A Jaguar XJ220 prototype that had been estimated to make £150-180,000 in the past sold for just £72,800 when it went under the hammer at no reserve on 24 July.
Finding a new home at H and H’s Pavilion Gardens sale in Buxton, the Jag had a colourful past having served time as a test mule for the twin-turbocharged supercar’s brakes and tyres.
This XJ220, which is shorter, narrower and lighter than the production version, then went on show at the company’s factory in Bloxham in time for a visit by Princess Diana and featured in C&SC’s July issue.
Representing another – but more affordable – bargain was a 1990 Lotus Elan M100 that went for only £1680.
By no means concours, it was nonetheless sold as having ‘no major mechanical or electrical faults’ and, with a bit of work, offered someone a usable example of one of the world’s best-handling front-wheel-drive cars.
Topping the sale was a 1936 Bentley 4¼-litre special that made £107,350.
It was created for ‘touring and the occasional hillclimb’ during a rebuild carried out in 2000 in which the chassis was shortened by 12in. The suspension, steering, brakes and original engine were also overhauled.
Another headline lot was a 1957 AC Aceca Bristol, which had been retro-fitted with a 2.6-litre Ford Zephyr engine and sold for £61,600.
Numerous fast Fords went under the hammer at the auction, too, but it was Cosworths that ruled the day with an Escort and two Sierras finding new homes.
A rear-wheel-drive Sapphire with just 23,649 miles on the clock went for £14,560, while this classic three-door went for a commanding £18,480.
The Escort came with an interesting story having, like so many of its breed, fallen victim to thieves. It was recovered by police and then left sitting for 10 years while insurers negotiated a settlement. Classed as a Category D, the Cossie was inspected by Kempters Ford, which assured the vendor that all the panels were original and it had not been accident damaged.
The car’s history – and lack of an MoT – probably contributed to a sale price of £11,200, despite it being subject to a £10k restoration.
See the full results from the sale on H and H’s website.
