22 lust-worthy classics for sale this weekend

Temptation awaits

Spring is in the air and, for many, this means it’s time to wake your classic car from its winter slumber and get out and enjoy it.

But what if you don’t own one?

With this in mind, we’ve flicked through the auction catalogue for Historics Auctioneers’ 12 March sale at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire and, without wanting to worry our bank manager, rather a few caught our eye!

So whether you’re window shopping, in the market for a classic or you just enjoy ogling gorgeous cars, here are our picks from this weekend’s Historics auction.

1. 1974 Lotus Elite (no reserve)

You probably know Ronnie Peterson from his Formula One success, being a 10-time Grand Prix winner and twice the runner-up in the F1 drivers’ championship.

But he also owned this car, which is one of the headline lots in this auction. This Lotus Elite, the 207th built, was a gift to Peterson from Lotus and its history file contains photos of him with this car and of the car at the company factory, including when Colin Chapman presented it to Peterson.

Finished in Lotus Yellow with a custom Oatmeal interior that has Lotus badges on the back seats, it has been with its current custodian for around 15 years and, although it has been stored recently, it’s said to be started and driven regularly.

And it is being offered without reserve.

2. 1992 Porsche 928 GTS (est: £47-56,000)

Speaking of famous first owners, this 4400-mile, Midnight Blue metallic Porsche was delivered new to the Brunei royal family.

Indeed, it has spent the majority of its years in this famous collection, which accounts not only for its modest mileage but also its apparently good condition.

It was bought from that collection in 2017 and has been with a single British owner ever since. At that point it underwent extensive mechanical recommissioning and the auction house says it is in ‘time-warp condition’.

3. 2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 L (no reserve)

Want more celebrity cachet? The first owner of this 220-series S-Class was Roger Taylor, the drummer from Queen. In fact, to date he is this car’s only owner.

According to the auction catalogue it has been ‘exceptionally well cared for’ and it drives well, the listing also noting that, ‘judging by the picnic tables to the rear, we can only assume Mr Taylor employed a chauffeur occasionally’.

No matter who was at the wheel, this V12-powered, long-wheelbase limo has been driven a lot, the odometer reading 109,029 miles. It is being sold on 12 March with no reserve.

4. 1962 Fiat 1200 Cabriolet (est: £18-22,000)

We think this Pininfarina-penned classic more than lives up to this feature’s ‘lust-worthy’ title.

It is an American-market Fiat 1200 Cabriolet sold new to Iowa. When imported to the UK in 2007 and was a one-owner, 37,000-mile car – and today the odometer only reads 42,573.

Between 2012 and around 2020 it was living in Ireland where it was regularly exhibited at shows.

According to Historics it is ‘in very good order throughout’ and is ‘largely original’, other than the repaint done when it was in the US.

5. 1935 Talbot AW75 Six-Light Saloon (est: £13-17,000)

It is time for a change of era and pace with our next pick from Historics Auctioneers’ 12 March sale.

This 1935 Talbot wears Darracq coachwork that is said to be in good condition, while its six-cylinder, overhead-cam, 2.3-litre engine still pulls strongly.

Well, this is a car that has been in continuous use throughout its 87-year life, which is probably why the seat cushions needed to be re-covered.

6. 1980 Range Rover Classic Convertible (no reserve)

Surely something so distinctive makes this someone’s dream ticket?

This Range Rover Classic’s transformation to wind-in-your-hair transport is believed to have been carried out by Wood & Pickett and it’s since done close to 94,000 miles, including a road trip that took in the Swiss Alps.

Today, however, it is described as being in ‘barn-find’ condition, having been dry stored for some time. That said, it is understood that the body is sound, the interior needs restoring rather than replacing and it runs, but some work to all areas would bring it back to best.

7. 1967 Ford Cortina rally car (est: £33-43,000)

If you think 2022 needs a dose of historic rallying but you don’t have a car, look no further.

This second-generation, two-door Cortina is in rally-ready condition, finished in evocative Alan Mann Racing colours. It has a valid Motorsport UK logbook, and has been comprehensively and professionally prepared for rallying.

That work included adding underbody protection and a quick-release alloy sump guard, fitting bucket seats, an intercom, five-point harnesses, a full rollcage, Minilites and a plumbed-in extinguisher, and equipping it with those four spotlights.

8. 1990 Citroën CX Safari (est: £13-17,000)

If you liked our last pick, perhaps this is an ideal rally wagon?

Either way, despite its 79,000km (c49,000 miles), this Citroën is described as ‘stunning’, ‘time-warp’ and ‘possibly one of the best CX Safaris on the market’.

It is also left-hand drive, apparently rust-free and is wearing new tyres.

9. 1962 Bentley S3 Continental Drophead by Park Ward (est: £255-280,000)

If classic glamour is what you need, this one-of-27 Bentley might be just the ticket.

Yes, just 27 right-hand-drive examples of this model were made and this was the first. It still wears its original colours of Shell Grey metallic with a red-leather interior and it’s sold with a load of paperwork, including a copy of its original order sheet.

It might have done 99,000 miles, but it seems ready to do the same again, while cosseting its occupants as well as ever. It’s not cheap, though…

10. 1986 Ferrari Mondial (est: £20-25,000)

Not all Ferraris are red, as this Mondial reminds us. Indeed, the auction house says that its grey-metallic paint and cream-leather interior is an unusual combination.

Its sports exhaust means it should certainly sound great and work by its current keeper, who’s only selling it because of a job relocation, should mean it goes very well, too.

