30 eye-catching cars for sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show this month

Spoilt for choice

Iconic Auctioneers is the new name for Silverstone Auctions. The sign above the door may have changed, but the buzz around the company’s next sale remains the same.

Its season finale is at the NEC Birmingham during the Classic Motor Show on 10-12 November 2023, with cars going under the hammer on the second of those three days.

There’s something for all tastes and most budgets, ranging from pre-WW1 machines right up to contemporary classic cars. 

Choosing from such a varied and interesting catalogue is never easy, but choose we must. So, in age order, here’s our pick of 30 eye-catching lots at this month’s NEC auction.

1. 1931 Bentley 4 Litre Sports Saloon (est: £140-180,000)

Some cars aren’t fully appreciated in their time.

The 4 Litre Bentley Sports Saloon is a case in point, with a modest engine capacity compared with other offerings from the marque at the time.

Now this beautiful sporting four-door is rightly acknowledged as one of the finest pre-war Bentleys, with this example fresh from restoration by specialists Arthur Archer.

2. 1944 Willys Jeep (est: £18-22,000)

Few actors play themselves, but this wartime Willys Jeep is offered for sale fresh from a career in showbiz.

This low-mileage example has appeared in Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers and Pennyworth.

The guide price seems modest for this celluloid star.

3. 1945 Lanchester LE27 Allweather Tourer by Vanden Plas (est: £40-50,000)

A rare car indeed, this Lanchester LE27 Allweather is one of two such cars ordered by His Highness Maharajah Ranjitsinhji, the Jam Sahib of Nawanagar.

Records show this beautiful Vanden Plas-bodied machine returned to the UK in 1988.

It has since been repainted in Cambridge Blue (the colour the Maharajah favoured having studied at Cambridge University) and would make an elegant addition to any collection.

4. 1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1 'Fuelie' Convertible (est: £90-110,000)

Two-tone paint? Check. V8 engine? Check. Convertible? Check.

This 1957 Chevrolet Corvette has everything you might want from an American sports car of this era, with the bonus of a hardtop for when the weather is more Coventry than California.

This example has covered just 10 miles since a comprehensive overhaul.

5. 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300D Adenauer (est: £30-38,000)

The ‘Adenauer’ moniker for the 300 saloon stems from German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer’s liking for this rapid and luxurious Mercedes-Benz.

The ‘D’ model featured a longer wheelbase for rear legroom to rival a contemporary Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud.

The surprisingly (relatively) affordable estimate suggests these swift and stylish machines could be undervalued.

6. 1960 Buick LeSabre Convertible (est: £45-55,000)

Few cars in the NEC Classic Motor Show sale can match the commanding presence of this 1960 Buick LeSabre.

A prize-winning example, it looks stunning in Titian Red after a frame-up restoration in 2011.

With lashings of chrome, a V8, and a vivid red and white interior, the Buick is as American as apple pie.

7. 1961 Daimler SP250 (est: £55-65,000)

Back in the ’50s, London’s Metropolitan Police had a problem.

Bikers were racing on the streets of the British capital, and the constabulary’s Wolseley saloons couldn’t keep up.

Some 26 V8-powered Daimler SP250s – also known as ‘Darts’ – joined the Met to even up the odds, and 550 CLU is one of the survivors from those days.

8. 1963 Citroën DS19 (est: £37-42,000)

This gorgeous Citroën DS was subject to a €60,000 restoration just over a decade ago.

It has covered few miles since. Indeed, Iconic Auctioneers views this example as one of the best in the UK right now, so head to the NEC Birmingham if you’d like to decide for yourself.

9. 1967 Ford Mustang (est: £22-28,000)

Four generations of the same family enjoyed this Ford Mustang before it made its way to the UK.

It comes with many invoices, both from its early years and more recent work. And, with the exception of the Daisy Mag wheels, the specification is largely original.

10. 1968 Morris Mini Cooper (est: £24-28,000)

Few cars come with three folders full of photographic history, and there can’t be many that have won as many show prizes as this classic Mini Cooper.

