Barn-finds, competition cars and rarities at Silverstone sale

| 12 Sep 2014

A famous 1970s racer, several barn-finds and a few uncommon classics are set to cross the block at Silverstone Auctions' 20 September sale, which takes place in The Wing building at the Northamptonshire circuit.

A 1971 Ginetta G15 heads the competition contingent. The car was campaigned by David Beams in 1977, winning that year's Certina Swiss Watch Production Sports Championship, as well as picking up a class win in the Silverstone Production Sports Car Championship. It won 17 races from 19 starts during that season, but was best known for a close fought victory over Martin Birrane's Jaguar E-type at Brands Hatch. 

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The car was fully restored in 1989 and is expected to sell for £9-12,000. 

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A barn-find Aston Martin DBS is also set to draw a lot of attention, especially as it's still covered in a thick layer of grime from years spent locked in a barn. It's last MoT was issued in 1986, with the engine started regularly up until 10 years ago. The 1970 car is sold for restoration, and could fetch as much as £24,000. 

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Not everything in the sale has a big price tag: a 1956 Split Screen Morris Minor could be yours for as little as £2000. A reconditioned 948cc engine was fitted in 1974 and the car has also been restored, in addition to receiving fresh plugs, hoses and brake pads prior to its sale. 

Owned by the same family for most of its life, it looks like a potential bargain. 

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Also looking like good value is a 1986 Morgan 4/4, which is estimated at £14-16,000. The roadster has covered just 56,500 miles, and was fitted with a new engine in 1995. A thorough history file has been maintained. 

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One of just two right-hand-drive Steyr-Puch 500s is also expected to sell well. The Fiat 500-based Austrian classic is exceptionally rare in right-hand-drive guise and remains in good condition following an older restoration. Suicide doors set it apart from later models. 

It is estimated at £15-18,000. 

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A 1982 Lynx Eventer is also rare: it sports conversion number 002 and was the first of its kind to be sold. The car was used extensively in period press material, as well as a number of magazine articles. Despite the glossy images that will be included in the sale, the Eventer has seen better days. It is described as being 'in need of restoration' following 15 years in storage. It is expected to achieve up to £30,000. 

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A 1968 Porsche 912 'Outlaw' isn't one for the purists, but it does look a tempting proposition if you can overlook the non-original 911T engine. Aside from some easily reversible modifications, such as the addition of Cookie Cutter wheels, the car seems to be in original, solid condition. It could be a great rolling restoration or usable classic, and a shrewd buy at the bottom of its £16-20,000 estimate. 

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The brave may be tempted by the sale's second barn-find – a 1978 Aston Martin V8 Series III. The previously well-loved classic changed hands in 1999, when it was placed into long-term storage until March 2014. It would be quite an undertaking to return to its former condition, which is reflected in the no reserve offering. 

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Later Ferraris have been performing well at auction this year, suggesting that a group of 308s in this sale may follow suit. The first, a 1978 GTB, has spent a number of years in storage, but appears to require only light recommissioning. It is estimated at £45-55,000. 

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The second example, a GTS from the same year, is estimated at the same money. Unlike the first car, the GTS has never stood for any length of time, and a long MoT should reassure potential bidders: it looks ready to go. 

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The third car is also a GTS from '78, and looks like the bargain of the bunch at just £30-35,000. Its left-hand-drive configuration and less popular black paintwork contribute to the lower estimate, which makes it a good potential investment if you're not too fussy. Again, a fresh MoT is a good sign, as is a recent inspection at Foskers Engineering. 

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The later car, an '85 GTS Quattrovalve, is also the most expensive – it could fetch as much as £90,000. As well as being a desirable model, the car has covered just over 10,000 miles and is in superb condition. 

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A more affordable slice of Italian flair is offered by a 1971 Fiat 124 Sport Spider. The car featured in Classic & Sports Car in May 2013, and has since undergone a number of improvement, including a brake overhaul and suspension rebuild. It is estimated at £12-15,000.

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An Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider offers even greater value for money, with a lower estimate of just £7000. The 1975 car started out life in Dutch Blue, but was later changed to Rosso Alfa Red. It's got just 52,000 miles on the clock.