Lost classics and big cats head Brightwells sale

Auctions
 | 2 May 2013

A 1954 Jaguar XK140 tops a lot list that includes a host of desirable projects at Brightwells’ upcoming sale in Leominster on 15 May.

Having been subject to a nut-and-bolt restoration by its current owner in 2010, the XK140 Roadster carries a guide price of £68-72,000.

It comes with receipts for work that included being converted to right-hand drive (having been sourced from Arizona), a new Broadsport five-speed gearbox, an engine rebuild, an unleaded fuel conversion and uprated brakes, which included fitting front discs.

The bodywork and panelfit is said to be ‘superb’ and the car sits on its original steel wheels.

The interior has been retrimmed in beige leather and it comes with a new hood and sidescreens.

While the XK140 may be too pricey for some – the C&SC office included – a 1978 XJ6C makes a desirable alternative with an estimate of £6-7000.

Arguably offering all the glamour of its older sister, the pillerless coupé adds to it with a healthy dose of four-seater practicality.

With a 245bhp 4.2-litre ‘six’, there’s performance on tap, too, and the car has been treated to a substantial refurbishment that included a respray and an interior makeover.

There’s also a rare 1961 BMW 700 saloon that spent more than 30 years in sunny Malta before being shipped to the UK in 1992.

It has been dry-stored and barely used since and is billed as ‘one of the most original examples in existence’.

The car was invited to the Goodwood Revival as part of the  paddock display in 2012 and is MoT’d until November, although some precautionary recommissioning is advised.

A barnfind-condition 1948 Singer Nine Roadster that is estimated at £2-3000 offers an altogether different proposition.

More than 40-years’ worth of dirt and grime are said to hide sound bodywork and an engine that still turns with good oil-pressure readings.

While there’s no hood to speak of, the interior was retrimmed prior to storage and should be in decent condition.

For £1000-1500 (estimate) apiece, you can choose from two more projects in the shape of a 1948 Daimler DE27 Limousine (above) and a 1947 Hillman Minx Mk1 saloon (below).

The latter starts, runs and drives, but has been in storage for many years.

Little is known about the Daimler, which comes from a deceased estate, but the interior is said to be in good condition, with a fully operational partition.

A sticking bonnet latch has prevented a proper mechanical assessment, however.

The sale includes several MGBs such as a GT that was in the long-term ownership of an MGOC member and now needs recommissioning, but looks great and is estimated to make £1500-1800.

A Roadster, which has covered 4000 miles since a £12k restoration, is estimated to make £9-11,000.

But if you’re after cheap performance, it is hard to see past the thrills offered by an MoT’d 1984 TVR Tasmin 350i V8 that could be yours for as little as £1500.

If you’ve been tempted by the Buyer’s guide in our latest issue, there’s a smart 1984 Ferrari Mondial qv – apparently only one of nine in black – that’s covered just 46,000 miles and comes with a raft of bills. It carries an estimate of £13-15k.

And if that’s too much, there’s a black 1981 Porsche 911SC targa. It has 165,000 miles on the clock, with bodywork ‘that needs some tidying’, but comes with a fresh ticket and is reckoned to make just £5-6000.

The full lot list can be viewed on Brightwells’ website.