JLR's affordable classics sale: The highlights

80 years of motoring history in one sale

The biggest car auctions tend to be stuffed with £1M-plus supercars and historically significant vintage models. But this one bucks the trend by focusing on affordable classics – and it's all the more interesting for it.

This stunning collection of more than 200 items – classic cars, pedal cars, memorabilia and even boats – is all part of a massive haul bought by Jaguar Land Rover from uber-collector Dr James Hull a few years ago.

Now JLR is flogging a large part of the hoard, with the sale being hosted by Brightwells at Bicester Heritage next month.

What's more, the entire collection will be offered with no reserve – meaning you could pick up quite a bargain for yourself.  

Here's our pick of the many, many fascinating vehicles up for grabs.

Reliant Ferguson 4x4 Prototype (1972)

This is definitely one of the most interesting cars in the entire collection: the sole existing prototype of a 4WD Reliant Scimitar GTE. If you bought this, you really would be the only person in the world to own one.

Reliant Ferguson 4x4 Prototype (continued)

OK, so it's in far from pristine condition, both in terms of the bodywork and the interior – but let's just say it again: this is a one-of-a-kind car.  

Borgward Isabella Coupé (1960)

Borgward, the company behind this gorgeous coupé, went bust a year after this particular car was built.

Borgward Isabella Coupé (cont.)

There's plenty of work to be done, but the model enjoys a strong club following, particularly in Germany.

If you become the winning bidder, be sure to attend next year's Bremen Classic Motorshow, which takes place in Bordward's home town.

Austin 1300 GT (1972)

The hot version of Britain’s best-selling car in the period, it was good for all of 70bhp, but we’d have this for those dinky alloys alone.

Austin 1300 GT (cont.)

Variants of the badge-engineered ADO16 were offered from Austin, MG, Morris, Riley, Vandel Plas and Wolseley, with the most prolific models the Austin 1100 and Morris 1100.

But we'd take this 1300GT any day of the week.

Citroën CX Familiale (1983)

This is the seven-seater version of Citroën's much-loved – and widely sold – CX, and it appears to be in excellent condition.

Citroën CX Familiale (cont.)

The interior barely appears to have been touched, and with around 43,000 miles on the clock it's not been driven that much either.

Ford Zodiac Estate Auto (1970)

The MkIV Zodiac estate conversions were carried out by Farnham, while power came via Ford's 3-litre Essex V6.

Ford Zodiac Estate Auto (cont.)

The Zodiac could reach 60mph in a little over 13 seconds. No fireball, but it outperformed its 3.3-litre rival, the Vauxhall Viscount.

Austin A30 Countryman

What we might now call a crossover of the A30 saloon, the Countryman was built between 1952 and 1956.

Austin A30 Countryman (cont.)

Originally offered in two- and four-door variants, van and Countryman models followed in 1954.

As you can see from this interior shot, none of the iterations were the last word in luxury. In fact, there was only one windscreen wiper and only the drivers had a sun visor. An extra wiper and sun visor were eventually added to the options list, along with a heater.

Mercedes-Benz 280CE Coupé (1982)

The Mercedes-Benz W123 was one of the firm's most successful models, selling 2.7 million examples by the time it was replaced in 1985.

Fewer than 100,000 of those were coupés, making this one something of a rarity.

Mercedes-Benz 280CE Coupé (cont.)

This example's got 90,000 miles on the clock, but that's nothing for a W123, which are famed for their bulletproof reliability and rugged build quality.

No wonder they were – and still are – so popular as taxis.

Renault Caravalle (1968)

This sports car was made between 1958 and '68, and was also known in some territories as the Renault Floride.

The Pietro Frua-penned Caravelle borrowed its floor pan and engine from the Dauphine.

Renault Caravalle (cont.)

This model appears to be a 500L, which joined the lineup in 1968 and featured a number of improvements over earlier designs, notably conventionally opening doors rather than 'suicide' versions, plus a more modern interior.

Fiat 500 (1972)

This Fiat 500 has only 21,000 miles on the clock, and is described as an "easy project to get back on the road".

Fiat 500 (cont.)

There are signs of wear and tear inside and out, but we've seen far worse.

Peugeot 402 (1938)

One of the oldest cars in the collection, this Peugeot 402 dates from 1938. A tempting proposition to bring up to 'oily rag' condition, and to preserve that wonderful patina.

Peugeot 402 (cont.)

The interior looks like it will need a bit more work, but everything seems to be complete, with no major components missing – surely half the battle when tackling the restoration of a rare car.

FSO 125P Estate (1990)

This Polish car was a modified version of the Fiat 125, sold in the European country between 1967 and 1991.

The Polski-Fiat/FSO had been exported to the UK since 1975, and at just £3099 became the cheapest car for sale in the country by 1991.

FSO 125P Estate (cont.)

If you want to start an Eastern Bloc car collection, this wouldn’t be the worst place to start. It looks like it’ll need a bit of work, but it doesn't appear to be in terrible condition inside or out.

