Painted green it affectionately became known as Kermit and is included in the auction.

Over the next few years Edwin and Jean bought a Nobel 200, a Scootercar Mk I, an AC Petite Mk II, a Frisky Family 3, a Messerschmitt KR200, a Berkeley SA322, a BMW 600, a Velorex 16/350, a Tourette, an Allard Clipper and many others along with a vast array of spare engines and automobilia.

In many ways though, it is perhaps the unique 1958 Opperman Stirling which is the most fascinating. A sporty looking coupe this microcar is the only survivor of two made. At the time Stirling Moss thought the company was taking advantage of his name and took out legal proceedings to stop them using it!

Overall the collection is expected to sell for a six figure sum with many of the cars, spare parts and automobilia being sold without reserve now Jean has sadly moved in to a care home.

Viewing is at The Hammond Collection Museum, Boarden Lane, Hawkenbury, Kent TN12 0EB on Wednesday 26^th October 9.30am-5.00pm with the auction being held online by Charterhouse at their Sherborne Salerooms in Dorset on Thursday 27^th October at 10.00am

The catalogue will be available to view and download from the auctioneers on www.charterhouse-auction.com

For further information regarding this unique auction of microcars contact Richard Bromell and the team at Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, Dorset on 01935 812277 or via info@charterhouse-auction.com

The unique 1958 Opperman Stirling

Kermit the Heinkel – the first microcar bought by Edwin & Jean in 1976

1960 Messerschmitt KR200

1954 Allard Clipper, 1 of 3 known survivors worldwide

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