Gordon Bennett! ￡11,520 paid for a toy racing car

A toy racing car from the dawn of motor sport, named after the man who gave rise to the cry “Gordon Bennett!”, fetched a record ￡11,520 — four times more than expected — at auction yesterday.

The clockwork racer, with crouching driver and passenger figures, was made by the pioneer German toymaker Gunthermann around the turn of the 20th century.

The tinplate toy was christened the “Gordon Bennett coupé” after the media mogul, who established the world's first premier car competition in 1900 and was renowned for his exploits in racing cars, aircraft and boats.

The slightly rusting, foot-long toy, with spoked wheels and rubber tyres, was bought by a private collector at Bonhams in Knightsbridge.