This 1968 car has covered fewer than 150 miles since purchase by the current owner and remains, we are told, in remarkable condition.

It looks ready for more shows, or to drive and enjoy.

11. 1969 Lotus Elan 2+2 Convertible (est: £12-15,000)

The four-seat Lotus Elan is somewhat overshadowed by the two-seat version.

The wider market’s preference for the less practical Elan is the canny buyer’s gain, because the £12-15,000 pre-sale estimate for this car in Iconic Auctioneers’ NEC Classic Motor Show sale on 10-12 November seems decent value for such a beautiful and sweet-handling sports car.

For yet more intrigue, XWW 50G started life as a coupé before being converted to a drop-top using a Christopher Nolan kit.

12. 1970 Alfa Romeo 1750 Giulia Sprint 'GTA' Tribute (est: £55-65,000)

This handsome 1970 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint has been sympathetically uprated.

Changes include a lightweight shell by Bob Wright of Alfa Panels, a 2-litre engine and a five-speed gearbox.

A limited-slip differential and uprated brakes add to the driving appeal of this GTA lookalike.

13. 1970 Porsche 911T Targa (est: £60-70,000)

This left-hand-drive 911T was originally delivered to California before being imported to the UK in 2015.

It has been well cared for by Porsche specialists ever since, and unusually comes fitted with a ski rack. Just the thing for a brisk drive down to Innsbruck this winter.

14. 1971 Jensen Interceptor II (est: £40-50,000)

A British car brand fusing American power with Italian design created one of the finest GT cars of the ’60s and ’70s.

This Jensen Interceptor II was restored over several years by marque specialists, Kestrel Classic Cars near Birmingham, in the UK.

More recent upgrades include electronic ignition and a rolling-road carb set-up to get the best from that burbling Chrysler V8.

15. 1972 Datsun 240Z (est: £35-40,000)

The first and arguably the finest of Datsun’s ‘Z’ cars, the 240Z helped establish the Japanese motor industry’s sports-car credentials.

JPK 4K has been extensively rallied across Europe by the current owner, and Iconic Auctioneers reports that it has proven to be reliable in competition.

To our way of thinking, it is equally appealing as a rally entrant as it is a fast road car.

16. 1972 De Tomaso Pantera Group 4 homage (est: £125-150,000)

A lot of work (and, it must be said, money) has gone into this De Tomaso Pantera.

With the intention of creating a dual-purpose road and competition car, the vendor has extensively modified the Pantera as a homage to Group 4 racers of the ’70s.

It would surely cost much more than the estimated sale price to take another De Tomaso and rebuild it to this standard and specification.

17. 1972 MGB Roadster (est: £12-15,000)

In among the rare and exotic lots are some honest-looking and more affordable classic cars, like this MGB Roadster.

Finished in British Racing Green, this 1972 example has been enjoyed by just six keepers over its five decades.

With cream leather seats donated from an MGF, this Roadster appears to wear its years lightly.

18. 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL (est: £75-85,000)

BMW’s lightweight CSL must be the ultimate E9.

This example stands out in vivid Taiga Green, and is one of only 500 UK-supplied, right-hand-drive examples. The car comes with a detailed history file and service record.

19. 1979 Ford Escort RS 2000 Custom (est: £40-50,000)

In the world of fast Fords, there are few letters more special than ‘RS’.

This 1979 Escort RS 2000 has recently had a new head gasket, water pump and thermostat, as well as a full service.

The Signal Amber paint really suits the car, and it looks ready to be enjoyed.

20. 1982 De Lorean DMC-12 (est: £70-80,000)

With a mere 1008 miles on the clock, this De Lorean will take you back in time to 1982 (or 1985 if you’re a Back to the Future fan).

Originally registered in Ohio, the car returned to the UK in 2016. The car has a NOVA certificate, so registering it should be straightforward, meaning the next owner can start the odometer moving again.

