With Classic Car Auctions’ final sale of ‘everyman’ classics this Saturday (12 December), our very own Mike Brewer, the Wheeler Dealer, picks out his top lots from the cars on offer.
It has been quite the year for the auction houses, moving their sales to 100 per cent online due to Covid, but the results have been amazing and, with 128 lots on offer, many for sale with ‘no reserve’, Classic Car Auctions’ final sale of 2020 looks to end the year on a high.
Wheeler Dealers’ Mike Brewer went to view some of the cars ahead of Saturday’s sale and has picked out a few interesting lots that are worth looking at as additions to any collections and potential investments – as well as those that just look like great fun!
Lot 808 – 1961 Jaguar Mk2
With over £20,000 of expenditure since 2016 including a fully reconditioned 3.4 engine by Aldon, this Mk2 is stunning with its Opalescent Gunmetal paintwork and red leather interior. It has been upgraded with a Vicarage power steering unit along with a 5-speed Getrag gearbox and has all new suspension complete with a Fosseway upgraded vented braking kit. New chrome wires, LED lighting, E-Type wood-rim wheel, and original HMV Radio also feature.
Estimate: £30,000 – £35,000 plus premium
Lot 805 – 1956 Miles-bodied Dennis F8 Fire Engine
This authentic Fire engine, reg NFK 705 is the only survivor from the Worcester City and County Fire Brigade. Its Dennis Bros. chassis with Miles of Cheltenham body and fire engineering has slightly unusual slam shut lockers not roller lockers like most F8 Miles-bodied appliances.
It started life at Malvern, then station 12 Worcester City before going to Bewdley, Station 14, and finally Broadway where it remained until it was retired in 1976 when a farmer acquired and dry stored in a barn until recently discovered. Runs and drives but remains a fabulous restoration project for someone looking for an unusual classic.
Estimate: Offered with no Reserve.
Lot 812 – 1968 Triumph TR5
This could well be the best-restored TR5 currently on the market after a painstaking, millimetre-perfect rebuild on a brand new factory-spec chassis. It has been fully rebuilt with new inner and outer sills followed by a very expensive, multi-coat repaint in Signal Red.
The 6-cylinder, 2.5-litre, fuel-injected, 150bhp, ‘CP’ engine was fully rebuilt with an unleaded head and carefully set up. Its also has a brand new Mohair Hood and matching Tonneau, full and rear hood cover, and new chrome wires.
Estimate: £45,000 – £55,000
Lot 828 – 1969 Plymouth 440CI Road Runner
This 1969, B-body, 383ci, 4-speed manual Plymouth Road Runner even has a letter from Chrysler confirming it’s genuine.
The body has been stripped, dipped, restored and refinished to an exacting standard in a really attractive shade of Candy Apple Red Pearl by Kolor Paints. Upgraded to a 500+bhp, ‘big-block’ 440ci (7.2-litre), the original matching engine is also available. Its had countless enhancements improving performance and usability.
The engine bay is fabulously detailed to absolute show quality and since it has been recently completed, its had little use subsequently and remains in outstanding condition with stunning looks and spectacular performance.
Estimate: £30,000 – £36,000
Lot 869 – 1978 Ford MK2 Escort 1.6L
This is rare 1978, 4-door, ’round-headlight’ 1.6L finished in Diamond White that is powered by the lively, 5-bearing, 1598cc ‘crossflow’ with a 4-speed gearbox.
In 1978, to evaluate the potential market for the planned release of the new ‘square headlight’ Escort in 1.6 L spec, Ford released a number of the outgoing ’round-headlight’ cars in 1.6-litre ‘L’ trim spec. Its believed only 150 were made, making it a rare car with probably just a few from this special batch surviving
Built in July 1978 at Saarlouis, it was sold new in September that year by Aperfield Court Garage, Biggin Hill, to a Mr Young of Orpington. First serviced some two years later, it had done 339 miles. It was sold to Susan Smith in June 2003 with a mere 594 miles covered in 15 years. By 2007 it was up to 2,898 miles and by 2009, it had done 4,573. But it has only drive four miles since
Estimate: £16,000 – £20,000
Lot 848 – 1970 Rover 3.5 Coupe P5B
Undoubtedly one of the best in the World, this is a very impressive P5B with 18 years current ownership and 21,070 miles from new. It is a simply remarkable example, superbly finished in Admiralty Blue with a Silver Birch roof and lovely buckskin hide interior.
Supplied new to Head, Wrightson of Teesside and the personal car of the Chairman, Sir John Wrightson, 3rd Baronet of Neasham Hall, it was passed to two further owners before being purchased by its current owner in 2002.
Part of a private collection and kept in dehumidified storage for some years, it has been lightly used on private roads and has been recently fully recommissioned with a fresh MOT just issued with no advisories and valid until 9/11/2021.
Estimate: £20,000 – £25,000
Lot 876 – 1990 BMW 325I ‘M Sport’ 2-Door (E30)
Anyone who has driven a BMW E30 325 will understand why they are so sought after. Finished in gleaming Brilliant Red with the ‘M-Sport’ cosmetic enhancements, this example has an electric sunroof, heated seats, a very smart interior, and dealer-fitted Alpina wheels.
One owner from new, it has 88,000 miles and the MOT is valid until 20/08/2021. Serviced within the BMW network until 2007 and thereafter by the retired workshop foreman from the supplying dealership, it comes with a comprehensive history file including the original Bill of Sale from supplying BMW dealer. You find that owners who meticulously maintain a car’s history will maintain the car the same way!
Estimate: £20,000 – £25,000
The Mike Bell Collection
This 11-piece collection is made up of both road and race cars as well as a transporter and motorbike, all of which were personally owned by the late Mike Bell.
Gary Dunne, Classic Cars Auctions’ Sales Manager said: “Mike was a well-respected preparer and driver of historic cars and he sadly past away earlier this year. Not only was he a top driver, but he gained a reputation as one of the best preparers in the country and we are honoured to offer his personal collection in our next sale.”
Within the collection is the instantly recognisable 1971 Ford Escort RS1600 ‘Lairy Canary’ which is finished in the colours of Norwich football club, ‘The Canaries’. The Aveley-built example has been superbly prepared for racing and is eligible for the Masters Historic Series as well as others. With MSA/HTP papers valid until the end of 2026, it has a strengthened shell and has been fully seam-welded.
Another of Mike’s favourite cars was the delightful 1965 Gilbern 1800 GT ‘Gilbert’ which was raced extensively throughout the UK and Europe. Just 202 GTs were built with the most common being the 1800GT which utilised the MGB three-bearing engine, gearbox and overdrive, front suspension, and rear axle. The full specification of this car is available upon request and viewing is highly recommended to appreciate its true quality.
Whilst the collection is too large to feature each car, the 1959 Morgan Plus 4 to Supersports Specification is another special car. Affectionally named ‘Baby Blue’ by Mike, it had previously raced at many circuits throughout Europe, including Nürburgring, Pau, Silverstone, and Goodwood. Only 103 Supersports were made between 1961 and 1968 and they saw great competition successes in international Motorsport.
You can view the complete lot list here and there is still time to book an appointment to view the cars of interest at Stoneleigh Park (CV8 2LG). Contact Classic Car Auctions on 01926 640888 to reserve your slot up to and including Friday.
Bidding for this sale will take place from the comfort of your own home by phone, online or via commission (pre-bid). You can register here or email bid@classiccarauctions.co.uk. You can live stream and watch the auction on YouTube on the day too.
Find more info:
Classic Car Auctions
