Classic wheels at affordable prices
If classic motoring is your dream – especially with summer and the lifting of COVID restrictions hopefully on the way – but you don’t have a six-figure sum to spend, worry not.
We’ve found 10 classic cars for sale this weekend, all of which could be bought for £10,000 or less, according to their pre-sale estimates. Yes, there are plenty of much more pricey cars in this auction, but dig a little deeper and you might be surprised at what you find.
Of course, we’re not saying that all will be cheap to run and that they’ll need no work, investment over time will be required, but that is part and parcel of running a classic.
What’s more, all are for sale at the Bonhams MPH auction at Bicester Heritage in Oxfordshire this Saturday, 22 May 2021. So if you like what you see, you’ll have to get your skates on!
1. 1969 Fiat 500L (est: £5-8000)
A Fiat 500L never fails to put a smile on our face and this eye-catching example is being offered with no reserve at Saturday’s sale.
It has previously been restored and is said to still present well, with good bodywork and an operational sunroof.
1969 Fiat 500L (cont.)
Yes, that interior is quite sudden, isn’t it? And according to the auction house, as well as being in good condition, this blue Alcantara trim is unique.
The catch here is that the engine currently doesn’t run and the wiring needs some attention. ‘This lovely example offers great potential as an enjoyable classic runabout,’ says Bonhams MPH.
2. 1973 Triumph Stag (est: £8-12,000)
The wind in your hair as the sun beats down, accompanied by a V8 soundtrack – what could be better?
This garage-stored example is going under the hammer with Bonhams MPH on Saturday, it has been with its present owner since 2013, it’s been regularly serviced and driven, and is said to go very nicely.
1973 Triumph Stag (cont.)
It has done more than 126,000 miles, so its next owner can enjoy it without fear of adding to that total.
The driver’s seat will need some stitching and TLC, but other than that it is ready to be enjoyed.
3. 1937 Vauxhall GY 25 (est: £7-10,000)
Who says you can’t get a rare classic car on a budget? Around 6800 GY 25s were built by Vauxhall between 1937 and 1940, but today there are thought to be just 21 here in the UK, 48 in the world.
It is also believed that this car’s first owner was, at the time of purchase, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Cosmo Gordon Lang.
What’s more it has appeared in films including 1984’s Lassiter, Empire of the Sun released in 1987 and London Belongs To Me of 1948.
1937 Vauxhall GY 25 (cont.)
It has had one owner for the last three decades and today is described as being in ‘original condition’.
Power comes from a 3215cc straight-six that musters all of 25hp and the interior could do with a spruce-up, but with this classic you’ll certainly turn heads when you turn up at a car show, festival or meet.
4. 1990 BMW 320i Convertible (est: £8-12,000)
Lovely E30 lines, a smooth six-cylinder engine and space for four, meaning you can enjoy the roof-down experience with loved ones.
You might have to stretch your £10k budget a touch if bidding heats up, but this seems a strong prospect.
1990 BMW 320i Convertible (cont.)
This example has recently received a new soft-top, meaning it will look great roof up or down, and it has had a cambelt change.
Inside the cabin is trimmed in a chequered grey cloth and it has an automatic gearbox, perfect for lazy summertime cruising.
5. 1967 Morris Minor 1000 Traveller (est: £6-8000)
If you need a practical classic, could this be it?
It’s a 70,500-mile Traveller that has had just two owners in its 54 years, and that was restored between 2012 and 2015.
1967 Morris Minor 1000 Traveller (cont.)
That is its original wood frame, while the new tyres wrap around freshly powder-coated wheels.
Inside, its original red upholstery is in good condition, other than a small rip on the driver’s seat.
The brakes and carbs were recommissioned and the car serviced in October 2019, but it now hasn’t been used for a year, so might need some gentle TLC, but Bonhams MPH describes it as ‘an honest example that offers potential for use as a fun classic runabout’.
6. 2000 Mazda MX-5 Sport (est: £3-5000)
That doesn’t seem a whole lot of money for the amount of fun you’re sure to get from behind the wheel of this low-mile, one-owner and apparently very well cared for Mazda MX-5.
How few miles? 25,000, so there’s tonnes of enjoyment left to be had.
The second-generation (NB) cars are sometimes seen as the least visually attractive MX-5s, but that is open to opinion and the driving pleasure certainly lives up to the model’s hype.
2000 Mazda MX-5 Sport (cont.)
This example is a Sport, the first limited-edition run offered for the Mk2s, of which it’s thought 600 were produced. Extras include a detachable hardtop, a colour-coded bodykit, 15-inch five-spoke alloys, a Nardi three-spoke steering wheel and rear mud flaps.
Inside, the leather interior has a two-tone black and blue finish, which sits well with the car’s navy paintjob.
7. 1937 Ford Model Y (est: £4-6000)
From that 2000 MX-5 we’re rewinding 63 years to our next sub-£10k pick from Bonhams MPH’s 22 May sale – and it is being offered without reserve.
The model was designed in the US but built in the UK at Dagenham, and the auction house says the body and interior present very well.
1937 Ford Model Y (cont.)
While outside it is black with subtle red detailing, inside the latter takes over and the simple, compact cabin indeed looks to be in fine condition.
This car has done fewer than 40,000 miles and it will be sold with some parts, which could be useful for the winning bidder.
8. 1966 Triumph Herald (est: £10-12,000)
It looks like you’ll have to stretch your £10k budget if you’re to land the winning bid on this Herald – but it might just be worth it.
This example has a mere 12,685 miles on its odometer, while its red paint suits those Giovanni Michelotti lines perfectly.
1966 Triumph Herald (cont.)
Inside there’s a black-leather-trimmed cabin and even red cushions for the rear-seat occupants.
It is said to run and drive just as it should. Indeed, Bonhams MPH thinks so highly of this car that it has given it full marks in its online vendor rating – impressive.
9. 1971 Fiat 124 Special T (est: £3-5000)
This ‘very original’, Italian-registered, left-hand drive Fiat 124 comes to auction with Bonhams MPH this weekend without reserve – and let’s hope it finds a happy new home.
It is a Special T model, which means it’s powered by an uprated version of the 1.4-litre twin-cam engine.
1971 Fiat 124 Special T (cont.)
It has spent the last few years in a private collection and hasn’t been run much, so will need some fettling before it hits the road.
There’s a big scratch on the bootlid, but otherwise its paint, bodywork and interior are reported to be in good order, and in its half a century it has done 73,000km – that’s around 45,000 miles.
10. 1972 Vanden Plas Princess 1300 Mk3 (est: £4-6000)
Also being offered with no reserve this weekend is this 52,000-mile Princess, with the 1.3-litre engine and four-speed automatic gearbox.
This delightfully period Harvest Gold specimen has recently been restored.
1972 Vanden Plas Princess 1300 Mk3 (cont.)
The ’70s vibe continues inside with its Olive interior, and according to the vendor this car runs well and drives nicely.
All the cars featured here are going under the hammer with Bonhams MPH in its May auction at Bicester Heritage in Oxfordshire that starts at 1pm (BST) on Saturday 22 May 2021. To see the full lot list, please click here.