A rare Sunbeam car built in Wolverhampton which was found abandoned in an orange orchard in Australia is expected to fetch up to £35,000 at auction – almost 80 times its original value.

The Sunbeam 12/16hp four-seater tourer was constructed in Wolverhampton in 1913 and would have cost around £450. It is believed there are around 30 surviving worldwide.

According to auctioneers at Bonhams, which is handling the sale, the car was found in 1967 abandoned in an orange orchard at Niagra Park, near Gosford, New South Wales, then in the ownership of a Mr Curtis. It was restored over the next three years.

Upon completion in 1970, the Sunbeam was taken back to show Curtis who, although too ill to drive it, was taken for a drive. The restoration of the car had included rebuilding of the rear part of the body and the coachwork is now smartly painted in red livery with black wings and wheels, the original deep-buttoned leather upholstery to the front being carefully retained.

The car has now been put up for sale by Yorkshire-based brothers, Toby and Daniel Ward, who own one of Europe’s foremost collections of early vehicles. It is still roadworthy and can do in the region of 45mph to 50mph.

Stewart Skilbeck, motoring expert at Bonhams, said: “It was a really good strong car in its day. They were very popular in Australia and where very good for long driving. It’s quality of engineering has meant it has a high survival rate.”

Driving equipment includes a two-piece double-folding windscreen, Stadium rear-view mirror, electric Klaxon and toolbox mounted on the off-side running board.

The Sunbeam, registration number AL 1280, will be auctioned by Bonhams on July 18. In its heyday Sunbeam was one of the city’s biggest employers. By the late 1890s Sunbeam had made a name for itself selling high quality cycles at Sunbeamland in Paul Street. Work began on a prototype car in 1899.