Given its right-hand-drive configuration, it's a safe bet this car was sold new in the UK.

Rover SD1 3500 (1977)

The European Car of the Year in 1977, the SD1 was hit hard by quality problems, and the SD1 is now a rare sight on UK roads.

More than 300,000 examples were built between 1976 and 1986, and the model became popular both with police forces and racing drivers.

Andy Rouse famously won the 1984 British Saloon Car Championship at the wheel of an SD1, while Steve Soper took the chequer in the RAC Tourist Trophy a year earlier.

Rover SD1 3500 (cont.)

This example has 36,056 miles show on the clock and comes in a rather fetching brown finish.

From the outside, the SD1 has a hint of Ferrari 365GTB/4 'Daytona', but inside it's all Rover.

MG Metro Turbo (1989)

This car’s reputation is imperfect, but this example looks tidy enough. And it does have red seatbelts.

MG Metro Turbo (cont.)

The clock shows 61,000 miles, and the interior is in pretty good shape.

The red trim is reminiscent of Peugeot's 205GTI.

Vauxhall Chevette 2300 HS (1978)

Just 400 examples of this homologation special were made. It features a 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine, good for 135bhp.

Vauxhall Chevette 2300 HS (cont.)

This example could do with a bit of TLC, but who couldn't love that tartan interior?

Austin Metro Vanden Plas (1988)

We love the two-tone paintwork, but the collapsed Hydragas suspension suggests this particular car has been sitting for some time.

Austin Metro Vanden Plas (cont.)

Remarkably clean interior reflects this car's low milage: it's covered just over 31,000 miles since 1988.

Ford Corsair V4 1700 (1966)

It's not the super-rare convertible or coupé model, but this Ford Corsair V4 is still a striking example of '60s design.

Ford Corsair V4 1700 (cont.)

Both the interior and exterior look in pretty good shape given the car's age, and it's packed with period touches such as this wonderful bench seat.

Mercedes-Benz 320CE Cabriolet (1993)

The Mercedes W124 has aged incredibly well, as proven by this well-specced straight-six convertible.

Mercedes-Benz 320CE Cabriolet (cont.)

With just 39,155 miles on the clock, a recent MoT and near-spotless interior, it looks certain to make its new owner very happy.

Austin A40 Sports (1952)

The convertible version of the A40, despite its name it was more a tourer than an out-and-out sports car.

Austin A40 Sports (cont.)

The inside shows some (to be expected) wear and tear, but we love the classic radio. There's a second model also up for sale in this auction. 

Goggomobil T Sedan (1960)

Goggomobil was a German microcar maker, that existed between 1955 and 1969. This car featured a rear-mounted 245cc air-cooled two-stroke straight twin engine, good for 14bhp.

Goggomobil T Sedan (cont.)

This rare soft-top is a big project, but could there be spares to go along with the car? Cardboard boxes are always a good sign!

Hillman Super Minx Convertible (1965)

Convertible version of the Super Minx made by the Rootes group.

Hillman Super Minx Convertible (cont.)

The interior of this Super Minx seems to be in good shape, and a pile of documents on the passenger seat is encouraging.

Morris Ital Camper Van (1983)

The Morris Ital is not generally regarded as one of the best cars ever. However this example does give you the added benefit of sleeping and living space, and not many cars do that.

Morris Ital Camper Van (cont.)

The interior appears to be in fairly good condition, and it'll certainly give you plenty of cupboard space!

Vanden Plas Princess 1300 (1968)

Posh version of the big-selling Austin 1300, the interior was genuinely special if not quite deserving of the ‘mini Rolls-Royce’ description occasionally given to it.

Vanden Plas Princess (cont.)

Your writer’s granny had one, and changed his first gearshift on it. The rear picnic tables are a particular delight and the plush interior seems to have been cared for.

Rover P6 3500 Auto Estate (1974)

This exceptionally rare estate model was produced by Battersea-based FLM Panalecraft, and dubbed Estoura.

Rover P6 3500 Auto Estate (cont.)

It features the venerable Buick-derived V8 and has just over 56,000 miles on the clock.

Vauxhall Velox Estate (1960)

Marketed as a large family car, the Velox was built between 1948 and 1965, but this estate version is relatively rare.

Vauxhall Velox Estate (cont.)

This example looks to be in good shape, and we're big, big fans of the colour scheme. You certainly won't see many other cars on the road looking like this.

Morris Marina 1.3 Coupe Deluxe (1974)

Is this a classic or just an old car in a courageous colour? The market will decide.

Morris Marina 1.3 Coupe Deluxe (cont.)

That interior couldn't really be more '70s without the addition of some bushy sideburns and platform shoes.

Riva style Piantoni Runabout Boat (c. 1960)

And finally, something a little bit different – yes, it's a boat.

Riva style Piantoni Runabout Boat (cont.)

We'll be honest, we don't know a lot about boats. But maybe we'll buy this one and start learning.