21. 1984 Audi quattro 10v (est: £20-25,000)

We could have chosen the more expensive 20v Audi quattro that is also for sale in the same Iconic Auctioneers event at the NEC Classic Motor Show, but this earlier 10v deserves to go to a good home, too.

It has been stored in the corner of a barn for nearly 40 years. Recommissioning this Zermatt Silver car would be a rewarding way to spend the winter months, and you ought to budget for this before placing a bid.

22. 1986 Mercedes-Benz 500SL (est: £20-30,000)

This R107 SL has done 65,200 miles and is being offered with no reserve.

It comes with the reassurance of a detailed service history, while the hardtop it’s being sold with makes this classic Mercedes-Benz more usable in all weathers.

The R107 is surely one of the most subtle and elegant cars from a decade that favoured more conspicuous consumption.

23. 1987 Ford Sierra RS 500 Cosworth (est: £100-140,000)

Most Ford Sierra RS 500 Cosworths have been through many hands by now, so it’s rare to find a car that’s been with the same owner for 34 years.

The fact that the odometer shows just 12,530 miles makes D64 XVX even more special.

Originally a press-office car, a copy of What Car?’s review from September 1987 is included in the sale – and you can read more about it here.

24. 1992 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II Cabriolet (est: £12-15,000)

Soft-top examples of the second-generation Mazda RX-7 don’t come up for sale too often.

This one has just been recommissioned and certainly catches the eye in Blaze Red.

Think of it as a quicker, more unusual alternative to a first-generation Mazda MX-5.

25. 1994 Renault Clio Williams (est: £30-35,000)

It’s always reassuring when a hot hatch like the Renault Clio Williams comes with a folder full of MoT certificates and a comprehensive service history.

L531 BRU was one of the last Phase One Williams and has had just two owners from new. The low mileage of 48,770 suggests this has been a high days and holidays car for most of its life.

26. 1995 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione II (est: £68-78,000)

Is the Evo II the most desirable Lancia Delta Integrale?

A case can easily be made, thanks to its 2-litre 16v turbo engine, plus a specification including 16in alloys and Recaro seats.

This car was originally sold to Japan before being imported to the UK in 2016, since when it is said to have been garaged and carefully maintained.

27. 2001 Mitsubishi Evo VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition (est: £95-105,000)

Were you a Colin McRae or Richard Burns fan? Or did the brilliant Tommi Mäkinen earn your allegiance?

If so, this genuine UK-market Tommi Mäkinen Edition – car #029 – will have you digging out that Ralliart jacket from the back of the wardrobe.

It has covered fewer than 28,000 miles and has been enjoyed by the same owner for 20 years.

28. 2004 MG XPower SV-R (est: £55-65,000)

As a flagship sports car to spearhead MG’s post-BMW future, the MG XPower SV-R shone brightly but briefly, before MG entered administration in 2005.

BX54 AUL has a manual gearbox (original buyers had the choice of manual or auto) and has covered just 10,000 miles. This is a very quick, very rare car.
 

29. 2004 Range Rover (est: £50-60,000)

If any Range Rover is 4x4 royalty, then BN04 EPU is doubly regal – it was once owned by Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Iconic Auctioneers has tracked down footage of Her Majesty behind the wheel to confirm the car’s royal connection.

As well as a dog guard for the corgis, there are other ‘royal’ extras, such as dual rear-window switches, as well as rear grabhandles for easier entry and exit.

30. 2016 Jaguar F-type Project 7 (est: £110-130,000)

Granted, this is slighter newer than the usual Classic & Sports Car fare, but this definitely ticks the ‘eye-catching’ box.

Just 80 right-hand-drive examples of Jaguar’s F-type Project 7 were made. With 567bhp (25bhp more than the F-type R) and a 45kg (99lb) weight reduction, the Project 7 will accelerate to 60mph in under 4 secs.

This Jaguar has barely turned a wheel, having covered just 488 miles from new.

To find out more about this and the other cars consigned to Iconic Auctioneers’ sale at the Classic Motor Show on 10-12 November 2023, at the NEC Birmingham, please click here.