11. 1971 Lotus Elan +2 (est: £19-23,000)

Our second Lotus in this list comes from a decade with the same owner, who, we are told, has maintained it with no expense spared. Hopefully good news for any prospective bidders, then.

It has been fettled by specialists and boasts a smart-looking black-trimmed cabin – in short, it just appears ready to be enjoyed.

12. 1965 Austin Mini Cooper (est: £28-32,000)

Who doesn’t love a classic Mini? And with fewer than 12,000 miles on the clock, this early, 998cc-engined example is sure to generate interest.

This Mk1 Cooper has covered under 100 miles since it was the subject of a ground-up restoration, which saw it finished in its original colours of Porcelain Green with a Dove Grey interior – and, prospective bidders might be pleased to hear, the optional heater, as originally specified.

It comes to auction with a wealth of paperwork and as well as these attractive alloys, a set of steel wheels, too.

13. 1978 Alpine A310 (est: £26-32,000)

This Alpine A310 isn’t quite all that it seems. White with a black-leather interior and 78,922km (c49,000 miles) on its odometer, its first owner transformed it into a GT-spec car.

This work included wheelarch extensions, the fitting of Alpine Fleschmann Nogano alloy wheels and tweaks to the engine.

Inside, the two spotwatches and tripmeter hint that this car might have been used competitively at some point.

14. 1996 BMW 840Ci (no reserve)

This 840Ci comes to auction from a collection of BMWs that are all the same colour. It has been there since 2018, always garaged and cared for.

Inside, you will even find the original Nokia mobile phone and cradle that no self-respecting ’90s executive would’ve been seen without.

It’s done more than 150,000 miles and while it is being offered with no reserve, it has an £8-12,000 guide price, just in case you’re interested.

15. 1989 Ford Fiesta XR2 (est: £13-16,000)

This is another higher-mile classic (141,761 in this case), but one packed with ’80s nostalgia.

Of course, Mk2 Fiesta XR2s weren’t always driven gently when new, but this example has benefited from a restoration, which saw its rust cut out and its paintwork refinished, among the many jobs completed.

In fact, Historics says it is in ‘superb condition’.

16. 1998 Aston Martin V8 Coupé (est: £80-110,000)

You’ll need a rather bigger budget if you’re to take this classic home on 12 March, but what a fabulous prospect it is.

From its recently refurbished alloy wheels to its metallic green paint and cream-leather interior with green piping, this Aston Martin just oozes power and luxury, in the best possible way.

A sub-17,000-mile example, it is described as ‘magnificent’ and ‘not to be missed’.

17. 1968 Kougar Sports (est: £37-44,000)

There have been some unusual and quirky cars on this list, but none more so than this. And anyway, what is it?

It started life in April 1968 as a Daimler SP250, but now it is powered by the six-cylinder XK engine and it has a manual gearbox with overdrive. Founder of Kougar Cars, Rick Stevens, apparently wasn’t inspired by any particular model when creating his cars, but the Healey Silverstone and Frazer Nash TT replica were among his favourites, as is probably clear.

Apparently this example drives well and is being sold with a tonneau cover.

18. 1964 Ford Zodiac (no reserve)

This third-generation Ford Zodiac crosses the block on 12 March having done fewer than 100 miles since a £2500-plus engine rebuild.

It’s not just the engine that’s back to best, either, this saloon has been restored outside and in, all of which is extensively documented in the accompanying paperwork.

Since 1964 it has covered only 25,057 miles and now looks like it is ready to be enjoyed.

19. 1964 Fiat 600D Multipla (est: £19-25,000)

We’re sure we’re not the only ones who find these little Fiats hard to resist.

This 767cc-powered 600D spent all its life in Italy until it was imported to the UK four years ago.

It’s been the subject of a bare-metal restoration in its homeland and more recently it has been enjoyed on the Isle of Wight, where we’re sure it turns heads. It has also won prizes at car shows.

20. 1994 Porsche 928 GTS (est: £46-54,000)

If this looks a little familiar, there’s a very good reason why. Just like the second car in this list, this 1994 Porsche 928 GTS was delivered new to the Brunei royal family.

This Schwarz Black, 8200-mile example came to the UK in 2017 and, other than the royal family, as had just one owner.

Since coming over here it has been very well cared for, including recommissioning work that came to £8000 and work to its paint that amounted to more than £6000. Surely that V8 is now more than ready to stretch its legs?

21. 1987 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth (est: £75-85,000)

Homologation specials are always super cool and this fast Ford is no exception.

It is a four-owner, 51,289-mile RS500 Cosworth that has recently had £2500 spent on its mechanicals, which is surely no bad thing given it has been part of a collection for a while.

The correct Recaro seats and tilting sunroof will support and refresh occupants, while the block has been upgraded to the stronger Cosworth 4x4 unit.

It’s just been serviced and got a brand-new MoT certificate, so it’s seemingly good to go.

22. 1972 AC Aceca Cobra Coupé (est: £175-200,000)

All is not what it seems with this final pick. Although you can’t say it is not attractive.

This is a bespoke car, an AC Aceca but with a Ford Boss 5.0-litre V8 – a Cobra in all but name. Plenty here has come from a Mk3 Cobra, after all, a Richmond gearbox chosen to help make that power flexible and usable.

A recent repaint and retrim is why today it appears to be in brilliant condition.

To read this car’s full story, and find out more about all 22 lots here and the others in the Historics Auctioneers sale on 12 March, please click here.