Reeman Dansie Auctioneers of Colchester is delighted to announce the auction of the collection of Mr Harry Sunderland, an avid Rolls-Royce enthusiast and restorer who for four decades, has delighted newly weds in Norfolk with his wonderful cars, which he hired out.
29/08/2025
Reeman Dansie Auctioneers of Colchester is delighted to announce the auction of the collection of Mr Harry Sunderland, an avid Rolls-Royce enthusiast and restorer who for four decades, has delighted newly weds in Norfolk with his wonderful cars, which he hired out. Now Harry, aged 78, has decided to retire and disperse the cars to new enthusiastic owners.

The rarest car is a beautiful 1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III with unique Limousine de Ville coachwork by the renowned coach builders Freestone & Webb with opening panel above the chauffeur’s compartment. Harry bought it in 1977 in Wymondham, Norfolk as a complete wreck for £200 having saved it from being scrapped.

It was buried up to its axles in mud and extracted from a farmyard. He then spent the next 20 years lovingly restoring it to a very high standard and subsequently, deservedly won many prizes for his efforts. It was originally built for Mr Vincent Gluckstein, the millionaire chairman of Bovis Construction who lived in London. It is estimated at £40,000-50,000.

Harry’s other two Rolls-Royces are a 1933 20/25 and a 1937 25/30, both of which have very attractive Landaulette coachwork which have folding rear roof sections. The latter car was built in 1937 by the Royal Coach builder Hooper for the Earl of Derby and delivered to Knowsley Hall, Prescot. These two Rolls-Royces are estimated at £25,000-30,000 each.

Harry’s collection also includes a 1949 Chevrolet ‘Rat-Rod’ truck which although rather different from the Rolls-Royces, proved very popular with bride grooms and is estimated at £12,000-15,000.

Hop along to Reeman Dansie to view lot 109, a charming Meissen Rabbit (or hare, the jury is still out..) coming up for sale in our East Anglian, Antiques & Fine Art Sale 8th-9th April 2026, estimate £2000-3000.
30/03/2026
Please see our Easter weekend opening hours below and we hope you all have a wonderful break.
30/04/2026
Harry Becker was born in Colchester in 1865 to German parents Henrietta and Charles. His father Charles, who served as a field surgeon in various campaigns including Crimea, was drafted to Colchester in 1856 and there they settled.
19/03/2026