Concept car images up for auction

 

The illustrations, which are owned by an un-named vendor from the Newtown area, are divided into two lots, which are valued at up to £400 each in Halls’ collective auction on Wednesday, 24 August in Shrewsbury. They include the concept car Interstate and an all terrain vehicle.

 

Based in Worthing, Sussex, International Automotive Design (IAD UK Limited) was founded in 1976 by John and Yvonne Shute. The company specialised in automotive design and included Mazda, Ford, Bentley and Audi amongst its clients. At its peak the company employed more than 1,400 staff in six countries and was received the Queen's Award for Export and Industry many times. Mr Shute was also awarded an OBE for his services to the British motor industry.

 

The vendor came by the illustrations whilst carrying out work for IAD as a partner in a design and marketing company. “We worked for IAD for many years before the recession came and unfortunately they had expanded too fast and went to the wall,” he said. “We were left with lots of stuff that we had been given to make up leaflets and were told to dispose of it. I kept a lot of the concept designs because I liked them, but they have stuck in folders in the attic for over 20 years and it’s time for a clearout.”

 

The company designed and developed many cutting edge concept cars, including IAD Interstate. Mayflower Corp purchased IAD after it went into receivership in the early 1990s and the engineering and design groups and facilities were sold to Daewoo Motors in 1993.

 

Many of IAD’s talented designers, engineers and prototype builders now have senior positions within the automotive industry.

 

Also included in the auction and of interest to collectors aviation memorabilia are two gouache illustrations by Roy Huxley of ‘Junkers 188’ and a ‘Tornado taking off’, which are valued at up to £400 each. The Welsh Bridge saleroom will be open for viewing on Monday from 9.30am to 8pm, Tuesday from 9.30am to 4.30pm and on the morning of the auction. For more information about the auction contact William Lacey, Halls’ art specialist, on Tel: 01743 284777.