A Herbert Johnson racing helmet in original box, 1950s,

The December Sale Collector's Motor Cars, Motorcycles and Automobilia|7 December 2016, 11:00 GMT|London, Olympia

A Herbert Johnson racing helmet in original box, 1950s,

painted cream with matching peak, size 7¼, worn with canvas webbing and harness with leather chin strap, peak-fitted with Perspex visor, together with a pair of Luxor goggles, (elastic perished), the box worn but complete with lid bearing maker's label.
(Qty)

Footnotes

From the Estate of the late David John Peter Watson, equity card carrying professional driver. "Peter" Watson's first film role as a stuntman was in the 1961 film the Green Helmet. He was a professional driver then but was approached by a film crew who were lacking a stuntman at Silverstone. He duly obliged and had to drive a Le Mans Lister Jaguar for certain shots and then crash it. He was paid £50 a day and then £1000 for the stunt. And so his career as professional film stuntman was born. This helmet was worn during the filming. The archive image (not for sale with the helmet) depicts Watson (standing right) next to the star of the film Bill Travers wearing his own Herbert Johnson helmet.

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Cars specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Specialist section

Toby Wilson

Head of Department

Tel: +44 1483 445 495

[email protected]

Auction Viewings

6 December 2016, 16:00 - 19:30 GMT

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge a Buyer's Premium on the Hammer Price of each Lot purchased and this is subject to VAT. Some lots may also be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price and these lots will be clearly marked with a symbol (†, Ω, *) printed beside the lot number.
For Automobilia the Buyer's Premium is 28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price; 27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,001 up to and including £800,000; 21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,001 up to and including £4,500,000 and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,001.
For Motor Cars and Vehicle Registration Numbers the Buyer's Premium will be 15% on the first £500,000 of the hammer price of each Lot, and 12% on the balance thereafter.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% + VAT of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Buyers Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.

A Herbert Johnson racing helmet in original box, 1950s,