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1954 Lester-MG T51

Offered by Mecum | Monterey, California | August 16, 2014

Photo – Mecum

This car has been around the block recently. The auction block. Bonhams sold it in September 2012 for $33,000. It’s a one-off based around an MG. It was built by Harry Lester – a garage owner in Berkshire, England. He built an open roadster that fared well on the racing circuit. So in 1954, he turned to building a few coupes – only two are known to have been completed, and this is the only MG-powered car.

This car was built specially for tall driver Maurice Toulmin – hence the conversion van-esque roof and tall greenhouse. This car was competitive with subsequent owners, racking up wins at hillclimbs and speed trials all over England. The engine is a 1.5-liter straight-four from an MG TC.

It is thought that about 18 Lester cars were built and that only four survive. This one is one-of-a-kind. This one has spent many years in a museum and is offered for sale for the second time in two years. You can read more here and check out more from Mecum in Monterey here.

Update: Not sold, high bid of $30,000.

Bonhams September 15th sale held during the 2012 Goodwood Revival sale had some pretty impressive results. Among them was our feature car and top sale – the incredibly all-original Mercedes-Benz 680 S-Type that sold for $4,544,000. Our featured Invicta S-Type failed to sell. The second highest selling car was our featured Maserati Tipo 26 for $2,727,000. There were two other million dollar cars, including this 1939 Lagonda V12 Le Mans Tourer for $2,091,000.

The other was this 1929 Alfa Romeo 1750 SS Competition Tourer. It sold for $1,783,000.

Other interesting cars included this pretty 1957 Daimler Conquest Drophead Coupe. It brought $81,000.

There were also a number of competition cars, including this “project” 1964 Merlyn Mk 6 – a 1960s sports racer with a little need for some TLC – or, complete overhaul. It sold for $46,600.

And finally, this 1954 Lester-MG T51 Coupe. Only a handful Lesters were built using parts from and/or heavily modifying other cars. This one is MG powered and it was uncompetitive on the track – leading to the demise of Harry Lester’s car building business. It sold for $32,100.

For complete results, click here.