Classic convertibles shine at CCA's summer sale

Summer loving Cadillac and rainbow Mini Mike lead the pack of over 20 classic convertibles at Classic Car Auctions’ sale on 17th June.

The upcoming Classic Car Auctions sale on June 17 offers a wide selection of over 20 US, UK and Continental classic convertibles to choose from.

Until you have driven a convertible it is hard to believe how it utterly transforms the driving experience. You are part of your surroundings, so unlike being cocooned in more pedestrian hard-top cars. The sights and scents of nature and the countryside lift the experience utterly.

When it comes to classy coverable summer transport this giant sixth-generation, Series 62 Cadillac takes some beating. A bit Thelma & Louise it would transform day or night drives. Touring the UK or long-haul continental trips – any road trip would be given an extra dimension of pleasure in this car.

A piece of classic Americana, its a seriously tempting proposition given the realistic guide price and sheer scale of this impressive American icon. At 5.7 metres long it is half the length of a London bus making it one of the biggest cars on UK roads.

Cadillac’s 1960 range was an elegant reinterpretation of the previous year’s offering, with subtle modifications including lower rear fins, reshaped front bumpers, vertical stacked tail lamps and a fresh grille design. The overall appearance was slightly more restrained than the flamboyantly over-the-top 1959 models, but only just. All 1960 Cadillacs were powered by a 390ci V8 delivering 325bhp and mated to a three-speed Hydra-Matic transmission.

This dramatic 6200 Convertible, with a guide price of £40,000 – £50,000, is finished in Platinum Grey Iridescent with a classic sixties Caddy interior in Bright Red. Naturally, as the top of the range, it features power everything – steering, brakes, roof, windows and two-way seats. It’s supplied with a history file which includes its service records and two workshop manuals.

Superbly detailed and rainbow-hued, this 1993 Austin Mini Moke is one from the final year of Portuguese production. Imported from Macau in August 2016 with 28,021 miles, it was fully restored by a previous owner with a photographic record and is MoT’d until September 2023. Finished in what looks like Zenith Blue (Gulf) with multi-coloured detailing and Silver Minilite-style alloys, it’s estimated at £15,000-£18,000 and is guaranteed to attract attention.

However, if a sleek British convertible is more your thing, there are also MGs, TVRs, and Jaguars to choose from, along with this stunning Austin Healey. Big Healeys remain a sought-after classic and are undoubtedly a source of great pleasure for their fortunate owners, what’s more they may turn out to be a sound investment.

Unveiled in March 1961, the Mk II version with restyled grille and bonnet intake was the last 3000 available as a two-seater, the 2+2 (BT7) option having been for years the more popular. Engine improvements in the form of a revised camshaft and triple SU carburettors liberated an extra 8bhp but these proved difficult to tune. In January 1962, the twin-carburettor Mk IIA appeared, a 2+2-only model boasting long overdue refinements such as wind-up windows, swivelling quarter-lights and a fixed foldaway top.

CCA is offering a 1963 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark IIA (BT7), guided at £50,000 – £60,000. This is a super example finished in Ice Blue over Old English White with a dark blue soft top, navy blue leather, royal blue carpets, a chrome luggage rack and chrome wires. Powered by a 124bhp, 2,912cc, C-Series 6-cylinder mated to a four-speed box with overdrive.

If its continental styling you are after, there’s a BMW 320i Convertible (E30), a 1990 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet, a few Mercedes-Benz and for some unbeatable Italian styling this stunning 1986 Ferrari Mondial 3.2 Cabriolet takes some beating. A UK-supplied, right-hand drive, manual gearbox, 3.2-litre Cabriolet from eight-years current ownership it could transform your summer driving.

The CCA Summer sale takes place on Saturday 17th June, from 11am at the Warwickshire Events Centre, near Leamington Spa. All lots can be viewed in person prior to the Auction on Thursday 15th and Friday 16th June from 10am to 5pm. Lots can also be viewed online where you can register to bid in person, on the phone, online or via a commission bid. Alternatively, for more information contact the Classic Car Auctions team on +44 (0) 1926 640 888 or email enquiries@classiccarauctions.co.uk.

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Classic Car Auctions