Fuel/five: 5 things you wouldn’t believe we’ve auctioned

1. Spy van

Back in 2017, a very special 1988 Ford Transit Mark 3, believed to have been used by the UK Secret Service, sold for a potential world record price of £10,300. Prior to sale, the Transit had been converted by a specialist company and fitted with the same equipment likely used when it operated as a covert surveillance vehicle.

2. Postman Pat land train

Believe it or not, an electric-powered Postman Pat land train was sold directly from the Royal Mail through our Colchester auction lanes years ago. The train had previously been used to help ‘deliver’ educational sessions at schools and events.

3. Top Gear football cars

Does anyone remember the carnage of Top Gear’s car football? Well, nine of the very same Suzuki Swift’s used in that classic challenge eventually found their way to Manheim’s auction lanes. We just hope that the new owners were a bit more responsible than Clarkson, Hammond and May…

4. Fairground ride

Roll up, roll up! Who said that everything that we’ve auctioned had to be for driving? Just last year we had a fantastic pink fairground ride for sale. Candy floss and oversized cuddly toy not included.

5. Minting machine

And talking about things that aren’t for driving, how about something that doesn’t even have wheels? Perhaps one of the most bizarre things we’ve ever auctioned was entered by the Met Police: a minting machine previously used to mint forged £1 coins. Thankfully we were assured that it had been rendered unusable before the auction and was eventually sold to a scrap dealer.