Gordon Keeble heads enticing Ascot offering

| 14 Apr 2016

A 1964 Gordon-Keeble Coupe is set to star at Coys Ascot auction after being displayed at this year’s Techno Classica in Essen. The car – one of just 99 ever made – is expected to fetch between £70-80,000 when it goes under the hammer on 16 April. 

Any opportunity to purchase a Gordon-Keeble on the open market is rare, but the condition of this particular car makes it a near once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. First owned by an astronomer from Cheshire, the car passed through the hands of renowned collector Michael Erik Mak before eventually being purchased by the vendor in 2003. Before it changed ownership, the Gordon-Keeble had been the subject of a £100,000 restoration involving founder of the Gordon-Keeble Owners’ Club, Ernie Knott and Bugatti specialist Ivan Dutton. 

As well as being the recipient of such a thorough restoration, the car is also fitted with the desirable manual gearbox and will be sold with FIVA papers. It’s got concours history, too, having been shown at Goodwood’s Cartier Style et Luxe event in 2005. 

Also sporting an American V8 and clothed in European bodywork is a 1975 Iso Rivolta Lele. Just 45 examples were configured in right-hand-drive, this being one of the last. Recommissioned by the vendor, the Iso had previously spent 20 years on the Isle of Wight, in which time just 1000 miles were covered.

A Lincoln Green 1973 Range Rover that has been the subject of a full body-off restoration is also likely to cause a stir. Estimated at £20,000, the work included fitting of genuine Land Rover old stock rear quarter panels. 

Just £13,000 more might be enough to bag a 1974 Citroën SM that spent time as an SM Club de France rally car, in which guise it was fitted with Cibie lights, drop-link inertia seatbelts and Roos resin alloy wheels. It also boasts rare orange reversing lights and a sound engine that has benefitted from the attention of a specialist.

Much more curious is a 1979 Peugeot 104, which is offered with no reserve. Until relatively recently the orange hatchback had been in the stewardship of the Stondon Museum, and appears to be in remarkable condition. It’s had just two owners throughout its life and comes with an MoT valid until August. It could go for a song.